Last week I took a trip out west with my Dad to check out some of the sights of the Southwestern part of the USA. One of our stops was the Cumbres & Toltec railroad. The trip begins in Chama, New Mexico. If you are thinking about riding the C&T I would suggest riding it from Chama to Antonito. This part of the trip is uphill most of the way, including some 4% grades. Our train was full and required a doubleheader out of Chama up to Cumbres. What a sight to see a narrow gauge steam doubleheader working hard.
Also the Cumbres & Toltec allows people to walk around the yard and servicing area and take pictures as the train and locomotives are prepared for the trip.
As far as accomodations in Chama, there are a couple of motels, we stayed at the Branding Iron Motel, nice accomodations, I would suggest reservations in advance. There are some Bed & Breakfasts also. There aren’t many places to eat but we a nice supper at the only place open at 7pm on Friday night. The name escapes me at the moment. We had to wait about 1/2 for a table but the food was very good.
Here are some shots from our ride from Chama to Antonito on Saturday Sept 29, 2007
#487 steams in the cool morning at Chama, NM
#487 recieves coal for the trip to Antonito, CO
#484 loads coal to be the helper on the train to Antonito, CO
Our doubleheader for the trip from Chama to Cumbres
At the Lobato Bridge the doubleheader must be separated. The bridge can’t handle the weight of both locomotives. So the lead cuts off and crosse
Great pics Keith & description was even better. Did you return to Chama by bus? What were the other highlights of your trip? Not just RR either.
How perfect to travel with your dad.
I guess the highlights include rail-wise riding the Durango & Silverton the next day. The weather was awesome and the scenery spectactular. I hope to post some of those photos soon.
Non-rail highlights include sunset and sunrise at the Grand Canyon and driving the Monument Valley and trying to figure out where on the road Forrest Gump stopped running.
You really can’t beat the C&TS or the D&S for scenery or authenticity, but did you ride a steam train to the Grand Canyon (overnight stay at the canyon is still possible)?
Unfortunately the Grand Canyon Railroad stops running steam after Labor Day. So with our visit at the end of September there was no steam running. We opted instead to stay close to the rim and get some sunset and sunrise shots at the Canyon. I would like to go back and check out the Grand Canyon Railroad though.
As far as the Cumbres & Toltec coaches I believe I heard that they had been recently repainted into the red that they currently are. I’m not sure of there previous color.
I’ve ridden almost every currently operating tourist line in Colorado, and if I could only take one (not that it’s an easy choice), that would be it: a 4% grade, 64 scenic miles, all in rolling museum pieces. One advantage to starting in Antonito is that there are plenty more accomodations in nearby Alamosa, Colo.
I got one cought up on the collar of my jacket when I went when I was a kid and got a dime sized burn on the back of my neck, that sucked. Plus my dad didnt get the lunch thing so when we stopped in Osier we didnt get anything to eat. Not the best experance as a kid lol I remember the trip being long and boaring (I was more interested in the trains than the scenery back then) Though I would like to ride it again and I’m planning to do so when I go down to ride the Durango & Silverton again next year
As for the “passenger cars” colors (cough-rebuiltfreightcars-cough) they used to be green. I just picked up a steam DVD pack from Sams Club that has one about the Cumbres & Toltec. They looked better in green, the red is just to bright for me doesnt look right [sigh]
The Grand Canyon train still offers various packages which include overnight stays at the Grand Canyon. The railroad was purchased this past year by the same company, Xanterra, which operates all lodges in the Natinal Park. (I am employed at the El Tovar.) There is at least one train each day except Christmas. Sometimes there are two trains a day. Steam does stop after Labor Day but trains may be pulled by Alco PA/PB sets any day of the year.
Thanks for the pictures, Keith. The Cumbres and Toltec is the first steam powered train ride my husband took me on soon after we were married. The scenery was fantastic, and I spent the entire trip hanging outside the car taking pictures. About halfway into the trip, my husband would get this goofy smile on his face whenever he looked at me. I thought it was because he was thinking what a great choice he made in a spouse. When we got into our car at Chama, I looked in the visor mirror and discovered what he was smiling at. My face was covered in soot with two perfect circles where my sunglasses had been.
