A RIDE ON THE CUMBRES AND TOLTEC SCENIC RAILWAY

EXPERIENCING THE AUTHENIC WEST

September 22

Climb aboard to experience 64 miles of WOW that was on our bucket list. The Cumbres and Toltec Railway is a narrow gauge steam powered train and is a must do for train buffs. This railroad

is special being that it was built in 1880. The track was laid in nine months, which is almost unbelievable having ridden it. The train stopped three times for water, as this was a steam engine.  It is arguably the longest, highest and most scenic railroad journey on the continent. 

Spending a whole day traveling over 60 miles of high, twisty narrow gauge rail over high trestles, scenic mountain passes and other attractions was a marvelous last hurrah for us in Colorado. It is especially attractive in late September as the aspens have changed color for fall at the higher altitude. The train travels 64 miles through the mountains between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. At an altitudes  to 10,000ft we rode from Chama to Antonito which required the steam engine to really have to work to get up the mountain pass. The trip took seven hours and a bus returned passengers back to our starting point.

We have taken several scenic train rides before and this is one of the prettiest by far seeing the Toltec Gorge. You will see things you can't see anywhere else and get an idea of just how grand Colorado/ New Mexico is. The story of how the train was saved from being demolished and the commitment of the Friends of the Railroad are wonderful. If you like great scenery and history, you would love this train trip as we did which began in Chama and traveled through the mountains, over a pass, alongside cattle grazing in meadows and ended in the high desert of Antonito.  The steam engine was a marvel and still works amazingly well. The beauty of the mountains happens to be unparalleled especially as the Aspens are turning their golden color here in the fall. The scenic railway runs both directions year round daily and is equally as beautiful in the winter snow season we could just imagine.

We spent most of our time in the open air gondola, for maximum photo ops and viewing, This train takes passengers back in time seeing real cowboys on horseback herding cattle as well as past huge rock spires and along the sides of rock mountain cliffs. Hearing the different toots of the whistle, the wheels on the tracks and the bursts from the steam engine was like living in the past. Seeing the mountains, gorges, and rivers was as if we were on a train trip in 1890. 

It was a day well spent and a wonderful culmination ending our travels through Colorado. The experience of riding on a steam train is something everyone should do once or whenever the opportunity avails itself.