Capture the Spirit of the West on Scenic RailroadEdited by Dave Shultz
Hidden away in a little known corner of the southern Rocky Mountains, the C&TS is a precious historic artifact of the American West that time forgot, charging up steep grades, and carrying visitors over high trestles and through tunnels in a vast and spectacular landscape.
The Friends of the C&TS is recognized as the leader in the railroad historic preservation field. The 2,200-member Friends of the C&TS is the official museum support group for the C&TS, managing the museum and restoration functions of the railroad. The Friends come from all 50 states and ten overseas countries. In particular, the Friends assume the responsibility of preserving all of the railroad’s historic assets that are not used in the regular tourist train operation, and interpreting the railroad to the public. They provide docents on every train, and provide valuable educational and historical information about the train, the area and the history of the railroad. This year, there is a new educational guide about the railroad (hand signals, whistle signals, terminology and history). Also, structures continue to be restored, and historic rolling stock is available for viewing in the yards. Currently, to support their efforts, the Friends are initiating a campaign, Another Century of Narrow Gauge Steam to raise valuable dollars to support this unique piece of history. Interested parties can log on to www.cumbrestoltec.org to learn more about how they can support the railroad.
C&TS FACTS AT A GLANCE
For schedules, fares, departure times and locations from CO or NM including the Cinder Express call: 1-888-Cumbres (1-888-286-2737) or Visit the website www.cumbrestoltec.com “One of the best 20 railway experiences
“Outstanding Attraction” of New Mexico
National Civil Engineering Landmark
National Historic Site
“The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad For NM Tourism www.newmexico.com For CO Tourism www.colorado.com Photos Courtesy of Cumbres and Toltec Scenic (C&TS) Railroad |
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Connecting railroad enthusiasts,
admirers of the old West and vacationers looking for a unique experience, guests
on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic (C&TS) Railroad discover the adventure of a
1880s narrow gauge steam train. The C&TS operating season for 2007 will kick
off Memorial Day weekend, and will continue through mid-October when brilliant
fall colors beckon hundreds of visitors. This year promises to be filled with
more exciting and enlightening features such as, interpretive signs, a fleet of
four operational locomotives, and special charters and photo freights, which
provide opportunities to ride and photograph trains as they looked during the
1930s, 1940s, 1950s.
The 64-mile rail line, originally
built in 1880, snakes its way between the western and eastern terminus of the
railroad - Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado - crossing the border eleven
times on its journey.
This train ride and its incredible landscape remain an open
invitation for families, adventure seekers, RV folks, history and geology buffs,
volunteers seeking opportunities to help preserve the railroad, and of course,
rail fans. In addition to the historic train ride through untouched landscape,
the area summons the visitor. Whether you seek a jaw dropping drive through the
mountains, prefer a shopping spree in a quaint little town, wish to stand close
enough to a steam engine to give you goose bumps, step back in time to the days
of steam railroading or the American West, watch elk, deer and other wildlife in
the mountains or wilderness preserve, spend the night camping or star gazing,
hike Cumbres Pass, try some stream fishing, or bring your bike and ride up or
down the mountain - magically - there is something for everyone.