Steam & Excursion > Colorado/New Mexico Trip Day 3: Double Header 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 3: On the previous day, we overheard that the next day (July 22nd), the eastbound passenger train from Chama would have a double header up the 4% grade. And soon enough, we saw them add a couple more passenger cars before going home for the day. The total amount of cars for the train the next day would be ten. 

We spent the night in Antonito and woke up bright and early. The fireman/engineer school train from the previous day would be heading south from Antonito to Chama. We headed south out of Antonito on dirt roads to Hangman's Trestle, several miles south of town. The train departed right at eight and the lighting could not be any better. Once we got the school train at the trestle, we raced back to Chama in time for the double header run up the 4% grade. 

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1) The Sangre de Cristo Range can be seen in the background as the school train led by K-36 No. 489 heads south near Hangman's Trestle.

2) The school train crosses Hangman's Trestle.

3) The eastbound double header to Antonito departed Chama right on time at 10:00am and is seen passing Juke's Tree just east of town. 

There's more...

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

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4) The double header is seen exiting The Narrows west of Lobato.

5) The train continues to work hard up the 4% grade east of Labato near Dalton.

6) The train is seen near Cresco, Colorado.

There's more...

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

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7) Looking down to Coxo from near Windy Point, we see the double header approaching the highway crossing west of Cumbres.

8) After uncoupling from the passenger train, the helper locomotive wyes at the summit before taking on water and heading back down to Chama. 

9) Down the hill, K-27 No. 463 takes the train down the hill for the remaining of the trip to Antonito, seen here at Los Pinos.

One more...

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

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10) The eastbound passenger train can be seen going towards Osier over the trestle near Los Pinos. 

Thanks for looking!

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

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Very nice work.  Thanks for sharing.

Are are simply lovely.  Well done.

Martin

You done did gooood.

Roger Hogan
Chama, NM
Train Stuff

Excellent photos, John.

~Ryan

These are simply spectacular!

Tnak you for sharing

 

Excellent work John, just hope I can get some good ones next month when I am there.

Sharon Evans
Glen Allen, VA

Excellent...

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com 

GREAT pics!! Thanks for posting.