GOLDEN SPIKE TRIPLE HEADER COLORADO RALLY – PART 1

Our rally began on Sept. 26 with members gathering at the Alamosa KOA all primed to ride three tourist railroads in a week. Attending were Kurt and Betty Simon, Bob Tucker, Don and Betty Pico, Dan and Betsy St. John, Loretta Hernandez and Cynthia Wallace, and Bill and Jo Strong. Our first railroad, on Sept. 27, was the narrow gauge steam powered Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad from Antonito CO to Chama NM with bus back to Antonito. The tracks to Chama were completed in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande RR. and cross the CO – NM state line 11 times.

The C&TS reservationist was thoughtful of our group by seating all of us on the preferred left side of the train as it left Antonito.

The  first part of the journey was across sagebrush flats gradually rising to the first ridge.

On top of that ridge is the lonely Lava Tank, no longer used and gradually decaying.

 

We were seated in the third car from the locomotive. There was a popular open observation car near the back from which classic shots of the train negotiating a curve could be taken. I have edited out of this blog most of the rest of  this kind of picture.

We are approaching Whiplash Curve where tracks wind around like a serpent to gain elevation to top out on the ridge at the upper right. Here  we are on the  lowest level, and the next level is in the cut on the hillside .

 

 

This view from the top of the ridge shows the transition curve from from the lowest level to the middle level .

After gaining more elevation and getting into the tall pine area, we approach the section buildings at Sublette (far center of picture).

These buildings were restored by The Friends Of the Cumbres & Toltec, a very active group essential to maintaining the historical portions of the line. Beside the many buildings, they also restore cars not used in the operation of the railroad.

 

This is the downstream end of the Toltec Gorge formed by the Rio de Los Pinos. The tracks wind around the north edge of this valley for many of the 64 miles of the run to Chama.

Entering Osier for lunch, we were surprised to see a Galloping Goose from the Rio Grande Southern. Geese  historically did not run on these tracks.

The yellow building at Osier was built to feed lunch to the riders. Osier originally was a construction camp.

Here we are completing the Tanglefoot Curve, having just come up the tracks on the right. Our next stop was at the section house at Cumbres Pass to take on water.

Here we are coming down from Cumbres Pass and around Windy Point on the 4% grade. Bob Tucker is at the right

We just came around Windy Point at the right of the outcrop on our way down hill to the Lobato Trestle and Chama.

From the left, Don Pico and the docent  volunteer with the Friends group. His comments were enlightening to all on the open car. Earlier in the day this car was much more crowded.

 

Kurt and Don relaxing as we approached Chama.