Re: Adventures on the Narrow Gauge, June '63 to June '64
| March 27, 2020 05:18PM |
My parents drove to Cumbres to pick up my youngest brother Juergen (JR), then age 7, who had joined me on the Chama - Cumbres segment. My other brother, Wolf (Wolfgang) rode in the car, missing out on a great train ride. My dad took a few pictures of the Cumbres approach.
I was definitely enjoying this immensely, riding on one of the open platforms
The ride from Cumbres to Alamosa was definitely mind blowing for someone who had only a vague idea of what to expect. After arriving in Alamosa and after 488 had been put to bed, I checked into the long-gone Victoria Hotel, kitty corner from the depot, for 3 dollars per night. The next day there wasn't any narrow gauge action, so I wandered around Alamosa and checked out the facilities. I would have loved to go to Chama to follow 484 and 498 with the thru run to Alamosa, and maybe even get that cab ride, although there seemed to be no way. But … as I was wandering around near the round house, a photographer drove up. It turned out to be a British rail fan, who had no idea of what was happening on the narrow gauge. I told him that 484 and 498 were coming out of Chama this morning, whereupon we jumped into his car and headed off to Cumbres. We didn't know the timing, and thought we might be too late, but I was still fantasizing about a cab ride on 498. Well, getting to Cumbres, the siding was empty and train was gone.
(to be continued)
I was definitely enjoying this immensely, riding on one of the open platforms
The ride from Cumbres to Alamosa was definitely mind blowing for someone who had only a vague idea of what to expect. After arriving in Alamosa and after 488 had been put to bed, I checked into the long-gone Victoria Hotel, kitty corner from the depot, for 3 dollars per night. The next day there wasn't any narrow gauge action, so I wandered around Alamosa and checked out the facilities. I would have loved to go to Chama to follow 484 and 498 with the thru run to Alamosa, and maybe even get that cab ride, although there seemed to be no way. But … as I was wandering around near the round house, a photographer drove up. It turned out to be a British rail fan, who had no idea of what was happening on the narrow gauge. I told him that 484 and 498 were coming out of Chama this morning, whereupon we jumped into his car and headed off to Cumbres. We didn't know the timing, and thought we might be too late, but I was still fantasizing about a cab ride on 498. Well, getting to Cumbres, the siding was empty and train was gone.
(to be continued)
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.