Re: The good old days on the C&TS and D&S

Interesting group of photos. The May 1993 was my trip. You mentioned it was the only one of the recreation trips to have 3 engines operated like the old days. Not quite true. The previous October 1992, John Craft added a Friday 3-engine train between the 2 weekends. We had 487 and 484 on the point as I recall, and 497 back by the caboose. I was John's assistant on the 1992 trip. I recognize those mid-train shots out of Antonito. He had arranged for folks to ride on a flat car on that run, and I rode with 2 other guys and a brakemen after we left MP 289. Unique shot riding ahead of 484, and behind 497 up to Whiplash.

John originally planned one weekend for these trips. Then when he got more and more folks wanting tickets, he opened up another weekend. Then he thought if there was enough interest he would offer the rare afternoon train Chama to Cumbres. That was the one with the 3 engines. My May trip in 1993 had 3 engines as far as a Lobato Trestle runby, whereby 497 blew a cylinder ring or some such. They had to remove the engine and limp back to Chama. Thus we had 2 engines after that.

Too bad you did not stay for Sunday Afternoon. There were some really nice reflection shots to be had with a little pond at the west switch of Lobato siding. The train was switched around with 487 heading back into the sun(West), since it had gone out light to form a meet as if it were a helper coming down from Cumbres. I remember Nils Huxtable was raving about all the calendar shots he was getting from this trip. Too bad it was so limited due to the soft track below Cresco.
Greg