Ridin' the rails
One of our best days this whole trip was last week when we rode the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. We had a fabulous day- perfect weather with swaths of aspens turning yellow and gold on the mountainsides.
Our trip left by bus from Antonito, CO, a little over an hour's drive north of Taos where we were staying. We arrived in Chamas, NM at the other end in time to board the train for the ride back. Promptly at 10 o'clock, the whistle blasted and we chugged out of the station.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is different than most tourist lines. It's a traveling railroad museum. It's owned jointly by the states of New Mexico and Colorado and run by a commission - a not-for-profit railroad with a mission to be historically accurate. Friends of the Cumbres volunteer their time to restore buildings and equipment to historical accuracy and help with maintenance. I spoke to the volunteer docent on our platform car, Allen Noel, who is a train buff and he said this is his favorite railroad trip.
The morning ride was a doubleheader. We had two coal-fired steam engines pulling us up the grade to Osier, our lunch stop. The scenery was outstanding. As the train rounded bends, George could get good shots of the engines ahead.
We noticed that behind us was a little car called a speeder. We wondered why he was following us and found out that his job is to put out fires! Cinders from the steam engine light small fires along the track. C&T has a perfect record of putting out the five to seven fires that start each trip on the Chamas to Osier leg of the line.
After lunch we boarded another train heading to Antonito. Only one engine is needed on the downhill side. The railroad offers several different trips but all come to Osier for lunch. On this leg we went through two tunnels and descended into the high desert country. We did spot a few pronghorn antelope as we rode through sage country.
As we neared the end of our trip, I asked more about the volunteer program through the Friends. They have three two-week long work parties plus the docent program. Allen is here for his second summer, working for six weeks as a docent. That means he is out on the open observation cars giving a narration and answering questions. Training and a test is required before becoming a docent. Allen's only "compensation" is lunch on the days he volunteers but his travel and lodging and some other expenses are tax deductible since it is a nonprofit.
We spent most of the trip out on the open observation car. George had said the previous time he rode with his late-wife, Susie, they came back covered with soot. We were fortunate the wind carried off most of the smoke and soot to the side. It is a different experience riding outside, feeling the wind, smelling the trees, smelling the coal - well I could have done without that! On a nasty day, though, sitting inside a car, with postcard views framed by your window, would be appreciated.
We highly recommend this trip. Other passengers told us it is beautiful other seasons and you usually see lots of wildlife. Fall is gorgeous but hunting season was on so we only got a glimpse of deer or elk plus the few antelope off in the distance. If you are a train buff, you might even think of volunteering here. Another RV friend, Dick, has come to the work parties each summer for years. Jaimie Photos By George
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Our trip left by bus from Antonito, CO, a little over an hour's drive north of Taos where we were staying. We arrived in Chamas, NM at the other end in time to board the train for the ride back. Promptly at 10 o'clock, the whistle blasted and we chugged out of the station.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is different than most tourist lines. It's a traveling railroad museum. It's owned jointly by the states of New Mexico and Colorado and run by a commission - a not-for-profit railroad with a mission to be historically accurate. Friends of the Cumbres volunteer their time to restore buildings and equipment to historical accuracy and help with maintenance. I spoke to the volunteer docent on our platform car, Allen Noel, who is a train buff and he said this is his favorite railroad trip.
The morning ride was a doubleheader. We had two coal-fired steam engines pulling us up the grade to Osier, our lunch stop. The scenery was outstanding. As the train rounded bends, George could get good shots of the engines ahead.
We noticed that behind us was a little car called a speeder. We wondered why he was following us and found out that his job is to put out fires! Cinders from the steam engine light small fires along the track. C&T has a perfect record of putting out the five to seven fires that start each trip on the Chamas to Osier leg of the line.
After lunch we boarded another train heading to Antonito. Only one engine is needed on the downhill side. The railroad offers several different trips but all come to Osier for lunch. On this leg we went through two tunnels and descended into the high desert country. We did spot a few pronghorn antelope as we rode through sage country.
As we neared the end of our trip, I asked more about the volunteer program through the Friends. They have three two-week long work parties plus the docent program. Allen is here for his second summer, working for six weeks as a docent. That means he is out on the open observation cars giving a narration and answering questions. Training and a test is required before becoming a docent. Allen's only "compensation" is lunch on the days he volunteers but his travel and lodging and some other expenses are tax deductible since it is a nonprofit.
We spent most of the trip out on the open observation car. George had said the previous time he rode with his late-wife, Susie, they came back covered with soot. We were fortunate the wind carried off most of the smoke and soot to the side. It is a different experience riding outside, feeling the wind, smelling the trees, smelling the coal - well I could have done without that! On a nasty day, though, sitting inside a car, with postcard views framed by your window, would be appreciated.
We highly recommend this trip. Other passengers told us it is beautiful other seasons and you usually see lots of wildlife. Fall is gorgeous but hunting season was on so we only got a glimpse of deer or elk plus the few antelope off in the distance. If you are a train buff, you might even think of volunteering here. Another RV friend, Dick, has come to the work parties each summer for years. Jaimie Photos By George
Return to RVHometown.com
Fall in Colorado -- a most beautiful time. Helps to recall the train ride that I took perhaps 10 years ago. Thanks for the memories and the photos.
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