Chama (2024)
Since moving to New Mexico in 2014, and especially during the first few years, new acquaintances we made would ask, "Have you ridden the train yet." Up until the summer of 2024, our response was always:, "No, we have not." Yes, I know, how could two retirees have been so busy it took them nearly 10 years to ride THE train? A very good question for which I do not have a very good answer.
THE train in question is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad train. It's a passenger train pulled by a steam-powered locomotive across narrow gauge tracks originally laid in the 1880s. And if that's not cool enough, according to the Cumbres Toltec website, these restored locomotives and passenger cars "traverse 64 miles between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO" while crossing "the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times." For our first ride on the train (not to be our last) we rode in the restored Victorian-era parlor car, which again, according to their website, afforded a: "level of luxury, service, and comfort that once was reserved for such dignitaries as railroad barons and mining kings." Hey, if you are going to step back in time and relive history, by all means do it in style – like a baron or a king.
In 1970, the states of New Mexico and Colorado jointly purchased the track and line-side structures from Chama to Antonito.
Locomotive 489 is about to exit the maintenance building in Chama, NM and pull a train northward to Antonito, CO.
After arriving at the Chama, NM station by car, we took a charter bus to Antonito, CO for our one-way train ride back to Chama, NM.
About to depart Antonito, CO - cafe-style deluxe car (Chama) and first class parlor car (New Mexico) at the rear of the train.
Just ahead of the deluxe car is the open air gondola car - seatbelts and grab bars not included.
Engineer and fireman preparing to board locomotive 488 for our southward trip back to Chama, NM.
Just one of the trestles crossed on our 5 to 25 mph, 65 mile journey back to Chama, NM - taken from a window in the parlor car.
San Antonio Mountain - a free standing volcanic peak with a base diameter of 5 miles and an elevation of 10,912 ft.
Scattered alone the railway are the remnants of telegraph lines and telegraph stations (about the size of a phone booth).
Taken from the open air gondola car - still not sure how I managed to keep the camera steady - swayed from side to side.
Stopped to top off water tank at otherwise abandoned station - engineer watching as water just starts to run from overflow.
The first one of two tunnels (when heading southward) in route to Chama, NM - taken from the open air gondola.
Having just finished climbing a step grade, the engineer switches from "pouring on the coal" to "letting off steam."
Rock formation affectionately referred to as "Grandpa and Granma."
Second southbound tunnel - young docent with the permanent smile is truly living the dream.
Upon exiting the second tunnel is a 600 foot shear drop off - no leaning over the side for a selfie.
The Rio Chama, a major tributary of the Rio Grande, meanders through Colorado and New Mexico for about 130 miles.
At Osier station, during a lunch break, the two trains swap positions and the two crews swap trains. Do you know why?
Not sure the depth of this cut, but per Wikipedia, "the walls in Chama Canyon rise some 1,500 feet above the river."
Water stops or water stations such as this one (which is no longer used) provided a place to replenish water and coal or wood.
As luck would have it, an honest to gosh cattle drive was taking place - moving the cattle to higher pasture - as we passed by.
Another picture taken from a parlor car window - another scenic shot along a 65 mile journey full of scenic shots.
Nope, not another picture of cattle - these are yaks - raised for their nutrient-rich meat by the Chama Valley Meat Co.
The train pulled by locomotive 488, which started its day in Antonito ends its day in Chama NM - just in time for a BBQ dinner.