Re: Fifty years ago today on the C&TS, June 26, 1971 -- Part 6
| June 26, 2021 08:48AM |
Going through the S curve between mileposts 288 and 287, with the light getting toward late afternoon.
After a stop to run-up the US, New Mexico and Colorado colors ala 1970, the train is going through the US 285 grade crossing toward the brand-new Antonito depot. The school buses are parked for the return to Chama via Hwy. 17.
Just before stopping, a large local crowd is on-hand for the event. A brisk afternoon wind is blowing, the Antonito irrigation ditch is flowing full, and one of the crew is running on the roof walk toward the front of the train.
Taken from across the irrigation ditch, the nine-car train has stopped at the depot, past the first switch of the new wye. Behind are a speeder and motor MW02 which was used regularly in the first few years. One of the newly converted passenger cars has not received any paint yet. In the distance on the left is the string of equipment that spent the winter in Antonito on the D&RGW track next to the highway. The string of high-side gons, 494-495, and rotary OY have been moved onto the new C&TS spur across the ditch. The light-colored ground in front of the white Chevy is all that remains of the D&RGW connection (people can be seen standing around on the rails just above the car).
Tomorrow is the return train...
After a stop to run-up the US, New Mexico and Colorado colors ala 1970, the train is going through the US 285 grade crossing toward the brand-new Antonito depot. The school buses are parked for the return to Chama via Hwy. 17.
Just before stopping, a large local crowd is on-hand for the event. A brisk afternoon wind is blowing, the Antonito irrigation ditch is flowing full, and one of the crew is running on the roof walk toward the front of the train.
Taken from across the irrigation ditch, the nine-car train has stopped at the depot, past the first switch of the new wye. Behind are a speeder and motor MW02 which was used regularly in the first few years. One of the newly converted passenger cars has not received any paint yet. In the distance on the left is the string of equipment that spent the winter in Antonito on the D&RGW track next to the highway. The string of high-side gons, 494-495, and rotary OY have been moved onto the new C&TS spur across the ditch. The light-colored ground in front of the white Chevy is all that remains of the D&RGW connection (people can be seen standing around on the rails just above the car).
Tomorrow is the return train...
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
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