USA Steam Lineside! Following the Fantastic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. 17 & 18 October 24

Railfanning the Fantastic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
USA Steam Lineside at its best!
17 & 18 October 24

I had set aside 17th October to railfan the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad along Highway 17 from Chama, over the Cumbres Pass and down to Los Pinos where the railroad and highway diverge. These were among the last days of the 2024 season.

The 17th was wet and windy and cold - with sleet at the summit.

We first follow the day's Eastbound train behind oil burner K36 number 388 from around Lobato and at various points including the view up to Windy Point, close to Cumbres Pass summit, over the top and several points past Los Pinos tank and around the curve for the train to head south towards Toltec gorge and Osier.

After a short wait looking around Cumbres depot we went back to Los Pinos to follow the westbound train behind coal burner number 389 as it stopped for water before climbing up to Cumbres Pass. We then follow it down the steep grades to Chama. We see the empty train head to the wye to turn and roll back into the depot in torrential rain,

The 18th was out day to head to our next BnB in Colorado Springs, but by careful timing we saw the Eastbound train at Cumbres Pass and followed it to Los Pinos and beyond.

Some fantastic rail faning with the most spectacular sound as the K36s climbed to Cumbres Pass. At one point the most spectacular smoke effect!

In my opinion this is one of the best rides in the USA if not the world. It really is special and a credit to the States of Colorado and New Mexico for saving this section of railroad.

The times shown on clips are for guidance only and shouldn't be taken as definitive.

Any observations are my own and not intended to show any authority and may show my misunderstanding.

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