We are pleased to announce a very special charter on the C&TS this fall. This will be a one-day charter to pick-up open-range cattle at three locations along the railroad. These will be authentic cattle, with authentic owners, on authentic D&RGW grazing lands.
The day will begin with engine 487 switching empty stock cars to the stock pens in Chama, and loading 2 of the double deck sheep cars, or more if they are servicable by the time this train operates. Then the 487 will bring the loads into the yard, and assemble them with the rest of the train. Road engine 484 will lead the train, expected to require 2 locomotives up the grade to Cumbres, so newly refurbished 488 will be the helper engine.
En route to Cumbres we will stop at Lobato where the cattle from the Juan Gomez cattle company will be loaded into 4-5 stock cars. After this is completed the train will continue to Cumbres.
Participants will chase the two-engine train to Cumbres, and then board a 4 coach train that is waiting. 488 will power the CHASE Train, which will proceed the stock train. 484 will continue east, and a stop will be made at Osier to load the remaining empty stock cars with the fine cattle from the Senor Carlos Llamas spread.
At Osier participants will enjoy a double steak dinner, with REALLY FRESH cuts.
The stock train will continue to Antonito where trucks will be waiting to transport the livestock the rest of the way.
Besides the many photo opportunities from Chama to Cumbres, we plan on 10-15 photo spots selected east of Cumbres, including scenes at Sublette where all the livestock will be "Limed" by the Jeremy Garcia Repellant Company. Ray Martinez and Allan Loomis will be "conducting" the proceedings.
There will be a light snack served of FRESH mutton stew at Sublette during our stop, with campfire cowboy tunes by Earl Knoob, and the two guys from "Deliverance".
A special set-up at Whiplash curve will be a double runby showing the chase train on the lower section and the stock train on the upper level both moving at the same time.
An extra crew will take over at either Osier or Sublette, since this will be a very long day. Arrival in Antonito is expected well after dark.
This will also be the peak colors, so lets hope for a good sunny day. At Antonito, our passenger train will turn on the loop and both locomotives will be serviced. 484 will then handle the passenger train, as we make a night run back to Chama. There will be another stop in Sublette for water, and more guitar pickin music.
A night shot has been arranged for Los Pinos tank for the wee hours of the morning, and arrival in Chama is set for 4-6 am.
This event is for October 1, 2005, and reservations will be handled on a first-come first served basis.
Pricing as follows:
Chama to Antonito $349.95
Antonito to Chama on night train $149.95
Price includes all meals. Tips to sponsor are extra.
Riders with video equipment, that will give their tapes to the sponsor receive a 10% discount.
Still photographers with loud shutters and motordrives will be assesed a 20% surcharge, and will be place 200 feet away from the regular photo lines.
Rider tickets available for $100.00 on each segment. Rider tickets may not take pictures at runby locations.
This trip is going to run for one day only, and is limited to 100 riders. You will have plenty of room to spread out among our 4 coach train. A concession car will also be on the train, and Greg Scholl Videos will be available at twice the normal prices. Purchase is mandatory!!
For any furher details please hesitate to ask.
The staff of "Stock Train 05"
