dougvv Wrote:
=======================================================
> Hi,
>
> If I recall correctly, there was mention of the
> problems of Lava not being functional in one of
> the freight charters. I lost my tapes when moving
> but I think it was on the 5 day freight charter in
> the 1990s.
>
That would probably be the John Craft Charters of October 1992.
These were I believe the first ones to use a mid-train helper out of Antonito since D&RGW days, thus the concern for no active water tank at Lava. As I eluded to in another post we did 3 runbys between Antonito and Sublette....(1) Just outside Antonito at low light, (2) Milepost 289, and (3)Whiplash Curve. The next was at Sublette, but I believe it was after taking water. From there the train ran as a doubleheader, and only made perhaps 2 runbys between Sublette and Osier. I believe on the first weekend they did Rock Tunnel and 1 other, but I was not on that one. The last trip, which I was on, we didn't do a runby with the doubleheader that I recall. At Osier we went back to the mid-train helper and did 4 runbys(2) west of Los Pinos, Los Pinos tank, and Tanglefoot as the shadows crept in....we just made it. We did an extra runby at Los Pinos. I remember shooting the first one, then getting back on the train, only to find they were doing another one. So I stayed in the caboose cuploa and shot from there!
Just a bit of history here. John advertised these in Railfan Magazine, as the "Ultimate Rio Grande Freights". There was one weekend advertised, with Saturday rear pusher Chama-Cumbres, then single engine to Antonito. Sunday, mid-train helper(with different engine) Antonito to Chama(helper off at Cumbres). The response was so good that a second weekend was booked. I believe the limit was 30-35 patrons per weekend.
In some cases a few bought tickets for both weekends. So, John decided to try something different by scheduling an afternoon 3-engine freight doing a Cumbres turn, the friday before the last weekend. I believe this was 497, 487, and 484. Two engine up front, and one rear pusher which was normal practice for 3-engine trains(not tripleheaders). We rode this train(which left around 1:30), Chama to the second crossing. There buses hauled us to the Coxo Crossing and we walked quite a ways toward the curve(Maybe half way). Waiting for the sun to pop out the train made a long runby past our position and continued non-stop around Windy point in glinting sunlight on to Cumbres. Rarely do you get to photograph trains in the afternoon on the 4% to Cumbres.
Good Times!!!
> With no water available at Lava, the locos had to
> be derated so they could get to Sublette or
> something like that.
>
> The vandalism issue is assuming there is no
> caretaker at the pump house. How far is the pump
> house from Antonito and is there room for a house
> trailer on the pump house property?
>
> Just curious.
>
> Doug vV
