Cumbres and Toltec begins their season this weekend

Question, I am a bit confused as to the various narrow gauge railroads in that mountainous part of the country. What are the current operating narrow gauge railroads in the Rockies today?

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Question, I am a bit confused as to the various narrow gauge railroads in that mountainous part of the country. What are the current operating narrow gauge railroads in the Rockies today?

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic RR ( www.cumbrestoltec.com ), over Cumbres Pass, and the Durango & Silverton, obviously out of Durango, CO ( www.durangotrain.com ).

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Question, I am a bit confused as to the various narrow gauge railroads in that mountainous part of the country. What are the current operating narrow gauge railroads in the Rockies today?

Besides the two prime sections of the D&RGW mentioned by Hotwater there are two small narrow gauge portions of the Colorado & Southern Railway, the Georgetown Loop and another steam locomotive and a really short (but growing) segment of track in Como Colorado

  You forgot the big circle of track at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

I highly recommend the Cumbres & Toltec excursion, it has it all, tall timber trestles over gorgeous rivers, beautiful green pastures loaded with wildlife, tunnels and beautiful wooded areas.

Chris Sheldon

PeterA posted:

Ah, all is right in the world as the Cumberes and Toltec is running for the 2018 season and I can enjoy preparations on their great webcam site.  And even better, the south camera is now fixed and one can view activity at the enginehouse.

When will they close for the winter?

They operate thru October 21st, according to the website.

My favorite part of the world, too, including Silverton and Otto Mears' roads.  I only rode the east half of the Cumbres, so think l missed the best part, but it was a beautiful aspen fall day.  It and the Silverton explain why there are us "Colorado railroad" fanatics.

To those not from the area:  If you have to choose only one Colorado tourist train, I suggest you choose Cumbres & Toltec.  It is the most authentic of all of them, they don't get upset if you wander around the facilities, and they have 3% grades that make the engines really work hard going upgrade (plus, they use retainers when descending the same grades).  It's easier to get to on the Colorado end, from Interstate 25 (a bit of a drive off the Interstate, but good roads) and the New Mexico end is accessed by good but curvy highways either from Las Vegas (on Interstate 25) or from Santa Fe.  Genuine, New Mexico high altitude ranch country, with loads of western history.

I've ridden them all and liked everyone of them.

Some nice pictures and  a little song about the Silverton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a_19VDqQgo

Good way to start the day with a smile.

Actually, I think the C&T has 4+ percent on the Chama to Cumbres section.

And yes, the C&T, D&S, et al, along with the multitude of fantastic mountain ranges in Colorado is why there are so many Colorado RR fanatics, including me!

Andre

CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:

  You forgot the big circle of track at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

Oops. Yup. 2 active steamers, 3 active Geese running on an endless loop of track. Good chance I’ll be volunteering there someday soon. 

This may be of interest to some here: https://www.colorado.com/artic...colorado-train-trips

Tranz4mr posted:

CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:

  You forgot the big circle of track at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

Oops. Yup. 2 active steamers, 3 active Geese running on an endless loop of track. Good chance I’ll be volunteering there someday soon. 

   With over 11 years being on the board you would be an ideal candidate to play Sir Topham Hatt when Thomas comes to town !

Ah, TRAIN season.  I was wondering if it was duck or wabbit season.

CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:

Tranz4mr posted:

CHOO-CHOO MIKE posted:

  You forgot the big circle of track at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

Oops. Yup. 2 active steamers, 3 active Geese running on an endless loop of track. Good chance I’ll be volunteering there someday soon. 

   With over 11 years being on the board you would be an ideal candidate to play Sir Topham Hatt when Thomas comes to town !

No need to worry Mike! You can keep your High Hatt job. Enjoy!

Assume the Cumbres opening is not affected by the current Durango north forest fire?

colorado hirailer posted:

Assume the Cumbres opening is not affected by the current Durango north forest fire?

Not affected at the moment.  All trains were operating today.  The fire is a good 2-3hrs away by car.  Durango & Silverton is very much affected though.

  Durango & Silverton operation suspended till June 10 due to fires.

prrhorseshoecurve,

Like the others who responded here, once you visit the Cumbres and Toltec and/or the Durango and Silverton, you will be hooked.  The history, the scenery, the engines; the whole experience is just great!  One does not have to be railfan to enjoy the excursions. 

These two railroads were part of the same railroad and operate on different segments of the same right of way. Their story, why these narrow gauge lines  existed, is a important lesson in American history .

There is a nice low key atmosphere on the Cumbres and Toltec and decent meal on the trip. The docents in open car (gondola style )keep you informed without talking your ear off and are very knowledgeable.

Don't hesitate.  Go west young man!

Earl