A Day on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic – Oct 2001

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic is currently probably the best preservation effort that the Denver & Rio Grande Western will ever know. They maintain 64 miles of the original narrow gauge line between Antonito, CO, and Chama, NM – the eastern end of the line that brought the miners and supplies to the San Juans of southwest Colorado and the line that brought the minerals out. Thanks to the Friends of the C&TS coming to the rescue in March of 2000, the railroad is recovering from a bit of neglect and once again is becoming a world-class operating museum. In addition to providing an operator for the line, the group has also restored a great deal of equipment and sections of track.

Not having been down to the C&TS since my first visit in 1990, I decided to head down on Saturday, 6-Oct-2001. I’d heard a rumor the day before of a triple-header, but I didn’t put much faith in that due to tourism being down lately (for obvious reasons). However, after wading my truck through a few cattle drives between Antonito and Chama, I found CATS 463, 497, and 489 heading up the train sitting in the Chama yard. Due to the delays inevitable in getting all those tourists on board, the eastbound train didn’t actually pull out until almost 1040h, 40 minutes after scheduled departure. In the meantime, what seemed like half the population of Colorado and New Mexico showed up, ready to follow the train up the hill.

The aspen trees were just finishing their fall colors, and the weather held out nicely until around 1300h, making for a great morning to photograph all three working uphill. Once the train had left Cumbres, I headed back down the hill to Chama to have a look around. After the somewhat accidental discovery of Bob Zorn’s Trackside Emporium and buying a couple books (Rio Grande in Color Volume 3, which had just been released, and Short Line to Cripple Creek – Colorado Rail Annual No. 16, since I live almost at the base of the line here in the Springs), as well as a quick lunch at Fosters, I went back up to await the westbound train at Los Pinos.

The westbound, lead by CATS 487, showed up around 30 minutes late – not bad, considering the delay placed on it by the eastbound train. Since traffic on the line only moves at around 15 MPH, it’s not hard to run off a hundred shots between Los Pinos, CO, and Chama, NM (especially when I’m shooting digital and don’t have to reload). By the time it had arrived down in Chama, it, too, had picked up a sizable quantity of pursuing fans. At this point, though, with the four hour drive back to Colorado Springs, I decided to call it a day and head for home.

Since there’s not much more to say that hasn’t been written before, I thought I’d just leave you to the photos. Enjoy!

I think this about says it all about this trip... — I think this about says it all about this trip…

After waiting for nearly 40 minutes after departure time, the triple-header finally leaves Chama and towards the start of the climb. Lead by CATS 463, the train also had CATS 497 and 489 trailing, along with 20 cars of passengers, all sold out.

Though the peak foliage color was really a week before, the aspens down at lower altitudes are still looking good. Love those three matching elbows sticking out... — Though the peak foliage color was really a week before, the aspens down at lower altitudes are still looking good. Love those three matching elbows sticking out…

The first catch north of Chama, where the road and railway rejoin. Only about 50 people were on hand to capture this moment... — The first catch north of Chama, where the road and railway rejoin. Only about 50 people were on hand to capture this moment…

Continuing up the hill towards Cumbres, the color is getting better and the herd of railfans is starting to clear (though not by much). It's good to see so many fans (and non-fans) out because they're interested. — Continuing up the hill towards Cumbres, the color is getting better and the herd of railfans is starting to clear (though not by much). It’s good to see so many fans (and non-fans) out because they’re interested.

After cutting the power apart and taking each unit over the Lobato trestle separately (it won't safely support the weight of more than one of these larger narrow gauge engines at a time), the three are back together and pounding uphill again. — After cutting the power apart and taking each unit over the Lobato trestle separately (it won’t safely support the weight of more than one of these larger narrow gauge engines at a time), the three are back together and pounding uphill again.

The three work along the hillside just below the Cresco siding and tank.

Cutting off the helper power, 463 and 497 are wyed and prepared for the trip back down to Chama.

With the helpers off, 489 heads downhill out of Chama towards Osier and lunch.

Remember, only you can prevent forest fires... Or at least you and motorcar number 12, seen here returning at Coxo, CO. — Remember, only you can prevent forest fires… Or at least you and motorcar number 12, seen here returning at Coxo, CO.

After catching some lunch, it was back up to Los Pinos to catch the westbound train, led by CATS 487. Unfortunately, my shots from around the Los Pinos tank didn't come out as well as I'd liked, so I used this shot from Apache Crossing between there and Cumbres. — After catching some lunch, it was back up to Los Pinos to catch the westbound train, led by CATS 487. Unfortunately, my shots from around the Los Pinos tank didn’t come out as well as I’d liked, so I used this shot from Apache Crossing between there and Cumbres.

The westbound train preparing to stop in Cumbres

Passing the tank at Cresco - no need to stop, since we're running downhill. — Passing the tank at Cresco – no need to stop, since we’re running downhill.

Coming through the S-curve about halfway between Cresco and Lobato

487 and train step out onto the Lobato trestle

Winding up the trip as the train crosses Hwy 17 coming into Chama, NM.

A bit of the old west still lives... right in the middle of Hwy 17 - in this case, my big grey Yukon against a big brown cow. I decided to let the cow win, but not without leaning out the window to moo at it (yes, I'm weird). — A bit of the old west still lives… right in the middle of Hwy 17 – in this case, my big grey Yukon against a big brown cow. I decided to let the cow win, but not without leaning out the window to moo at it (yes, I’m weird).

The evening light makes CATS 489 look great against the storm in the background at Antonito, CO. 489 has been cut off the eastbound train and turned for Sunday's movement back west. — The evening light makes CATS 489 look great against the storm in the background at Antonito, CO. 489 has been cut off the eastbound train and turned for Sunday’s movement back west.

This work is copyright 2024 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.

Nathan D. Holmes

Personal Projects, Photography, and Pointless Pontifications

A Day on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic – Oct 2001

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