Cumbres & Toltec Railroad

CUMBRES & TOLTEC RAILROAD

This train is America's highest and longest narrow gauge railroad.

Both Durango to Silverton and the Cumbres & Toltec were important parts of transporting silver from the mining camps to Denver.

Now they are a strictly scenic and enjoyable remnant of our history.

This narrow gauge train runs from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado

and crosses the border 11 times.

There are many curves and switchbacks in order to get to the elevation of 10,022 ft

in the 64 mile trek. (at a no more than 4% grade)

 

The scenery varies from flat prairie, high desert, to pine forests with deep gorges  (Toltec gorge) and beautiful valleys

Passengers are anxious to grab the leaves for a souvenir.

Grab the rocks?  Not so much.

Toltec Gorge

Beautiful views abound!

Intersection of the highway and train track:

The road from Chama to Antonito takes 1 hour,

the train trip takes all day!

The steam engines require LOTS of water to operate.

These water tanks are all along the way.

We had to stop to fill several times,

It takes about 2500 gallons of water.

An emergency water buggy always follows about a mile behind to put out any fires that may start from the coal cinders.

He carries about 250 gallons of water.

When we approached Cumbres Pass (10,022 ft) 

"that little engine couldn't"  make it up the rest of the grade,

so it detached and a bigger engine took over.

"This little engine could"

Note the coal behind the engine--the trip requires 3 tons of coal loaded into the boiler and one person is required to shovel for the entire trip! 

Railroad families used to live in these buildings.

They needed a good amount of supplies for the winter months, as the winter snows could shut you in for a long time.

Children usually rode the train down to the city to go to school, stayed with family or friends then rode home at the end of the week.

Heading down the hill required lots of braking and the smell was awful!

The trip was terrific - a very nice day 

and we highly recommend the ride.