Pile Driver OB | Nathan D. Holmes

Saturday, June 10, 2009 on the C&TS

484 pushes D&RGW pile driver OB into place on the Cumbres siding.

Back in 1891, the Denver & Rio Grande built a small narrow gauge steam-driven pile driver numbered 0363. With the railroad upgrading its vast but hastily built narrow gauge network (totalling 965 miles by that year), clearly a machine to drive heavy bridge timbers would be in high demand. It’s the only narrow gauge pile driver to survive from the Rio Grande, having been sold to the Cumbres & Toltec back in 1970 with much of the rest of the surviving MoW equipment. Some 118 years later – neglecting changes from a 1920 rebuild – we know that same pile driver today as D&RGW OB.

Starting in 1999, a group of Friends members here in Colorado Springs undertook a nine year restoration effort to bring OB back from its inoperable, derelict state. Success was met during the summer of 2008, when OB became operational for the first time in decades on a Friends special from Chama to Cumbres. Early in the 2009 season, the Friends announced another Maintenance-of-Way special, again starring OB. Given that I’d missed the 2008 special on account of some work trip, I was determined not to miss this one.

Even before the trip started, OB was acting up. Having been stored in Antonito, the railroad needed to haul it over to Chama for the charter. Apparently the move took place around 14-Jun-2009. Reports on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum indicate that crews started having problems with one of the wheel bearings heating up around milepost 304 (near Sublette). So, apparently they’d move it a few miles, let it cool, move it a few more miles, cool, ad naseum until they reached Cumbres. Thus, instead of getting to haul it up the hill from Chama, it would just be waiting for us in the hole at the top of the hill.

The big day – Saturday, 10-Jun-2009 – came, dawning overcast, cool, and wet. It rained on us most of the way up the hill, but fortunately during the run-bys, the weather held it down to a drizzle or slightly more. The true downpours always seemed to happen while we were en route between stops. We did about four run-bys on the way up the hill – Lobato, Cresco, the old third crossing, and then on the backside of the curve beyond Coxo. There wasn’t much light, but the weather made for great steam effects and who can really complain about a whole train of maintenance gear?

While we were all happily gorging ourselves on one of Stephen Flowers’ awesome lunches inside the Cumbres section house, the Friends OB crew and the C&TS train crew were outside trying to make OB behave. They’d positioned it, lashed it to the rail with chains, and connected the steam line to 484 to power the whole works. Everything was set and ready to go, but when the steam was turned on, it blew out a valve gasket in OB’s controls. The crew tried replacing it with some other gasket media they had, but it just blew again. So much for pile driving – or actually fruit-smashing – that day. As the clouds opened up with more rain and the temperature plummetted into the 30s, the crew took down everything and rebuilt the consist for the return trip.

As the old saying goes, if you don’t like the weather out here, wait an hour. About an hour out of Cumbres we stopped at Lobato for a westbound run-by. The rain had stopped, the fog lifted, and the sun was periodically breaking through the clouds. We did the trestle shot, and then walked down to shoot the train in Lobato siding. By the time 484 and train were safely in the hole, the clouds were breaking up and we had intermittant sunlight.

No matter what Conductor Alan Loomis thinks, Murphy and his law really run the photo lines. Beautiful sunlight held out at Lobato until just seconds before the regularly scheduled westbound arrived. Just as 488 came over the trestle, a cloud stepped in to completely drop the foreground into darkness until after the meet was over. Still, when was the last time anybody else got a shot of a meet between an extra and a regular at Lobato? And just to show you how random things can be, by the time we were back in Chama, the clouds were mostly gone from the sky and the temperature was recovering nicely. Just another day in Colorado railroading…

As a followup, the OB guys did eventually get their machine to behave. During the middle part of October, they decided to try it again at the Colorado Railroad Museum, but this time with real wooden piles. While I was there – and I guess I’m just cursed – they didn’t actually drive anything, but at least I got to see OB powered up and lifting its driving weight up and down. During the next day and the following weekend, they managed to put a few in the ground without issue. So one of these days, I swear I’m actually going to see OB drop the hammer on something. It just hasn’t happened yet.

Saturday, 20-Jun-2009, dawned rainy and overcast in Chama, NM. As I recall, the temperature was only in the low 60s.

Awaiting the 0800h departure of the Friends Maintenance-of-Way Photo Freight, 484 sits idly just short of the coaling tower. Consist for the day (in order for the uphill trip): 484, flanger OJ, wheel car 06092, tool car 04549, D&RGW tie and rail car 06051, idler flat 6708, pipe gon 1557, idler flat 6755, rider boxes 211, 214 and 205, concession/restroom car 3244, rider gon 6205, and caboose 0579.

The first run-by at Lobato - not quite pouring, but not exactly dry either. — The first run-by at Lobato – not quite pouring, but not exactly dry either.

Near the Dalton crossing, the skies just opened up and let loose a torrent of rain. I'd like to say - for the sake of "back when I was your age" stories to future generations of fans - that us hardy foamers took it in style and stayed in the gon, but we all wussed out and went back in the rider boxes. — Near the Dalton crossing, the skies just opened up and let loose a torrent of rain. I’d like to say – for the sake of “back when I was your age” stories to future generations of fans – that us hardy foamers took it in style and stayed in the gon, but we all wussed out and went back in the rider boxes.

Pulling up to Cresco in the rain to top off the tender (well, okay, mainly for a run-by)

Coming around the pond near Coxo, just about to the third crossing. As you can see, it's still raining. It was a tremendously cold and rainy spring and early summer around here. — Coming around the pond near Coxo, just about to the third crossing. As you can see, it’s still raining. It was a tremendously cold and rainy spring and early summer around here.

Climbing towards the summit from third crossing

I have to admit, this is a new run-by spot - the north side of the curve on the climb between Coxo and Windy Point. Unfortunately, it was dark and rainy, but it's still a heck of a shot. Going to have to try this some morning when I actually have light. — I have to admit, this is a new run-by spot – the north side of the curve on the climb between Coxo and Windy Point. Unfortunately, it was dark and rainy, but it’s still a heck of a shot. Going to have to try this some morning when I actually have light.

Another shot at the same curve, just through the tree tunnel in front of me.

And we're finally at the top... It's still pouring, and while the temperature on arrival at Cumbres wasn't too bad, it tanked fairly quickly after arrival. By the time we left, there was snow visible only a couple hundred feet above us. — And we’re finally at the top… It’s still pouring, and while the temperature on arrival at Cumbres wasn’t too bad, it tanked fairly quickly after arrival. By the time we left, there was snow visible only a couple hundred feet above us.

We didn't haul OB up the hill, as on the way over from Antonito the day before, it had developed a hotbox. Basically, they had to repeat the process of move it a couple miles and then take a break to let the brass cool in order to get it to Cumbres. So the first order of business for the crew was to go get the pile driver for the day's anticipated demonstration. — We didn’t haul OB up the hill, as on the way over from Antonito the day before, it had developed a hotbox. Basically, they had to repeat the process of move it a couple miles and then take a break to let the brass cool in order to get it to Cumbres. So the first order of business for the crew was to go get the pile driver for the day’s anticipated demonstration.

Alan pulling the pin between the MoW cars and the pipe idler, and reminding us that railroading isn't just about the sunny days. — Alan pulling the pin between the MoW cars and the pipe idler, and reminding us that railroading isn’t just about the sunny days.

484 gets wyed, both for operating the pile driver and for the return trip westbound. The auxillary steam port is located on the front of 484, and OB will be set up such that 484 needs to be on the east side.

Before the fun can continue, though, everybody clears up to allow 487 and the regular daily eastbound through Cumbres. About an hour has elapsed since we arrived at the top.

487 pulls up to the Cumbres section house and takes on water from the standpipe. Meanwhile, most of the folks from the Friends MoW special are either inside the section house or standing on the porch - out of the rain. — 487 pulls up to the Cumbres section house and takes on water from the standpipe. Meanwhile, most of the folks from the Friends MoW special are either inside the section house or standing on the porch – out of the rain.

The regular eastbound takes off about ten minutes after it showed up. On the rear is one of the new parlor cars built for the 2009 season.

A view of the opposite side of OB, while it's being positioned. — A view of the opposite side of OB, while it’s being positioned.

The first step is to secure OB to the ground. So, the crew grabs an pickaxe and starts removing some of the dirt and ballast below the rails.

With slots dug out under the rails, a chain is secured around them and to OB in order to keep the pile driver in place.

Note the chains and rods on the front end to help keep the pile driver in place.

OB runs off of a host locomotive's steam. Think of it as the power take-off of the steam era. The crew had an assortment of rubber steam hoses, and this steel pipe to act as an adapter in the middle between the two female coupler ends. — OB runs off of a host locomotive’s steam. Think of it as the power take-off of the steam era. The crew had an assortment of rubber steam hoses, and this steel pipe to act as an adapter in the middle between the two female coupler ends.

With the line all hooked up to OB, here's one of the OB crew connecting the steam pipe to 484. — With the line all hooked up to OB, here’s one of the OB crew connecting the steam pipe to 484.

Well, I think we have a leak... Actually the crew was just blowing any debris out the pipe to avoid getting it in the mechanism. — Well, I think we have a leak… Actually the crew was just blowing any debris out the pipe to avoid getting it in the mechanism.

Unfortunately, on account of a bad gasket in one of OB's steam valves, today is going to be a bust. They tried replacing it, but it just wouldn't hold. So, the cold soaked crew admits defeat and starts packing everything up. — Unfortunately, on account of a bad gasket in one of OB’s steam valves, today is going to be a bust. They tried replacing it, but it just wouldn’t hold. So, the cold soaked crew admits defeat and starts packing everything up.

Most of the fans had given up, too. The temperature had dropped into the 30s, so most everybody was inside enjoying the results of Stephen Flowers' wonderful cooking in front of a fire in the sectionhouse stove. — Most of the fans had given up, too. The temperature had dropped into the 30s, so most everybody was inside enjoying the results of Stephen Flowers’ wonderful cooking in front of a fire in the sectionhouse stove.

If you'd ever wondered what the C&TS's radio system looks like, this is it. It's a solar panel on the roof that feeds the two controllers on the right, which charge a pair of Optima deep cycle batteries. Those batteries feed a Vertex VXR-9000 repeater. — If you’d ever wondered what the C&TS’s radio system looks like, this is it. It’s a solar panel on the roof that feeds the two controllers on the right, which charge a pair of Optima deep cycle batteries. Those batteries feed a Vertex VXR-9000 repeater.

484 and our devoted crew work through the chilling downpour to reassemble the train for the return trip.

Laid over the crest of the Cumbres grade, the train is ready to head down the hill.

Just another shot right before leaving. Couldn't decide between this and the previous one, so you get both. As you can see, the fog is starting to set in as well. — Just another shot right before leaving. Couldn’t decide between this and the previous one, so you get both. As you can see, the fog is starting to set in as well.

As is the famous saying about Colorado weather - if you don't like it, wait an hour. Sure enough, about an hour after we left the top, the rain has stopped and the clouds are threatening to break up at Lobato. — As is the famous saying about Colorado weather – if you don’t like it, wait an hour. Sure enough, about an hour after we left the top, the rain has stopped and the clouds are threatening to break up at Lobato.

With the light just a few seconds fast, we get 484 passing the remnants of the corral at Lobato.

Finally, light! And, with proper cropping to kill the rider boxes, we can make this look like a real train at Lobato.

The light was short-lived, though. By the time the daily westbound showed up with 488 in the lead, the light was weird and diffuse again. Still, how many of you can say you've caught a meet at Lobato? — The light was short-lived, though. By the time the daily westbound showed up with 488 in the lead, the light was weird and diffuse again. Still, how many of you can say you’ve caught a meet at Lobato?

Tucked into the westbound train is one of the new concession cars.

No, our intrepid conductor isn't racing 484 on foot, just walking up to open the switch. — No, our intrepid conductor isn’t racing 484 on foot, just walking up to open the switch.

With warming temperatures under now partly sunny skies, 484 and train retake the main at the west switch of Lobato.

Back in Chama, the crew wasted little time getting 484 unhooked from the special and put to work tearing down the daily train. That's it for this trip - the curse of Nathan strikes again. Whenever I'm around, the pile driver has problems. — Back in Chama, the crew wasted little time getting 484 unhooked from the special and put to work tearing down the daily train. That’s it for this trip – the curse of Nathan strikes again. Whenever I’m around, the pile driver has problems.

Epilogue – OB at CRRM on Saturday, Oct 10, 2009

After the June OB trip featured in this photo essay, pile driver OB was moved from the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic up to the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO. Given that the initial trip turned out to be mostly a bust, I hoped they’d get the problems fixed up and I’d get to see it in action at long last. Well, the first time I’d heard it was supposed to operate at the museum, it didn’t. So I went back for another attempt on Saturday, 10-Oct-2009. Again, precipitation, clouds, and cold were on the menu, so I was only hoping that my curse around OB wouldn’t hold true again. Plus, at least I’d get the chance to see OB hooked up to D&RGW 346.

I can honestly say that the curse was partially broken – the boom went up on its own and the giant driving weight moved. Due to the cold, it was sticking a bit, and not actually moving well enough to drive anything, but at least OB was operating under its own power. Later that afternoon and the following day (after I was gone, of course), the OB crew managed to drive a series of piles to create a short trestle extension to the track it was on. One of these days I’ll actually catch OB doing its thing, I swear…

The first OB demo was supposed to happen at 1030h, but at that time, this is how OB looked. I was worried that once again, I'd have made the trip and something was broken. — The first OB demo was supposed to happen at 1030h, but at that time, this is how OB looked. I was worried that once again, I’d have made the trip and something was broken.

As of the first afternoon demonstration, though, things were looking much better. The crew had arrived (some of them were stuck behind a huge pileup on I-25, and otherwise the roads were just bad, delaying everything) and was working on getting OB set up.

Power for the day would be Rio Grande 346, the museum's small C-19. It's not a K-36 by any means, but it's more than enough of a horizontal water heater to power up OB. Plus, 346 is more of OB's contemporary, given that it was built in 1881 and OB in 1891. 484, its power on the C&TS, was built over three decades later, in 1925. — Power for the day would be Rio Grande 346, the museum’s small C-19. It’s not a K-36 by any means, but it’s more than enough of a horizontal water heater to power up OB. Plus, 346 is more of OB’s contemporary, given that it was built in 1881 and OB in 1891. 484, its power on the C&TS, was built over three decades later, in 1925.

This is looking much more promising - the mast is up, and OB's internal steam engine is working (as evidenced by the two plumes of exhaust steam above the operating cab). — This is looking much more promising – the mast is up, and OB’s internal steam engine is working (as evidenced by the two plumes of exhaust steam above the operating cab).

On the right, wooden piles. On the left, a pile driver. These things seem to go together naturally. I'm glad to see they've decided to gently use OB for something other than watermellon smashing. — On the right, wooden piles. On the left, a pile driver. These things seem to go together naturally. I’m glad to see they’ve decided to gently use OB for something other than watermellon smashing.

It's not moving freely yet, but at long last, I finally got to see the driving weight moving. — It’s not moving freely yet, but at long last, I finally got to see the driving weight moving.

The other highlight of the day was former Georgetown Shay 12 under steam again, for the first time since the old Loop shut down almost exactly five years prior. Hard to believe we've now had a half decade of CHS antics up there. It's good to see the old narrow gauge Shays fired up again. — The other highlight of the day was former Georgetown Shay 12 under steam again, for the first time since the old Loop shut down almost exactly five years prior. Hard to believe we’ve now had a half decade of CHS antics up there. It’s good to see the old narrow gauge Shays fired up again.

Just another shot of 12 decked out in her fresh West Side Lumber paint. Yes, 12 is an old WSL engine before it came to the Loop.

This work is copyright 2022 by Nathan D. Holmes, but all text and images are licensed and reusable under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license. Basically you’re welcome to use any of this as long as it’s not for commercial purposes, you credit me as the source, and you share any derivative works under the same license. I’d encourage others to consider similar licenses for their works.

All photographs in this trip report were taken with a Canon EOS 40D using either a Canon 24-105mm F4 L IS/USM, Sigma 18-50mm, or a Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS/USM.