Steam Engine – Page 2 – Not Your Average Engineer

October 7, 2016December 14, 2017

Cumbres and Toltec: From Chama to Cumbres Pass

Pulling in at the top of Cumbres Pass after the long, hard grade coming up from Chama, New Mexico on the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad.

Heading across some open alpine meadows on the way to Cumbres Pass.

Looking out into the valley full of aspens changing color.

Coming around a tight spot on the way up to the pass with our double-header train.

Into a thicket of golden aspens.

The fancy parlor car was deserted because everyone was outside in the observation cars enjoying the scenery.

There once was a water tower here for a movie set that used to be in this meadow. Not anymore.

The two of us on the train!

October 7, 2016November 17, 2017

Cumbres and Toltec: Chama, New Mexico

After taking the bus from Antonito to Chama, we checked out the rail yard for a while as the train crew got the double-header train ready to go. They need two engines to pull most trains over the pass on the way back to Colorado. Occasionally they’ll have three engines but today it was only two.

The old depot at Chama is in good shape thanks to the Cumbres and Toltec still operating the line over the pass.

People starting to load up on the train.

The engines getting ready to go.

The old coal tower at the end of the yard is still in good shape and really neat to see.

The business end of the steam engines.

Standing in front of the double header!

Some other engines are sitting waiting for the day that they’re needed in the yard.

On the train heading out of the yard.

The water tower is still in use at Chama.

October 7, 2016July 1, 2020

Cumbres and Toltec: Antonito, Colorado in the Morning

Heather and I joined the Rising Sun 4×4 Club’s annual Cumbres and Toltec trip this year. After driving down from Denver, we camped out with the group near Sublett, an old section house station on the railroad. The next morning we went down into Antonito to catch the bus to Charma where we would later get on the train heading back to Colorado. While we waited for the bus, we walked around the yards in Antonito to check out the sights. The engine heading up the consist heading to New Mexico was getting ready to go.

The southwest bound train getting staged.

The engine getting turned around and ready to go.

A tiny speeder on display.

Getting steamed up and ready to go.