2016 Geese #5 & #7 + #315 Saturday, August 27

It's time for another 'wild goose chase' as one of my neighbors calls it! The Geese spent the night bedded down at Cumbres Pass, along with Freight Special #315. Here we see the Geese backing into the wye, to face east in preparation to follow Freight Special #315 to Big Horn.

It's time for another 'wild goose chase' as one of my neighbors calls it! The Geese spent the night bedded down at Cumbres Pass, along with Freight Special #315. Here we see the Geese backing into the wye, to face east in preparation to follow Freight Special #315 to Big Horn.

Freight Special #315 leaving Cumbres Pass at 7:13 AM

Entering Tanglefoot Curve

Geese #5 and #7 are close behind

The passengers of both the Special and the Geese were dropped off at the top of the curve, where they formed a 'photo line' to photograph and video the action on the curve. They will now climb back on board to continue this odyssey

The passengers of both the Special and the Geese were dropped off at the top of the curve, where they formed a 'photo line' to photograph and video the action on the curve. They will now climb back on board to continue this odyssey

The "Narrow Gauge Rendezvous" was a three day event in which the riders paid $759 each for this unique experience. Most photo runbys were done further down the canyon, away from Highway 17.

Freight Special #315 at Apache Crossing

Followed by #5

Then #7

A morning silhouette of Freight Special #315

Milepost 324 Cross Rio de Los Pinos was the second runby site.

The Geese dropped off their passengers and retreated back out of the way

Unable to follow the Special down the canyon, I retreated to the west side of Cumbres Pass to catch the regular morning Train #216 East.

Unable to follow the Special down the canyon, I retreated to the west side of Cumbres Pass to catch the regular morning Train #216 East. Here we find Engine #487 passing Cresco Tank

It looks like this photographer is being photographed.

Another one of those "I looks better in Black & White"

Train #215 West pulling into Cumbres Pass

Later, I found Freight Special #315 had picked up Pile Driver OB. A light rain had been falling and Engine #315 was having a hard time with the extra weight of OB. I wondered if she would have to double the hill.

Notice that most of the passengers are inside the caboose

Well, It's the little engine that could. The time was getting late and I wanted to get back to Chama for a social gathering of old time railroaders. I couldn't wait to hear their stories and taller tales.