One of the nice things about living in the Colorado mountains are the number of narrow gauge trains to be found in and around the state. I am a fan of these tiny railroads running through spectacular terrain and enjoy exploring them whenever the situation allows.
 |
| My intrepid traveling companions are always ready to chase trains |
 |
| There is a great railroad display back in the canyon at Cimarron, CO showcasing a narrow gauge train on a section of bridge |
 |
| The engine and cars have recently been cosmetically restored |
 |
| The bridge itself is a link and pin structure that is historically significant in its own right |
 |
| The Cumbres and Toltec Railroad is a National Historic Landmark and a location to see steam powered historic locomotives in operation. We were at the western end of the railroad in Chama, New Mexico. |
 |
| You are allowed to explore the railyard, but need to be especially careful |
 |
| I like the fact they have plants and flowers growing on the station platform |
 |
| Lots of historic rail equipment is found around the Chama rail yard. This rotary snow plow is operational |
 |
| This one is in the process of repair |
 |
| Some engines are undergoing restoration |
 |
| The oil loading facility is found at the east end of the rail yard |
 |
| Looking down the rail yard towards the west |
 |
| This is one of the rail speeders that follows the steam engines and checks for fire caused by sparks |
 |
| One of the narrow gauge box cars getting all new structure |
 |
| For special occasions the C&T RR logo is removed and other narrow gauge railroads logo is put in place, in this case the Rio Grande Southern. These are then used for photography purposes to recreate scenes of yesteryear for photographers |
 |
| 484 is being prepped for the next days passenger train |
 |
| Lubricating the engine for the morning trek up the hill |
 |
| We drove our minivan and spent the night roughing it at the Rio Chama RV Park |
 |
| Up and at'em the next day to chase trains up the hill |
 |
| This bridge is at the edge of the campground |
 |
| It is a well known photographers location |
 |
| This is known as the 'Fred Jukes' tree and is a famous location to photograph trains framed by the bridge near the RV Park. Note the branches missing on one side of the tree. Fred popularized the location decades ago. |
 |
| One of the more traditional images of the railroad |
 |
| Lots of opportunities to set up and photograph trains heading up the hill to Cumbres Pass |
 |
| Trains are always followed by speeders looking for smoke and fires |
 |
| We made ourselves comfortable while waiting for the train to pass by. Windy Point is above us in the background. |
 |
| A telephoto lens shows the train heading around Windy Point on its way to Cumbres Pass |
 |
| Train getting ready to leave the water fill at Cumbres Pass. In the winter snow can reach depths of 20 feet here |
 |
| Heading downhill from Cumbres |
 |
| The train was stopped by a herd of cattle passing in front of it. Cowboys on horses guided the herd. Not often you see a narrow gauge steam passenger train stopped by cowboys on horses. |
 |
| The other end of the C&T RR is in Antonito, Colorado |
 |
| They were preparing for the Victorian Steam Days and were prepping the steam powered pile driver for the upcoming demonstrations |
 |
| There is an active group of volunteers called "Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec". These folks rebuild and restore various parts of the railroad. Here they are getting ready to paint a tank car. |
 |
| Restored equipment is kept under roof |
 |
| Some of the equipment is in pretty rough shape before they begin work |
 |
| This beauty is ready to haul passengers behind wood burning steam engines |
 |
| Always interesting to see what they have tucked away inside the engine house |
