Re: C & TS Season *PIC*

I agree, but I guess I was essentially recognizing the fact that it had been used in the past. I didn't say it was a GOOD choice.
Back in 1997, Les Jarrett and I did a 2-day charter deal after the Rotary Ran. We wanted to shoot AHEAD of the train, and thus did two trips up the pass from Chama to Cumbres. In the morning we used 484 and 4 passenger cars, and in the Afternoon 10 freight cars with 484. Originally we had discussed using a speeder, as a platform for the camera, but there was no way it was going to be sufficient for the tripod, plus it was going to be rather noisy perhaps.
So, they said the price for another steam engine would essentially be an all-day helper rate. That was pushing our already strapped financial budget for this weirdness, so someone quoted us a lower price to use 19, which we accepted. It pulled one coach which I used as a means to mount the tripod and camera on the rear platform.
Anyway, the 19 was pretty rough at times, and there were a few times I didn't think it was going to make it. The actually had to back off the 484 a couple of times because of it.
So, I guess its good for work train duty, especially on the east side from Antonito but its no mountain climber thats for sure! Had we been given a second engine for the same price as 19, well you know what we would have done. Still it was an interesting outing.
Greg Scholl