My Favorite Place - An Introduction & A Little History

484 performing a blow down

Throughout my childhood we went on one vacation. Really, it was many vacations, but we went to one place. We went to Chama, New Mexico, and rode the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. My dad is a train fan, but he loves this railroad most of all. These trips led to my love for trains. We rode the C&TSRR almost every year from the time I was in kindergarten until I was 18. As an adult my love for this railroad has not changed. The Cumbres & Toltec is my favorite place.

The water tank and coal tipple in Chama, NM

Since I now live on the East Coast, I have ridden quite a few other railroads, both steam and diesel, but the Cumbres & Toltec remains my favorite. This railroad is historic, scenic, and all around fun. It is family friendly and can be enjoyed by history buffs, train fans, people looking for something fun to do, by people of all ages. Riding the rails is a joyful experience.

Train coming up to Lava Tank

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad runs from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado, crossing the border eleven times along the way. Depending on which trip you choose, the journey can take anywhere from four to eight hours. The entire length of the railroad is 64 miles, much of that journey is traveled while winding up and down the mountains, sometimes along a 4% grade. On the Antonito end you will go through the San Luis Valley. This end of the route is beautiful in its own way. The landscape is no longer the lush green mountains, but a more barren land with beautiful views of mountains in the distance.

From the train looking 600 feet down into Toltec Gorge

During the ride you will see huge gorges, tunnels, trestles, mountains, valleys, rivers, and creeks. You can see elk, mule deer, cattle, sheep, horses, pronghorns and other wildlife from the train. The scenery is magnificent. Some of the sights you will see were used for advertising great American adventures, during the hey day of railroads. Even in these modern times the sights are stunning.

The railroad, originally built in 1880, is 3 foot narrow gauge. The original track was abandoned in 1969 and much of the track dismantled. Thankfully a group of rail fans and preservationists fought for the railroad and it reopened a few years later as the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. It is now run by the states of Colorado and New Mexico. It has help with historical preservation from The Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The C&TSRR became a National Historic Landmark in 2012.

When you ride the Cumbres and Toltec your train will be pulled with an authentic steam locomotive. These locomotives were built between 1902 and 1925. The railroad also has many passengers cars, box cars, gondolas, and other assorted rolling stock.

Many movies have been filmed along the Cumbres & Toltec. Some of the most famous movies filmed here are Shootout with Gregory Peck, Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade with Harrison Ford, and Showdown with Dean Martin. More recently A Million Ways to Die in The West was filmed along the railroad.

Working on the drop bottom gondola

Many of these cars have been rebuilt by the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec over the years. When I was 18, my dad and I helped rebuild one of the drop bottom gondola cars. It was an interesting experience. The work the Friends do to keep up with the historical preservation is wonderful. They help maintain buildings and many other things along the railroad line. The Friends also have docents that ride the train to help answer questions and give interesting information about the railroad, scenery, wildlife, and much more.

Riding the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is always interesting. Each trip is a little different than the one before, so take a step back in time and experience the thrill of a steam train and the stunning landscape of the Wild West.

You can learn more about riding the train here. You can learn more about supporting the railroad and joining the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad here.

Friends of the C&TSRR work week in 2001

463 in Osier, CO during the lunch stop

Sources:

History - Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2016, from http://cumbrestoltec.com/history/

Latest News. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2016, from http://www.cumbrestoltec.org/