Colorado Narrow Gauge Railroads

Abandoned

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:37:37 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec, Chama Yards

Coming Home

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:37:05 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec, Chama Yard.

Engine #484 making its 4 PM arrival in Chama from Antonito.

Whiplash

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:36:31 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec RR

The train as it enters the valley. This area is known as "whiplash" as the train takes a tight 180 degree radius in the valley. The valley is viewable from above via Hwy 17, or if it's your lucky day, you can drive into the valley floor through private property with the permission of the owners. This shot is from the floor of the valley, and yes, I did get permission.

Antonito Starting Point

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:36:07 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec

A view of the train leaving Antonito, Colorado station. I took this shot from the window of the rear car.

If you ride the train, try to get a seat in the rear car. You'll get plenty of opportunity find shots of the front of the train along the rout.

Trestle Crossing

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:35:20 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec RR.

This trestle bridge is located a few hundred yards west of the Cumbres station along Hwy 17.

Over the Bridge

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:34:22 -0600

Georgetown Loop.

Photographed from the Lebanon Mine area. You'll want to add the mine tour to your ticket, just to get some great shots of the trains and to see the old silver mine. Lots of vintage equipment and buildings.

Morning Drama

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:33:59 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec, Chama Yard

Dawn at the Engine House

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:33:42 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec, Chama Yard.

You can roam the yards freely in Chama, New Mexico.

Silverton Yard

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:33:31 -0600

Durango & Silverton RR

Vintage rail car in the Silverton, Colorado yard.

Osier Pit Stop

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:33:25 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec

Mid-point of the run between Antonito and Chama, the train makes a stop at the Osier Station for lunch.

Windy Point

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:33:23 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec RR

Windy Point is the most photographed scene along the route. This shot was taken from just off of Highway 17.

Up the Mountain

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:33:20 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec RR.

Another view from the rear car of the train as it heads up towards Toltec Gorge out of Antonito.

Water Tower

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:33:18 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec RR, outside of Antonito

The section between Osier and Antonito is through some rough country. You'll find old watering stations along the route.

Heading to Antonito

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:33:13 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec RR

View from a hill below Windy Point of the train as it heads towards Antonito.

Silverton Station

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:32:47 -0600

Durango & Silverton RR

There are two stations in Silverton. This shot is original stop from the old days, complete with vintage equipment and pretty young ladies in period dress. If you're riding the train, it will pass through here and drop you off at a newer station in the town of Silverton.

Engine #12

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:47:57 -0600

Georgetown Loop Narrow Gauge Railroad

Engine #12 is the mainstay steam engine on the Loop. Obtained from Hawaii, she sports a Hula Girl on top of the running lamp. This engine is expected to be operational again by the end of August, 2009.

Engine #9

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:44:43 -0600

Georgetown Loop Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Georgetown Loop in Georgetown, Colorado has two vintage steam engines. Engine #9 is out on loan to another railroad as of the Summer of 2009. In this 2006 photo, it sits outside of the engine house in Silverplume, in pristine condition.

Rockwood Station

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:10:01 -0600

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Early Autumn, late in the afternoon the train as it pulls into the Rockwood, Colorado Station during the return run from Silverton to Durango. The train has just come off the High-Line.

Stopped and Waiting

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:09:33 -0600

Union Pacific Railroad

Engine 844 is stopped north of Greeley, Colorado as it waits for rail traffic ahead to pull off to a siding. We had been chasing this engine for many miles and upon finding it stopped in the tracks, a huge crowd gathered.

Silverton Lunch Stop

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:09:18 -0600

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

The second of three trains as it arrives in Silverton, Colorado. The railroad runs three trains each day, at 45 minute intervals. Once the third train arrives, the 1st train (in the background) will make it's return to Durango.

Antonito, Colorado

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:09:14 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway

The view from the rear of the train as it heads West towards Chama, New Mexico from Antonito, Colorado.

Emgine #484 - Chama Yard

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:09:07 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway

Chama, New Mexico. Engine 484 has completed a day's work and is moving into the watering station in preparation for an evenings rest.

Engine #487 - Chama Yard

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:08:55 -0600

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway

Engine 487 passes the coaling tower as it prepares to hook up for the day's run.

Picking up Steam

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:08:51 -0600

Union Pacific Railroad.

Union Pacific #844 on it's way to Cheyenne, Wyoming after passing through Greeley, Colorado. Once the tracks ahead clear, this train will run at high speed.