Steam & Excursion > Colorado/New Mexico Trip Day 2: Three Trains on the C&TS

From July 20th through the 22nd, myself, Trainorders member wko, and our friend Max Wipperman took a three day trip down to Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico to document the semaphore signals on BNSF's Raton and Glorieta Subdivisions and also get the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.  

Day 2: After getting the semaphore signals on BNSF's Raton and Glorieta Subdivisions, we spent Day 2 on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. The railroad was gonna be running three trains that day, which included both passenger trains and a fireman/engineer school train. The school train departed Chama at 8:00am for Antonito which both passenger trains departed on schedule from Chama and Antonito at 10:00am. This was my first time visiting the C&TS, so the experience was amazing. By the end of the day, we then found out that the passenger train the next day to Antonito will be a double header (that will be another thread) as more passenger cars were added to the train before the hostlers took over. 

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1) The early morning sunshine lights up D&RGW K-27 No. 463 and C&TS K-36 No. 488 at the shops in Chama, New Mexico. 

2) C&TS K-36 No. 489 puts on a show while leaving Chama next to the coaling tower with the school train. 

3) The school train works up the 4% grade at Dalton.

There's more...

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

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4) The sun pokes out at the right time as the school train continues to climb the 4% between Lobato and Cresco about 1/2 mile west of the Colorado/New Mexico State Line.

5) At the summit of Cumbres (10,022ft), the school train takes on water before starting its down hill run to Antonito.

6) The eastbound passenger train to Antonito rolls on through the siding at Lobato Siding.

There's more...

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

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I love the third shot. I was firing and the location is one of my favorites as my middle name/mom's family name is Dalton.

Thanks for posting these.

Greg Davis
St Petersburg, FL

7) The passenger train continues to work up the 4% grade between Lobato and Cresco near the state line.

8) Flowers are in bloom at the summit of Cumbres Pass as the passenger train works on the last bit of the 4% grade before stopping to take on water at the summit. 

9) Later that afternoon, the westbound passenger train led by C&TS K-36 No. 484 passes the water tower at Los Pinos, Colorado.

There's more...

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

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10) After making their stop at Cumbres, the westbound passenger train descends the 4% at Coxo, Colorado with Windy Point above the train.

11) The passenger train continues to descend the grade between Cresco and Lobato.

12) After dropping off their passengers at the depot, the train rolls on through the yard in Chama and will go wye at the west end of the yard before tieing up for the day.

Some more...

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

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13) After doing their switching, the hostlers take over and clean out the ash at the pits near the coaling and water towers.

14) The hostlers tend to K-36 No. 484 at the shops in Chama. 

15) Later that evening, K-36 No. 488 slowly rolls into the shops at Antonito, Colorado. 

Thanks for looking!

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/15 08:33 by FrontRangeTrains.

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Super series!  Love shot 4.

Amazing series John with Fantastic scenes! That line has been on my "bucket list" for years, I seriously need to get down there.

John

Great shots

i'll be down there next month shooting on my way back from a show in Durango.
The best of both worlds in narrow gauge country.
 

Samuel Howard
Centennial, CO
Train Room Photography

Excellent shots and vivid color.

Tiy done did gooood.

Roger Hogan
Chama, NM
Train Stuff

Wow! Excellent shots, vivid colors.
Thanks for sharing these great pictures.

Pat
South Austin, TX
 

Look out, now. Once you go to Chama, you want to go  back every year. Be sure to ride out of Chama up the 4% grade to Cumbres and on to Antonito. You will enjoy a delicious lunch at Osier as a part of your trip . You WILL be glad you went out there. I just got back from riding it Sunday 7-26-15. #484,489 and 488 were running  when I was out there.
SP8595 Wrote:

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> Amazing series John with Fantastic scenes! That
> line has been on my "bucket list" for years, I
> seriously need to get down there.

# 8 is my favorite. Perfect composition. THANKS for sharing.

Amazingly good photos!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com 

AWESOME pics!! Thanks.....

Excellent post with fantastic pictures.
John

Great set, makes me want to hop on a plane this minute.