Re: Narrow Gauge Memories, Then and Now...

It's also interesting how easily one could replicate the old scene. Except for the missing wool warehouse, most of the difference is the Friends' "camp cars" which could more or less easily be moved if there were a will to replicate what was. Hopfully the completion of a real CRF in Chama will facilitate the transformation of this area from a de facto CRF back to being a train yard and engine facility as it was in DRGW days.

One of the neat things about Chama is it is a simple terminal, that provides a perfect opportunity to show visitors why the tracks were the way they are, and what their purpose was in terms of making up east and westbound trains, and getting locomotives into and out of the servicing facility. Back in 2000, on a slow day, we had some fun reorganizing the yard so that there was a westbound Durango train made up on one track, and an eastbound Cumbres turn waiting on another. And we even got some tanks spotted at the loading rack, although cleaning the junk out was the hardest work of the day.

But one must also acknowlege this de facto CRF has seen some abolutely amazing feats of historic restoration take place, so the temporary transformation has had some very significant benefits.

JBW



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/2007 12:15AM by John West.