Steam & Excursion > "High Plains Drifter"

No ..... Clint Eastwood is nowhere to be seen, but this video displays a classic scene of a Cumbres & Toltec excursion returning to Antonito, CO as a southeast wind whips across the prairie in September 2017



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/24 03:33 by cinder.

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Nice video.  I swear that I could hear the turbo generator spinning away before the whistling started.

I used to enjoy rolling into "Tonyville" at a hot 22mph (the legal limit) when I ran there in my youth.  ]]Even more fun was zooming out of town in the morning climbing the moderate 1.42% grade.   488 seems to be barely hitting 15-18.  Hmmph.....

FYI if you look on the horizon on the right side of the shot, you will see a small hill.  This is Big Horn Peak.  The RR runs just past it to the right some 20 railroad miles behind the train.  Big Horn Siding is located there.

Thanks so much for your video. It kind of reminds me of the movie.

I had the privledge of riding the Cumbres and Toltec this summer with a friend. The trip included quite a variety of scenery like the sage grass in your video that went on for miles. But there were two tunnels, high bridges, mountain scenery, wildlife. What a treasure. Thanks go to those folks who had the foresight to save the Rio Grande narrow gauge that includes the C&T and the the D&S. The meet of the two trains in the middle of the railroad at the big hall that served great food was great too. Just wow, and we rode behind vintage steam.  

This was our engineer. Anyone familiar with this guy? 

 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/24 10:32 by wabash2800.

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Don't know who this man is, but he was part of the crew on September 10, 2017. seven years earlier..... different hat; similar sunglasses.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/24 07:27 by cinder.

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Ronny Lopez....  hell of a great guy.

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks so much for your video. It kind of reminds
> me of the movie.
>
> I had the privledge of riding the Cumbres and
> Toltec this summer with a friend. The trip
> included quite a variety of scenery like the sage
> grass in your video that went on for miles. But
> there were two tunnels, high bridges, mountain
> scenery, wildlife. What a treasure. Thanks go
> those folks who had the foresight to save the Rio
> Grande narrow gauge that includes the C&T and the
> the D&S. The meet of the two trains in the middle
> of the railroad at the big hall that served great
> food was great too. Just wow, and we rode behind
> vintage steam.  
>
> This was our engineer. Anyone familiar with this
> guy? 
>
>  

Yes, when I asked if I could get up in the cab, he said OK but to make it quick as he had a train to get underway!

Posted from Android



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/24 10:33 by wabash2800.

Thanks. I figured someone would know his identity. I suspect the enclosed sunglasses are like safety glasses as they also protect his eyes from cinders. Sorry if I hijacked the thread.

Posted from Android



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/24 10:34 by wabash2800.

L to R: Superintendent Marvin Casias, Enginemen Jeff Stebbins and Ronnie Lopez, and Conductor Lucas Maez.

Posted from iPhone

Oh ..... And I did ask permission to take their picture.  

Ronny is a great guy as they all are. He's been there for many years. 

Mike ONeill
Parker, CO

Would anyone know the two crews who ran the Friends of the C&TS photo freight this past August 3?  One crew covered the westbound run from Antonito to Osier; the second crew ran the eastbound return trip.

That special Saturday was a highlight of this past year, and I'm looking forward to see what 2025 might bring.    
  

And a great photo it is.. It may be a tourist railroad, but they are all railroaders. It's takes skill and dedication too run those trains through the mountains and prairies, and with an antique steamer to boot.

cinder Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh ..... And I did ask permission to take their
> picture.  



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/24 12:21 by wabash2800.