Re: C&TS 1977

Earl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Worthington Duplex pumps were set up for fire
> fighting, steam being provided by the plumbing
> that fed the doghouse heaters. Both 484 and 487
> had pumps. Don't remember whether 483 had one.
> The Chama water tank was out of service. There
> had been a steel tank installed sometime in the
> 1970's but it was never made functional. It
> wasn't until 1982 or so the tank was returned to
> service. Until that time the tenders were filled
> overnight with garden hoses. Knowing the
> frailties of the Chama Municipal Water System,
> rigging up the tank car for water might have been
> a solution.
>
> I don't know where the funding came from for all
> the improvements. There was a lot of Economic
> Development Act grants rolling around then, might
> have been one of those.
>
> Scenic Rys had developed a long term master plan
> for the C&TS which included a new facility in
> Antonito and a major backshop constructed in
> Chama, down beyond the wye. There were major
> projects for Chama, Osier, & Cumbres. Only
> problem was - who was going to foot the bill?
> Once it came apparent that the revenues of running
> trains were not going to pay for any capital
> improvements, the RR Authority (as it was known
> then) started going for Government funding. Of
> all the grand projects proposed for the C&TS, only
> the Antonito Yard ever came to fruition. When
> money came available for a small 2 track shop, it
> was decided to built it up the yard, not down
> where the hoped-for backshop was to be
> constructed. This was probably done because to
> the need to utilize the current engine house for
> its machine shop and other facilities. With the
> construction of new engine shop, the dream for a
> recreation of the Alamosa backshop faded away.

Thanks Earl, would have been neat to see a real backshop built in Antonito, but with the new Friends structure and what they are doing is a good substitute.

William
aka drgwk37