Cumbres and Toltec Motor Car trip

The Cumbres and Toltec railroad runs tourist steam trains between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. This is a very scenic railroad that includes long hard climbs up the mountains, rocky outcroppings, a rock lined tunnel, a wood lined tunnel, aspen and pine forests and high desert.

This is a narrow gauge railroad meaning the rails are three feet apart rather than the more common four feet, eight and one half inches between the rails. In years past this track was part of the Denver and Rio Grande railroad. The railroad is now owned by the States of Colorado and New Mexico and is supported to bring tourism into the area. 

The National Association of Rail Car Owners (NARCOA) sponsored a ride on the railroad for owners of private narrow gauge railroad motor cars. These are sometimes known as rail speeders and were once owned by the railroads. These were sold at auction over the years and many went to the hands of private individuals who have restored them to better than new condition.

We were invited to ride with our friends Mark and Deby in their four place motor car. This is a beautiful A4 Fairmont gang car and is equipped with rain curtains and an intercom system to allow easy communication.

Our group of motor cars was treated as an extra by the railroad and we were routed with the regular scheduled steam passenger trains which allowed many great steam train pass bys.

We set on the track in the historic rail yard at Chama

Motor cars share the trackage with narrow gauge freight cars

The Cumbres and Toltec is former Denver and Rio Grande railroad. Deby poses with some of the historic equipment.

After a hard climb up the mountain you arrive the the Cumbres station on top of Cumbres Pass

The wild flowers are in full blloom in late August on Cumbres Pass

We rode in this car named 'Duchess"

Water is supplied to steam engines by this water spout

It is a popular place to park while at the top of the pass

This section of track loops back on itself so you can see motor cars coming and going. The story is told of the conductor on a train getting off the caboose, walking down the hill to talk to the train engineer and then getting on his caboose as it passed by. The curves are that sharp.

On the siding waiting for the tourist train to pass

We stayed well away from the trains as they passed

Sublette was a small town called home by the track workers over the years. It is no longer inhabited but still used as a passing siding

The town is maintained by volunteers who support the railroad. In Sublette they paint scenes on the "windows". The windows are actually wooden panels which helps with vandalism.

Private motor car on left, railroad motor car on the right

Beautiful scenery along the way

Julie enjoying the day

We often met the steam trains at Osier which is the lunch stop restaurant

We met both the east and west bound trains at Osier

The view from the restaurant windows  is impressive

Mark visiting with Pat

I found the 'selfie' function on my camera

Deby and Julie

Another steam train meet

Posed at the Cresco Tank

Just before entering the "Rock Tunnel" is this very scenic rock retaining wall for the track

Duchess at Rock Tunnel

Phillip is the event coordinator

Entering Rock Tunnel

Massive cliffs along the track

This is the lined tunnel and is known as 'Mud Tunnel'

Leaving "Mud Tunnel"

Lined up to leave after spending the night in Antonito

No more standard gauge track after this point

Lava tank in a very stark setting - gotta watch for rattlers around here

Mark at the Lava Tank

Steve and John at the Lava Tank in the high desert outside of Antonito - thanks for the picture Mark!

This appears to be a water spout for filling steam engines with water, but is actually a movie prop used in Raiders of the Lost Ark which allowed Indiana Jones to swing on the spout while fighting on the train.

Entering the Chama rail yard

They do a nice job with the flowers at the Chama Station