August 27, 2021 and the final weekend of the Cumbres & Toltec Victorian Iron Horse Roundup begins with D&RG 168 and 425 heading to Chama from Antonito, followed by the Eureka and the Glenbrook. We first catch sight of them at Los Pinos where they stop for a photo run-by at the trestle. Later, we catch them at Cumbres Pass where 168 is set out and the woodburners take on more wood and water. It was getting dark so we headed back to Chama, eager for the next morning’s activities.
We caught 487 leading the regular train out of Chama, this time with two boxcars, and a gondola car loaded with wood that would be set out at Lobato. Scheduled to depart for Cumbres Pass after 487, the woodburners hooked onto the Historic Consist and eventually left Chama around 11 am.
We caught them at the first crossing and then past Dalton. We had hoped to follow the train up to Cumbres but a prolonged delay at Cresco soon revealed mechanical problems on Eureka.
We headed back to Chama for something to eat, catching 425 which was being dispatched to rescue the old wood burners.
After great pizza and salad at Chama Local, which is highly recommended, we set out again for Cumbres Pass. At the S turns, we met up with Roger Hogan who had a radio and filled us in on the details. 425 had hooked onto the last passenger car on the consist and would be backing down to Dalton where a water truck was waiting for the wood burners. The effort to reach Cumbres Pass wasn’t successful, but it was amazing to see the three locomotives inch their way down the grade. Once again, it was getting dark and we headed back to Chama.
With events like this that gather large crowds, it’s difficult to conceal them from the view of the trains, so I included them. There are other opportunities to shoot an unobstructed view of these relics such as photo charters, but for events like this 50th anniversary celebration of the C&TSR, the rail fans are as much a part of the festivities as the old steam locomotives are.
Congratulations go to the Cumbres & Toltec and the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec for putting on an event that will probably never happen again. We also met some great people this weekend such as Jim Wrinn of Trains Magazine and his wife Kate, Abi from Cumbres & Toltec marketing, Alex Gillman from the 3751 crew, and Ryan and his father from the Carson and Colorado Railroad that restored SP 18, which is now running on the Durango & Silverton. Of course we saw old friends trackside such as Graham, Chris, Matt, Roger, and Steve. We chatted with others whose names I didn’t get but included members of the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec and rail fans from across the country.
Please consider contributing to the efforts of steam locomotive restoration projects in your area and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
3 окт 2024
