Greg Scholl Wrote:
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> Sharrod Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Q: why are there two cabees?
>
> Could be because one was left on the cars they
> left at Cumbres and one was taken with one of the
> engines back to Chama.
> Remember in his comments Olaf stated they did an
> afternoon "Hill Turn" to complete the movement of
> freight to Cumbres. So the other caboose was
> probably used
> for the second part of the train going from Chama
> to Cumbres. At that point two things could have
> happened. (1) The caboose was added to the end of
> the train at Cumbres
> and with both sections of freight the road engine
> took all of it east to Alamosa, with the helper
> engine running ahead light. (2) The helper engine
> kept the caboose from the second
> hill turn, and (a) Returned to Chama with it, or
> more likely took the caboose with it light to
> Alamosa ahead of the main train. This would have
> meant less switching at Cumbres as well.
>
I do not believe operations took place as you suggest.
As I indicated in response to original question the second caboose (next to train) would have been used to take section men from Chama to Cumbres.
There they would be used to clean snow from switch points.
Train crews did not clean snow from switch points and section men did not line switches for train operations.
As can be seen in photos both cabooses are lined up for return to Chama, section men needing to return to Chama.
Light engines were not permitted to move equipment between Cumbres and Alamosa, or other locations. Conductors would be required for that to take place and movement no longer light engine.
(I would add that there were certain situations where it was necessary for train crews to clean snow from switch points, but not in this case.)

Jimmy