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Colorado narrow gauge railroad proposes scenic byway link
Sorry, it won’t work. They keep trying to originate all events out
of Chama. They should be originating them out of Antonito. That
is where the natural connection for tourists is.
How great it would be to restore tracks between the two railways beyond just designating a byway. The rail lines could pool their trains to run the full length of a restored route.
Great idea. C&TS needs more people to come from Durango over to Chama, which is sort of out of the way, and maybe this will help.
This sounds like a great idea.Although I would guess that the usual Nimby’s will fall all over themselves trying to stop it.
It appears some readers take this to mean new rails on the ground. Sounds more to me like a few simple highway signs to alert drivers to some rail history. It’s a designation not construction, no?
If I understand the plan, the recreation of the original route will be by road vehicles and highways, something I would enjoy traveling. In 1964 I was in Durango, and a freight with 2 locos was prepping for the trip to Chama.
However, I was not familiar with the highway/road alignments to follow the train, so I didn’t try the chase. If only such a scenic designation had been available back then to make the chase easy. That was the ONE chase I was unable to complete while history was still alive.
I plan on being the first in line! I have not seen this line in operation since I was a little boy. How exciting!
A fantastic idea! Driving this route is truly a step back in time and much remains from D&RGW days (water tanks, bridges and a several sidings with freight cars). This should help both the C&TS and the D&SNG.
Now, if a wealthy benefactor would step up and get the rails laid, history would be recreated… Just a dream of mine.
Sounds like a great idea. It would be nice if rails could be laid on this route, but it is financially impractical to do this.
Doubting Thomases should look to The United Kingdom for inspiration toward railway preservation. These are truly dedicated individuals and if there is a desire for anything to happen, they are the ones that will. Perhaps the narrow gauge people should look to those gents for inspiration. Yes, that would be great to have track relaid to connect the two remaining segment of the Narrow Gauge Empire,
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The last line of the article sums it up nicely, and I think Mr. Loggins’ and Mr. Anderson’s comments are both correct. I further believe the entire vision would become a reality if it tied together with Ed Ellis’ operations out of Alamosa. The day might eventually come when railfans and regular tourists could travel by rail west over LaVeta Pass to Alamosa and then south to Antonito where they would board the Cumbres and Toltec for Chama. From there they would rent a car or board a bus for the scenic drive to Durango and a ride on the Durango and Silverton. They could then reverse the route or fly back to one of the front range airports from Durango.
Fantastic idea. Riding a bike or motoring a car over the route sure beats looking at it from afar, i.e. Google Earth. The only thing better would be steel wheels on steel rails, but one thing at a time.
The portion of this route on Jicarilla 9 from Dulce to the Colorado State Line is already designated as the Narrow Gauge Scenic Byway by the State of New Mexico. It’s a beautiful drive. See http://www.newmexico.org/narrow-gauge-trail/ for map and details.
Sounds great! All it takes is money.
I can certainly dream, hope and pray. that someday the line would be rebuilt conneting The C&TS with the D&S. Having ridden the D&RGW’s Silver San Juan back in the late 40’s from Alamosa to Durango, I had a memorable and highly enjoyable trip I will never forget. ( The n.g. parlour cars were an absolute dream!!!