Inaugural Run of the Newly Rebuilt 1903 Baldwin K27 "Mudhen" #463

RioGrandeExplorations.net

2013 Opening Day

Tending To The 463

Locomotive 463 (2.013.3.14)

Restoration of Antonito train depot delayed

Currently, the railroad has not allowed the town access to the easement on the east side of the building near their train tracks. However, Jose Gurule and Jay Warner, town trustees, plan to set up an appointment with Matt Abbey, general manager of the railroad to try and resolve the issue as soon as possible. The town had their attorney draft a letter to the railroad explaining the issue and Abbey sent a reply letter indicating that the railroad might be receptive to the idea, but requested a letter directly from the town. Abbey was not available for comment. The town would like to have, at least, temporary, access to the eastern easement so that they can have enough room to perform the restoration work on the building in the spring. Should this future meeting with Abbey prove fruitful the project can proceed as planned. However, if the railroad still refuses to grant access to the easement the town may need to find other options, and sources of funding to continue with the restoration project.

http://www.conejoscountycitizen.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=956&page=72

Fiesta Time!! (Cumbres Pavilion)

Cumbres Fiesta Train

Hickenlooper In The Hood

Pre-Opening Day 2012

489 All Spiffed Up

489 Chillin' In Lil' Tony

2012 Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Brochure

2012 Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Brochure

The northern terminus of the train is the small Colorado town of Antonito, a short pumpkin toss from the New Mexico border. It's a small town that was a company town of the former railroad main line. It's home to the company's car shop, a water tank, station and gift shop. Chama, N.M., is the southern terminus and houses one of the most complete railroad yards, dating to the heyday of the steam railroads in America. The yard itself is very popular with railroad aficionados.

Railroad still steamin'

Ride on rare line one for memory

There's A New Train In Town

Antonito, Colorado 1914 Map

Conejos County Sesquicentennial Train Ride (Los Mogotes)

D&SNG to run Cumbres & Toltec

American Heritage Railways, which owns the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, has reached an agreement to manage the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which runs between Chama, N.M., and Antonito. “We’re really excited about it,” said Al Harper, CEO of American Heritage Railways. “It’s all about the preservation of history.” An oral agreement was reached Tuesday between Harper and the chairman of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission, which operated the railroad for the states of Colorado and New Mexico, which jointly own the railroad. The agreement tentatively calls for American Heritage Railways to operate the line for five years, Harper said. He declined to disclose financial terms of the agreement until they are finalized in writing. American Heritage Railways tentatively is scheduled to take over operations Jan. 1. The Denver & Rio Grande built the railroad in 1880, and it was linked to Durango in 1881. Most of the track was dismantled about 1969, but a scenic portion of the line was saved and purchased in 1970 by Colorado and New Mexico for historic preservation. “The thing that’s most significant to me is the history behind it,” Harper said. The 64-mile line between Chama and Antonito travels over the 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass. It averages about 40,000 passengers per year, although numbers have been down the last two years because of a fire last year and the down economy, said Nick Quintana, spokesman for the railroad. “But things are looking good,” he said. “The tracks are in really good shape. “Mr. Harper has a pretty clean operation out there, and we’re excited to be a part of the American Heritage Railways family.” The Cumbres & Toltec is a narrow-gauge railroad, which means the steam engines and boxcars are transferable with the Durango & Silverton railroad. “It’s the exact equipment – all sister equipment – to what we have here,” Harper said. “We may exchange some equipment, and we may send some of our equipment over there to have special events.” Harper said he plans to create special events for the Cumbres & Toltec, similar to ones he puts on for the Durango & Silverton railroad. “We really believe we can do some great things for the Cumbres-Toltec,” he said. “It’s already a great railroad, and we’re just going to open it up to give more people an opportunity to enjoy what it has to offer.”

http://durangoherald.com/article/20111013/NEWS01/710139933/-1/s

Four Eight Niner Leaving Lil' Tony

Pride of Philly

Cumbres Toltec 488 Steam Engine Leaving Antonito

Welcome To Antonito Steam