Enjoy
a great day on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in 2021. This
was once part of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Narrow Gauge, and
our locomotive is a former Rio Grande K-36 number 487. We begin at
Chama, and are riding in the platform of the first coach right behind
the engine. The audio is clear as we see the engine and scenery as the
line climbs on a 4% grade for some 12 miles to the 10,015 foot Cumbres
Pass.
As an added bonus we
have 3 locations from the ground and have intertwined them with the
onboard camera at those locations. This allows us to see our train from
the ground as well as onboard.
The second segment
is shorter as we sample some riding from the open gondola as we travel
down the east slope of the grade toward Osier. Highlights are Tanglefoot
curve near Cumbres, The Los Pinos water tank, the Los Pinos Valley,
Cascade Trestle, and arriving in Osier. At Osier we see the train from
Antonito arrive with K-36 number 489 as the power.
From Osier back to
Cumbres we board the cab of 487 for a great cab ride on the westbound
grade. We enjoy the engineer working the throttle, brakes, and whistle
cord, as well as the fireman shoveling coal into the firebox, and his
other duties including the water stop at Los Pinos. Besides inside the
cab views there are many views looking ahead out the front and side
windows. We see Cascade Creek Trestle, the Los Pinos River and valley,
Los Pinos Tank, Apache Canyon, Tanglefoot curve, and arrival in Cumbres.
This is an unusual show that puts 487 in a starring role for a great
day of steamy action. You will enjoy the staccato beat of the locomotive
climbing both sides of Cumbres pass plus some outstanding scenery along
the way. Location titles are presented on the screen, but narration is
limited so you enjoy the steam sounds.
Live audio and limited narration.
