Wandering the Switching Yards in Chama New Mexico

[@mikeyjasoncampbell9694]

#488 and #497 is my favorite steam engines. I hope they’ll restore #497 someday. Can’t wait to see #492 restore. I also like the Rotary snowplow OY. It was so good they restored her.

[@georgebottarini1788]

Back in the 50’s my grandmother lived across the tracks by the depot and as a kid I use to climb in the box cars and walk the tracks. Thanks for the memories.🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@ToyManTelevision]

The UP yards I once wondered are now apartments and shops… lost but not forgotten

[@georgebottarini1788]

@@ToyManTelevision the Erie Lackawanna depot is now a dirt parking lot. Sad but we have the memories.

[@jonheller2307]

You bring this to life for those who cannot be on site

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@HenrikSweden1]

thanks for a great video ! just love the weathering on that big 487 ! yes you could poke around almost all yards everywhere up to the 80 and 90s. Then came the grafittimob and destroyed everything, and with them came all the fences...I really hope these lovely engines will be spared from spray paint. Have a nice sunday you all !

[@shedbythetracks]

These Sunday morning adventures have been great. It keeps the real world at bay for a half hour or so. Cheers

[@ToyManTelevision]

Aw the Sunday shows… political manure and toy man.. well… trains and toys are better.

[@jonheller2307]

Great survey of the property and equipment. Thanks

[@ToyManTelevision]

Same coming at Ely soon.

[@bradleyogden5688]

So true about these yards. I love them both too (Chama / East Ely). Who else seen 487 twice? The other is around 23:00. Mr Angel, this has to be one of my favorite videos to date. And thanks for taking you time to do this. Ive been in the U Of U's ICU Burn unit since the 2nd of October. Its video's like yours that keep me going day by day until I get home and start loosing tools in plain sight and glue detail to my fingers instead of the model. Anyways I'm doing alot better after three surgeries. One of my highlights is opening a box from Brazil with a HO American made prototype AC44i with my name on it! Don't think about retiring yet, it's your fans like me that can't get away so it's just awesome to watch your videos to give me the motivation to get up and get better so that some day I'll return home and enjoy the World's Greatest Hobby!

[@alcopower5710]

As always your videos have a wealth of information…….and you two make such a wonderful team. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@NgaiOlaudah]

I gotta go ta Chama! Thanks, guys, simply delightful! LOVE IT. THANKS! arthur ps/so glad to see you up and running!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Do it!!!

[@HMSSfrigate12]

Another veryyyyyyyyyy interesting session for sure

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@robertrussell2166]

Excellent video Dale

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@LearnwithJanice]

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇸

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi!

[@stephenrick6672]

Very very cool to see all this maintenance of way equipment. Keep these great videos comming. Thank you very much 👍👍👍!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@garyacker7388]

I believe that they used the spreader type for snow on the tracks up Weber Canyon during the winter of 1983-84 . I didn't witness it but I was up there on the weekend right after the clearing. Heck of a lot of snow those years. Thanks again for all you guys do.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Cool!! Thanks

[@gmaneis]

Great video. I leaarned a lot. Thank you. :-)

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks!!!

[@bill7493]

I Really enjoy you two,thanks

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@NickelPlateDave]

Amazing video your videos never get boring I enjoy looking forward to another new video

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@tomklock568]

Great fun. Love the videos.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@benhancock1408]

At that time rotary OY was still painted the usual mow gray. Lots of pictures of it were taken, some from places he wasn't supposed to be. Great fun was had during that trip. My buddy has since scratch-built a 20.3 scale model of OY. It's non functional, but still REALLY cool. He's an excellent modeller.

[@ToyManTelevision]

I’ve got a USA trains rotary. Basically a USA box car with a GREAT rotary “blower” on one end and windows cut in. FUNCTIONAL ROTARY PLOW!! Motor stalls when it hits more than three snowflakes. So plan is to add a tender and a big motor. And weight. Heavy batteries. Anyway hope it works. Last year we had one snow storm where I could have used it. Anyway plans..

[@iannarita9816]

About meandering around freight yards. When I was in my teens Santa Fe's Oakland yard in Emeryville, Ca. By the 1970's one train a day. And freight forwarders Clipper and West TransCo. The freight crew was friendly. Now the yard and associated buildings bulldozed and redeveloped into condos and a shopping centre.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Darn…. The railyard are used to wander, Union Pacific‘s north yard, is mostly a city park. And they keep wanting to develop it but it’s certainly no longer a railroad yard.

[@stevemellin5806]

Very cool stuff . Thank you made my day .

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@patmaufrais1043]

Enjoying all of this series of videos!! Well done, Mr. Toy Man!!!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi!!!!! Been editing the coaling tower show. Sooo much good stuff. Hope we don’t bore people cause it’s a really deep dive…

[@TrainLordJC]

Wonderful description of the old rolling stock. What a pleasure it must have been to wander freely around those yards and especially back in the day when all this equipment was operational. I just watched a video of the N&W Y6b and the Class A's hauling coal in the Blue Ridge Mountains back in the 50's. One can only imagine how incredible it must have been to be a young boy wandering around those yards in those days.

[@ToyManTelevision]

In one or two of the “Our Gang” comedies the gang wandered a railroad yard. But in the 30’s it was common for kids to wander around picking up coal to take home for the stove. Train crews turned a blind eye. But damn, it was fun. Dangerous? Heck ya! I’ve been thrown off the property I’ll bet 10 times. Part of the fun!!

[@dankamikubo7002]

Both snow plows are equipped with flangers! Flangers are located between the trucks, note their blades are quite visible, low down near the rails. You might have mentioned what the red target was for on the flangers. When the train nears a switch or rail crossing, the flanger blades are must be lifted off the rails to avoid damage to the track. The target indicates whether the blades are lowered or in the clear position. Thanks for sharing your video of Chama, it’s a great place to see “the real stuff”!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks.

[@ronalddwyer6592]

It is amazing that they have all this rolling stock at both yards. I always loved the maintenance cars and rotary snow plows. I have a few maintenance cars and a couple of rotary snow plows on my layout. I don't have a piledriver car yet but want to scratch build one that can raise to the operating stance. Then have the hammer weight move up and down on a pole being driven. It is always good to see alot of the rolling stock being restored to keep history alive. Thank for taking us along and sharing. Always great videos. Be safe and looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday.👍🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂👍

[@ToyManTelevision]

Did you see our video on Ralph Govhnour’s layout? UP roundhouse in Ogden Utah. Working pile driver in HO. Boom swings. Hammer works.

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

I recently bought an AMS model of the wheel and tie car. I bought it because it was different, interesting and (most importantly!) available. But, I've never seen anything of it in real life,....until now! I even have a book on D&RGW MOW equipment! So nice to know the real one is at Chama. You'll get a 'thank you' when I get around to making a video for it. A really nice wonder around the yard. Thanks for showing.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Didn’t know that made it!!!! Wow!!

[@stephensfarms7165]

What a great video on the yard there. I really enjoyed watching you’ll videos very much. Learned things I did not know. Keep them coming. Thanks 🙏

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks!!

[@tomas5376]

Love all this history! Where is a good place to stay in Chama?👍🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@ToyManTelevision]

There’s a couple of good places. Most people like the branding iron motel. We stay at the Elk horn lodge. Little cabins. Fun.

[@pinchy08]

That’s a lot of interesting equipment that the friends of the Cumbres and Toltec can whip back into shape. Little bit at a time though. And yea. K36 Mikado hasn’t run in ages. I hope they can restore her back to operating condition.

[@pinchy08]

I don’t write comments to be only liked. I write these to be replied to. I’m tired of likes and all that I find in my notifications is my own comment I already wrote. Please people reply.

[@robertbrigham1620]

@@pinchy08 As a member of the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec team that works on 483, I can say our mandate is to preserve the locomotive. This means keeping it painted and working to replace parts that have been removed to keep other K36's operational. Neither the Friends nor the Railroad do have the resources to restore the locomotive to operation at present - it would take special funding from an outside source, like what happened with 168, to accomplish that.

[@pinchy08]

As for K37 Mikado 497 that’s another locomotive that looks like it too can be restored to operating condition and convert to burning oil as well.

[@TRAINBUILDER]

Excellent video!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@gunny8978]

Thats a great place id love to see and I hope that next summer I'll be able see n ride for myself and it will happen, great video ya'll be safe and ill talk to next week 👍

[@jacobramsey7624]

I would be nice if the friends could build some more barns to put some more of the locomotives, cars, and the unrestored rotary just to keep them from decaying any more. Even if there run down and don't work they should still be perserved and kept under some sort of cover to at least get them out of the weatner so future generations can enjoy them. Even if there in a unrestord state.

[@ToyManTelevision]

More being done these days than ever. In 100 years all of these will be preserved and sheltered or lost… but so far, looking good.

[@DENVERRIOGRANDEMAN21]

That was amazing never knew that cumbres and totlecs allowed that but be careful with wildlife

[@ToyManTelevision]

Lots of wildlife. No one messes with them. Mostly. Rattle snakes are a problem. Not the snakes. They just want to hide. But when one shows up some idiot always wants to kill it. Because “safety”. Anyway that’s how people get bit.

[@DENVERRIOGRANDEMAN21]

@@ToyManTelevision including new Mexico rest stops

[@gregsmith1719]

Great video! Love the close-ups! The texture and color! Great subject! Great narration, too! Keep it up!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks!!!!

[@hallkbrdz]

There is another narrow gauge wooden rotary in Breckenridge that has been cosmetically restored in the railroad park - Rotary 01, originally from the White Pass & Yukon RR (standard) and converted to NG.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks!!! That’s 4! Bet there’s more..

[@Santafefrank]

I like it thanks you two.

[@lucam06]

I really love the Jordan Spreaders, I work at the Winnipeg Railway Museum and we have an old wooden Canadian National Spreader, it's one of my favorite pieces we have in the museum.

[@valeriebassett3107]

Great video! Love how you explain all about each and every thing. Both of you are awesome! ❤️

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi!!! Thanks!!!

[@pinchy08]

I sure hope y’all do a video on your model railroad even though still in working progress. I’d like to see how it looks so far.

[@ToyManTelevision]

As it snows.. no trips. Just modeling. After Covid?.. been in for toooooo long. So on the road! Us and everyone else too. “Driving” gas prices into stupid.. anyway as the weather changes we are in again.

[@kenshores9900]

Dale: Such a neat video. It brought back memories., I went to school in Terre Haute, In. Major North South East West rail road area. Several miles from school the Penn Central had a service yard . Started at Fruit Ridge Ave (got its name from Ann Paige jam and Jelly plant. Another story about industrial size bug zappers. But I digress. They had a rotary and a regular snow plows. There was a hump yard. However it is all gone now but the memories. All the rails and every thing is gone.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi. Cool. Penn. huge! My uncle worked for them after WW2.

[@kenshores9900]

@@ToyManTelevision Wasn’t it just the PPR then. Penn Central was one of the first large mergers? PPR got rid of their competition by consuming them. Them look at what happened. I miss the Monon, the L&N, even Nickel Plate.

[@texasandpacific610]

Love your channel and all the videos

[@robertweldon7909]

As I've said before, My first exposure to Chama was the Campbell HO scale wood building model of the place. I was only about 12 at the time and had no idea what I was seeing. I saw someone's diorama in an old issue of Modell Railroader. Now due to folks like you I at least get to see the real thing. I wonder, can you still buy those great scale kits, and is there any plans of the old round house and track arrangement, that fits with the Campbell kits time line? Great video as always. ;-)

[@ToyManTelevision]

Hi. Yup well documented. Modeled a bunch of times. The Campbell kits are all still made! Check the web. Dozens of kits. Also look for photos and maps of Chama. And Google maps, because it mostly all still there!!

[@HinckleyBranchRailfan]

4:20 I never knew they took 497 out of the Old Shed. Nice seeing it out in the sunshine again. And I think it was taken out of service 2002 or 03 because of Boiler Problems. They would restore it but it would take a lot of money because K-37’s are the biggest on the Narrow Gauge. Maybe they should consider giving it to the Colorado Railroad Museum and let 497 be with 491.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Very unusual boiler on the K 37. Similar design to the boiler on the big boy. I convection tube boiler. Very difficult to rebuild.

[@southernkansasrailfan1964]

The first time I ever rode a steam train was at the Durango and Silverton. Right before we got going up the mountain where we parallel the highway we made an emergency stop. A lot of people talked about hitting a deer or hitting something, but turns out the firebox door broke. It kind of sucked in the long run because we didn't have enough time to see Silverton fully, or go to the roundhouse.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Sounds like you need to go back! After the fire things have really changed there. They’re running a lot of diesel locomotives, but for a little extra money you can ride behind an oil fired steam locomotive. So get out there and be sure to ride the steam engine! Much more interesting than going up the hill behind a diesel.

[@southernkansasrailfan1964]

@@ToyManTelevision Amen to that!

[@HinckleyBranchRailfan]

Not sure if you guys heard but it seems the C&TS is now thinking about making plans to Restore either the 492 or the 497. It would only probably be one of them though because it still would take hard work to restore. And I think it depends on which one is in better condition and wouldn’t need too much maintenance..

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup. Betting 497. And converting it to burn oil. Oil? At these prices? Anyway oil. Because they may loose their coal supplier.

[@HMSSfrigate12]

Jordan spreader runs off air, thats a big air tank on the machine, Dave

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks!!! Figures…

[@bigwoz78]

Awesome video, can’t wait for the one on the coaling tower. That’s gonna be interesting

[@ToyManTelevision]

May be boring. Hope people are ready for 20 minutes of how the coaling tower works and what is being done to preserve it. Then onto the sand house…

[@bigwoz78]

@@ToyManTelevision Never Boring

[@maxum96]

Another good video. Thanks. My understanding from talking to C&TS personnel is that rotary OM is capable of being operated and just needs a cosmetic restoration. I've seen information that supposedly OM was last used in the 1970's. Can't wait to see your video of the coaling tower in operation. How lucky you guys were. I've never seen it being used in all my trips to Chama.

[@ToyManTelevision]

I’ve heard that OM is semi operative.

[@thatonetraindoge]

I believe the issue with 497 was some sort of botched fix on its trailing truck that caused issues on the D&S while 493 works just fine there

[@ToyManTelevision]

From what people have been saying here all it needs is it’s 1472 inspection. The boiler on a k37 is really an advanced design. It’s actually similar to the design of the big boys boiler! In that it uses convection tubes or in the case of a K 37 convection channels to carry the heat from the firebox through the water or should I say the water through the heat of the firebox. Anyway it makes maintenance on these things much more difficult but boy is a great locomotives.

[@TonyLasagna]

Excellent video!!! Switch lanterns ❤️😍 You have so many good plans for models as you explain over the course of the video. So many cool locomotives we don’t see much - like 493 and 497.. also, I heard OY will either not run again, or not run an excursion type-deal again. I was heartbroken to hear this. Correct me if I am wrong though, because that would be excellent.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Well they say OM runs. Cosmetically poor. But that’s simple. I assume the boiler would require rebuilding for r safety. But the BIG problem is they don’t need it. OY is perfect. So… but at some point… who knows? And as far as I know, OY will be out there whenever the snow at Cumbres requires it. May not sell seats, but photo special of some kind.

[@TonyLasagna]

@@ToyManTelevision sounds good to me. i could have easily heard it from someone who was misinformed :)

[@gunny8978]

Thats a gorgeous engine and tender 😃 wow cool video its been a while since I've talked to you, ive been going back and forth to the V.A. and im doing much better, thanks for sharing and I'll catch you on the next show, be safe your favorite number one fan well far as im concern i am 🤣☝️ib I wanted to ask how your train outside is coming along?

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yo gunny! Glad you are doing better!!! This getting older crap… anyway all good! Stay well.

[@RailPreserver2K]

I don't know if you've been to the Durango & Silverton but I've heard it's really good

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup!!! In a few weeks too.

[@michaelchapman6895]

Great video. Is The Box Car Cafe still going in Chama? I used to love their fried eggs on toast for breakfast. 😉👍

[@ToyManTelevision]

Sadly no… all the restaurants are gone. Except the Subway. Two new coffee houses. Nice. But no food

[@michaelchapman6895]

Thank you for your reply. I've plugged your video on Twitter. 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇺🇸👍

[@mratsfrailfan1894]

did you guys see that the Nevada northern finished 81!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yes. Headed that way in a week.

[@jacobramsey7624]

Any news on the locomotive being restored at the Navada Northern? Also dose this railroad have any steam locomotives being restored as well?

[@ToyManTelevision]

Done!! Going to see in a few days.

[@raywheeler]

The plow and wide wings are operated pneumatically by trainline air pressure. That’s the reason for the large air reservoir.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks. Wondered…

[@afm1948]

Hi guys. Railroad Model Craftsman back in July of 1987 did a 7 page article with On3 scale drawings of OM and in August followed up with 8 page part 2 with scale drawings of the Water tender and Tank Car. BUT! What rips my shorts is I know I have also seen RMC do an article with scale drawings for Flanger OK. However, I have gone back over several years of '77 & '78 RMC and can't find it. Rio Grande Models offered an HO scale OD for $14.00 back in October 1976. Arthur

[@CadensCustomWorks]

There is a 4 wooden rotary sitting in Breckinridge with No9 on static display

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks

[@yourlocalidiot23432]

NEAT

[@mackfisher4487]

Rio Grande Engine 457 question: what's with the outhouse on the top of the cold tender?

[@riograndesouthern41]

I'm pretty sure that 497 was put out of service with a frame issue, not sure if it is cracked or bent.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Oh crap! Not easy to fix..

[@johnkersey3460]

One snow plow in Alaska - barrow ga.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Wood?

[@bernardc2553]

Here's..a..little.. water tank short.. &..stout..here..is....my.... ladder..here..are..my..TWO SPOUTS.. (but I had to :-)

[@robertbrigham1620]

497 is presently not operational. But should the money become available it will probably be the first presently non-operational locomotive on the C&TSRR to be put back into operation. With that in mind, with the exception of the past month, it has been stored under cover in the round house.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Thanks. Wondered .

[@gmmeier321]

If vodka and orange juice is a screwdriver, what is vodka and prune juice? A Pile Driver!!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Ouch

[@tompetty1880]

Forgive me for asking, can anyone enlighten me what the shed affairs on top of the tenders are used for? They all seem to carry one so there must be some kinda common denominator.

[@iannarita9816]

The wood structure on the tender, or doghouse, was for the brakeman to get out of the winter weather. There was not a lot of room in a narrow gauge locomotive cab.

[@tompetty1880]

Much appreciated, thanks.

[@thetexasrailfan]

I was thare last month

[@jonathancordovaceo]

497 it needs a 1472 but yes it can run

[@ToyManTelevision]

Cool! I know those things have a much more complicated boiler is than the K 36. Just the basic rebuild it should be fine

[@thetexasrailfan]

Actually I was thare that same day

[@benhancock1408]

And "Don't climb on the equipment!!!" Don't ask me how I know this, I'll just add that it was my buddy that was where he wasn't supposed to be.

[@zebrashark23]

Bet he was yelled at by a “Friend” rather than an employee. They like to pretend they are railroad police.

[@N-Scale]

Chama Train is WAY better that Durango. So much less commercial and laid back.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup.

[@UnionPacificTrainMan1988]

toy man television when you have time to come to the nevada northern to see nevada northern 81 operate

[@ToyManTelevision]

Next weekend. Haunted ghost train. And hopefully 81

[@Mike-tg7dj]

Just walk around.. don't steal or break anything. Good rules to live by. I'm guessing that they were not too keen on protecting the environment and that's probably deeper than a foot of dirt.

[@iannarita9816]

Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

[@earlfreeman93]

I sure hope that the Cumbres and Toltec can convert their locomotives to burn bio-gas after the oil and coal run out; so we will still have steam locomotive running around in the future.

[@ToyManTelevision]

For now oil and coal. The fear is that the last coal mine in the area will also close. If so it means trucking coal 400 miles. Ouch! So the conversion to oil is inevitable. No Weatherby switch from oil to bio diesel well it’s debatable. As of now it’s much simpler to just lay hands on recycled motor oil. I bet will probably be available for years to come.

[@earlfreeman93]

@@ToyManTelevision You are probably right about the recycled motor oil but in the long run they will have to use something like Bio-gas (i.e. bio-methane fuel).