Re: C&TS - May, 1981

488 was the first locomotive in steam that spring. In the last week of May, after her rods got re-brassed. shined up and installed, Mark Yeamans fired her up and made a mid-afternoon run up to Cumbres to check out his handiwork. I was busy in the shop trying to figure out how 489's valve gear went back together. After work, I drove up the hill and found them at the stand pipe at Cumbres.


Here Mark is checking around 488. Looks like Marvin Casias was Mark's fireman that day.


Dropping down the hill at MP 336 long after the sun set behind the hills. Next year that little spot of bare ballast behind 488 would be the location of the ground slip and track location today known as "Kyle's Kink".



Arriving back in Chama in the last light of the day. In 1981, 487 was on flue extension. This required the smokebox to be opened up every year to remove the bottom two flues out of the boiler. It also required removing of the snow plow. It was decided to move 487's plow to the 488, while 487 got 488's pilot. 488, with the wood beam plow, only lasted through the 1981 season, so shots of her with the plow are a bit rare. Check out those shiny rods!