Steam Train Yard, Chama, NM. Road Trip-2012
Sep 27, 2012 18:15:29 #
This is the Combres & Toltec Rail Road-Yard.
For those of you that dont know, this railroad is jointly owned by the states of New Mexico and Colorado, not privately owned. There are stations in both states and at each end of the route. The Chama end is my favorite as this is where a lot of interesting things are and happen. The big benefit of this is the yards are open to the public.
In Chama, there are signs up saying it is private property, no trespassing. You can go to the ticket window and ask for a self guided yard tour brochure and they will give you one. They only ask that you do not go into the shop as there is an open pit and unsafe for the public. So just, dont go into the shop .
Also, the Chama rail yard is where some very unique equipment is and where restoration is performed. Most if, not all of the restoration is performed by the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. My understanding, of the scope of this organization is to provide docents for the train rides, access condition of rolling stock (various rail cars), organize the volunteers, establish work projects, restore historic items in the rail yards, apply for grants and tract the progress of a grants. I dont know what else they do, Im sure there is more. (Please note, this is how I understand the organization. At this time my interest is not on this part of the operation. How accruate my understanding is, dont bet money on it.)
Im not sure how long the volunteer work season is for the volunteers.
My visit this time to the yard was about for one week and mostly in the mornings as it got a little warm in the afternoon. Wife & I did ride the train on one day.
The Friends are a very friendly bunch of people. Depending on the work at hand, they will stop and tell you what they are working on and answer any questions. They usually, have plenty of time to finish their projects.
Also, this whole area is a historic site and there are rules they have to follow when doing restorations.
Im going to include many of projects observed & ramblings as I post images. Ill mention when Im finished adding posts. Ill keep this under one title just to keep from getting spreadout across the forum.
The Coal Tipple-Several years ago, this structure was leaning and feared it would collapse. Support was added and that stopped any additional leaning. This trip, I was directed to Sam and he brought me up to date for what was going on.
Water was collecting around the base of the tipple and one side of the base was rotting major foundation wood and that caused the leaning. They repaired the problem and over a 2 year period, slowly raised that side of the tipple back to where it should be. The support will remain in position for now. Tipple foundation is repaired with no current leaning.
The doors to the control/engine room of the tipple was open, so I walked up said Hi, whats going on? They were connecting some air lines (another project). Sam showed up and started to explain how the tipple actually, worked. We looked at the controls, motor, gears, how one operated this machine and everything. I started to ask questions and Sam didnt have an answer at that moment. Next day, Sam was glad to see me and we went thru the drive train again. Clutch, reverse, all that stuff. We agreed on how this thing operated and we agreed we could run it. As if anyone would trust us with it ..
I'm starting out with 16 images.
If anyone has questions, ask.
Pat
For those of you that dont know, this railroad is jointly owned by the states of New Mexico and Colorado, not privately owned. There are stations in both states and at each end of the route. The Chama end is my favorite as this is where a lot of interesting things are and happen. The big benefit of this is the yards are open to the public.
In Chama, there are signs up saying it is private property, no trespassing. You can go to the ticket window and ask for a self guided yard tour brochure and they will give you one. They only ask that you do not go into the shop as there is an open pit and unsafe for the public. So just, dont go into the shop .
Also, the Chama rail yard is where some very unique equipment is and where restoration is performed. Most if, not all of the restoration is performed by the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. My understanding, of the scope of this organization is to provide docents for the train rides, access condition of rolling stock (various rail cars), organize the volunteers, establish work projects, restore historic items in the rail yards, apply for grants and tract the progress of a grants. I dont know what else they do, Im sure there is more. (Please note, this is how I understand the organization. At this time my interest is not on this part of the operation. How accruate my understanding is, dont bet money on it.)
Im not sure how long the volunteer work season is for the volunteers.
My visit this time to the yard was about for one week and mostly in the mornings as it got a little warm in the afternoon. Wife & I did ride the train on one day.
The Friends are a very friendly bunch of people. Depending on the work at hand, they will stop and tell you what they are working on and answer any questions. They usually, have plenty of time to finish their projects.
Also, this whole area is a historic site and there are rules they have to follow when doing restorations.
Im going to include many of projects observed & ramblings as I post images. Ill mention when Im finished adding posts. Ill keep this under one title just to keep from getting spreadout across the forum.
The Coal Tipple-Several years ago, this structure was leaning and feared it would collapse. Support was added and that stopped any additional leaning. This trip, I was directed to Sam and he brought me up to date for what was going on.
Water was collecting around the base of the tipple and one side of the base was rotting major foundation wood and that caused the leaning. They repaired the problem and over a 2 year period, slowly raised that side of the tipple back to where it should be. The support will remain in position for now. Tipple foundation is repaired with no current leaning.
The doors to the control/engine room of the tipple was open, so I walked up said Hi, whats going on? They were connecting some air lines (another project). Sam showed up and started to explain how the tipple actually, worked. We looked at the controls, motor, gears, how one operated this machine and everything. I started to ask questions and Sam didnt have an answer at that moment. Next day, Sam was glad to see me and we went thru the drive train again. Clutch, reverse, all that stuff. We agreed on how this thing operated and we agreed we could run it. As if anyone would trust us with it ..
I'm starting out with 16 images.
If anyone has questions, ask.
Pat
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4 Coal Hopper
Image 5-Part of Linkage to open gates to load buckets
Image 6-Gate for coal to enter Bucket
Image 7-Caol/aggregate car
Sep 27, 2012 18:26:25 #
Tipple engine and control room under overhead coal storage bin.
The old motor is a one cylinder diesel engine with air start.
The small blue tank is a temporary diesel tank used to start engine several years ago.
This small square room is very crowed. And there are tool and other supplies stored in here for now.
I believe you can follow images 8 thru 14.
Image 15 is to the left of image 8.
Image 16 is to the left and above image 15.
The buckets that go up and down travel by the windows in image 16. The windows allow the operator to see the gates/buckets below.
I hope everyone is on board with this.....
Also, if you at the below and bottom of some of the images you will see the electric motor/fan belts.
Speaking of the electric motor, the motor was adapted sometime in the 1930s when electricity came to
Chama.
The old way was a wide belt that ran from the drum next to the planetary gears and the pulley on the other side of the electric motor.
This is becoming confusing. I hope you are able to follow...
The old motor is a one cylinder diesel engine with air start.
The small blue tank is a temporary diesel tank used to start engine several years ago.
This small square room is very crowed. And there are tool and other supplies stored in here for now.
I believe you can follow images 8 thru 14.
Image 15 is to the left of image 8.
Image 16 is to the left and above image 15.
The buckets that go up and down travel by the windows in image 16. The windows allow the operator to see the gates/buckets below.
I hope everyone is on board with this.....
Also, if you at the below and bottom of some of the images you will see the electric motor/fan belts.
Speaking of the electric motor, the motor was adapted sometime in the 1930s when electricity came to
Chama.
The old way was a wide belt that ran from the drum next to the planetary gears and the pulley on the other side of the electric motor.
This is becoming confusing. I hope you are able to follow...
Image 8 single cylinder motor with red flywheels
Image 9
Image 10-Engine plate
Image 11-Closer view of two oil galleys
Image 12- Planetary gears on right,
Image 13-Lever used to engage planetary gears and reverse power
Image 14
Image 15 Foot lever is a brake. Hand lever is clutch
Image 16 Handles raise outside gates to load buckets
Sep 27, 2012 18:32:16 #
Sep 27, 2012 18:33:21 #
Sep 27, 2012 18:38:48 #
Great stuff. Love the narrative and the pictures. Learned a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Sep 27, 2012 18:48:18 #
Sep 27, 2012 19:07:17 #
While I was there, they replace a ladder inside the overhead coal bin. They were then able to safely go in and inspect the inside. They told me the bin is lined with some kind of sheet metal.
Also, they took pictures for reference/record.
The goal it to get this coal handling system operational for display. They will not use to feed the engine tenders.
They have had the tipple coal buckets operate up and down. A design feature is when the buckets are empty, the system is balanced. The only load is the coal in one bucket and it's not that big. This old tipple was busy as I think I was told there were up to about 25 engines working out of here. Don't quote me on that...
No pictures of the coal in the hopper. Some of this coal is about 6-8 inches in diameter. The gate that controls the coal to the bucket is a slide gate. In image 6 you can see that the top of the gate has been hammered to close. Coal is somewhat soft and hammering probably cuts thru the coal chunks, to close.
Going back to image 7 the coal car.
The outside floor is hinged about even with the tracks. The chain rolled up and the lever on the end is how they open the doors to release the coal into the hopper.
Sorry for bouncing all over the place. Thank goodness for image numbers....
Also, they took pictures for reference/record.
The goal it to get this coal handling system operational for display. They will not use to feed the engine tenders.
They have had the tipple coal buckets operate up and down. A design feature is when the buckets are empty, the system is balanced. The only load is the coal in one bucket and it's not that big. This old tipple was busy as I think I was told there were up to about 25 engines working out of here. Don't quote me on that...
No pictures of the coal in the hopper. Some of this coal is about 6-8 inches in diameter. The gate that controls the coal to the bucket is a slide gate. In image 6 you can see that the top of the gate has been hammered to close. Coal is somewhat soft and hammering probably cuts thru the coal chunks, to close.
Going back to image 7 the coal car.
The outside floor is hinged about even with the tracks. The chain rolled up and the lever on the end is how they open the doors to release the coal into the hopper.
Sorry for bouncing all over the place. Thank goodness for image numbers....
Sep 27, 2012 19:19:09 #
Ash Pit where they clean out the fire box. Ashes and small burning coal falls out thru engine parts and down below.
The engine has hot coal is still in the fire box and a head of steam is pressured up.
The engine has hot coal is still in the fire box and a head of steam is pressured up.
Image 17
Sep 27, 2012 19:26:56 #
Refrigerated Car. One of the current projects. Primer paint was added while I was there. I don't know if the refrigerator equipment is inside or not.
Image 18 Refrigerated Car
Sep 27, 2012 19:32:07 #
Sep 27, 2012 19:32:17 #
Box Car
First one, repairs have been made, Primed. You can see new bolts on some of the hardware.
Second one, Cutting old bolts on the other side.
Third one, see siding is being replaced.
First one, repairs have been made, Primed. You can see new bolts on some of the hardware.
Second one, Cutting old bolts on the other side.
Third one, see siding is being replaced.
Image 19
Image 20
Image 21
Sep 27, 2012 19:39:18 #
Livestock Car.
There was not any active work being performed while I was there in the first part of August. It is next to the box car.
Sometime in the past, it looks to me they replaced the door. Looks like it may need more attention.
This car is a wood frame and you can see the truss bars underneath. Include some close ups.
If the car started to sag, you tightened up the bars to raise up the floor.
I guessing adjustments were required every once in awhile.
There was not any active work being performed while I was there in the first part of August. It is next to the box car.
Sometime in the past, it looks to me they replaced the door. Looks like it may need more attention.
This car is a wood frame and you can see the truss bars underneath. Include some close ups.
If the car started to sag, you tightened up the bars to raise up the floor.
I guessing adjustments were required every once in awhile.
Image 22
Image 23
IMage 24
Sep 27, 2012 19:59:36 #
Sep 27, 2012 20:03:33 #
Jay Pat wrote:
I got to take a break...
What?? Now that we are all involved in the journey! :D 8-)
Sep 27, 2012 21:13:49 #
Postal Rail Car.
Before is saw this car, I was talking to my neighbor in the rv park and he said he was working on this car and said to come by. So I did.
I hope they still have a lot of the inside, mail stuff.
They have replace all siding inside and iout.
There is also, the heater in the corner.
You can see the truss bars in the floor. That's when I learned more about truss bars.
My neighbor also, thought they should use this car for special rentals like partys. One of his workers said it won't happen. For passenger service, the car has to have a steel frame and the ends of the cars have to be open for passengers to pass thru.
Postal cars do not have end doors for security.
Before is saw this car, I was talking to my neighbor in the rv park and he said he was working on this car and said to come by. So I did.
I hope they still have a lot of the inside, mail stuff.
They have replace all siding inside and iout.
There is also, the heater in the corner.
You can see the truss bars in the floor. That's when I learned more about truss bars.
My neighbor also, thought they should use this car for special rentals like partys. One of his workers said it won't happen. For passenger service, the car has to have a steel frame and the ends of the cars have to be open for passengers to pass thru.
Postal cars do not have end doors for security.
Image 25
Image 26
IMage 27-Cover, ready incase of rain
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