A brief 1/2 mile bike ride to the train station for a 10 o'clock "on time" departure. I could hear "Locomotive 488" getting ready since 8 this morning from my campsite. Hope she was having a good breakfast!!!
I have always admired people with "passion". Railroad enthusiasts are truly "uber" passionate people. They surveyed and photographed every aspect of todays adventure! Good for them; they were having a great time!! The station in Chama has been nicely restored from the original arrival of the railroad to town on December 31, 1880. The rail yard had coal bins, water tower, snowplow engines and a slew of random cars (passenger, cattle and coal).
I did notice those "bib over-alls" I could not find in Oklahoma sure would have come in handy today!!!!
Boarding at 930 promptly. I was in the "Parlor Car" at the very end of the train and somehow my seat was right next to the bar as it was on the Grand Canyon Railway Train. My reputation precedes me! Inquiring about "Bloody Mary" availability I was informed liquor could not be served until we crossed into Colorado. That was about 10 miles up the route, no problemo!!!
Boarding at 930 promptly. I was in the "Parlor Car" at the very end of the train and somehow my seat was right next to the bar as it was on the Grand Canyon Railway Train. My reputation precedes me! Inquiring about "Bloody Mary" availability I was informed liquor could not be served until we crossed into Colorado. That was about 10 miles up the route, no problemo!!!
"All aboard" and we were off for an on-time 10 o'clock departure!! Train whistles blowing, steam shooting out in every direction and black smoke encircling the crowd on the station platform waving us off!! It doesn't get any more authentic than this!! But wait, along nearly the entire 64 mile route we were photographed, waved and marveled at, we felt like celebrities!!!!
I settled in, next to my new found friend, Kaayla for an exhilarating trip to Antonito, Colorado.
I settled in, next to my new found friend, Kaayla for an exhilarating trip to Antonito, Colorado.
A little "self indulging" selfie stick time!!
The railroad when constructed in 1880 tapped into the mining districts of Southwest Colorado and headed West out of Antonito, CO. Crews surveyed, graded roadbed and laid track through spectacular Toltec Gorge, over 10,015 foot Cumbres Pass and down the 4% grade into Chama, NM. The railway chose a narrow gauge, 36 inch width track so that the railroad could make tighter turns in the mountains and thereby reduce construction costs. The railway had many years of "boom and bust", fluctuating on silver markets primarily, but never really recovered from the "Great Depression". The narrow gauge line was scrapped from the Rocky Mountains in 1950. A brief boom brought the rail back when oil and gas was discovered in the "four corners" region but by 1967 the Rio Grande Railroad was ready to abandon the line. In the 1970's the two states took over administration of the line and due to the huge efforts of numerous volunteer organizations were able to continue the passenger service today.
First stop would be the station at Osier for lunch. We met up with a Chama-bound train and all passengers and a nice break and lunch. My feast was a very tasty turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Back onboard for the final leg into Antonito, CO. We would pass through two tunnels and miles of beautiful countryside with Elk herds along the way.
Video through Tunnel #2
Terrifying Tunnel #1 Video!
"Blowing off" a Little Steam!
We safely arrive in Antonito, CO after our 6 hour journey. My throat is raw and I think I have developed a case of "Black Lung" after inhaling that glorious black smoke from the engine. Whine, whine, whine! It was a great day and now a bus trip back to Chama, NM and a reunion with dear Shona who has patiently been waiting. Her greeting is with the same enthusiasm as if I were gone two minutes. Gotta love that girl!! Tomorrow will be a day of rest and an opportunity to phone Father Art, my two fathers and other family.
Tuesday we will be on the road to Taos, NM for some culture, history and artistry.
Tuesday we will be on the road to Taos, NM for some culture, history and artistry.