Vacation 2017, The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railraod, Antonito, Colorado

The Cumbres & Toltec ScenicRailroad

The Cumbres & Toltec is located in the southern Colorado town of Antonito. The railroad is a historic line that winds it's way though high mountain meadows for 64 miles and over a 10,000 foot pass to Chama, New Mexico

You Tube Video of Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

This scenic narrow gauge railroad is unique in many ways from the passenger cars and classic coal powered steam locomotives. The staff is very friendly and accommodating giving good access to all the equipment that makes this railroad so special. 

During my journey I took the excursion from Antonito, CO to Chama, NM, a 65 mile route through the rugged Rocky Mountains of southern Colorado. We passed through the high plains of Colorado up through some fabulous mountain valleys on our way up to Cumbres Pass at 10,022 feet. All the way the locomotive bellowed and howled it's way up the four percent grade in places moving along at about 15 miles an hour. I spent most of my time in the open observation car taking in the spectacular views. The following images depict the amazing area and it's unique beauty. The following images need no captions. They tell there own story.

  

At about the half way point in our journey we stopped for lunch at Oser, CO for a hearty buffet with a selection of turkey or meat loaf with all the trimmings for the main course with salad and desert included. Here the sister train that started it's journey in Chama, NM picked up the passengers that purchased the half way option to take them back to Antonito, CO. The same was true for those passengers who came up from Chama. They boarded our train for the ride back to Chama. My excursion was for the full excursion from Antonito to Chama after which we were taken by bus back to Antonito. Each excursion whether it is a return trip from half way or the full ride included the buffet in the cost of the ticket. 

Oser terminal, half way point

Station at Oser serving the buffet

Water Tower at Oser, CO, Engineer spot checking the locomotive

Our sister train heading back to Antonito

After lunch we headed up to Cumbres pass before desending about 2,500 feet back down the mountain valleys to Chama, NM. I would highly recommend taking this scenic railway excursion. It is certainly one that I will always remember.

Cumbres Pass, 10,022 feet

The following images need no captions as there beauty speaks volumes about the the journey

At the end of my journey at arrived at Chama, NM. Just before our arrival into Chama we passed the remnants of a movie prop that was used in one of the early Indiana Jones movies.

Base of a Water Tower that was used in a early Indiana Jones movie

Chama freight yare

Chama, NM depot