G.E. Nordell's CO & NM Railroads Pages
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
[ built 1880; saved 1970 ]
![stock photo of Cumbres & Toltec train behind D&RGW locomotive #487 [built 1925] under full steam](images/Cumbres&Toltec-fullsteam.jpg "stock photo of Cumbres & Toltec train behind D&RGW locomotive #487 [built 1925] under full steam")
The narrow-gauge Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad was built in 1880 and saved in 1970 for preservation as a tourist railroad
by the states of Colorado and New Mexico. The 64-mile route is the longest stretch of operating narrow-gauge trackage
in America, and the winding route crosses the Colorado-New Mexico border 11 times.
The narrow-gauge Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway was constructed in 1880, thru Antonito, Colorado and over Cumbres Pass to Chama, New Mexico – and beyond. Passenger service ended in 1951; the discovery of oil and gas in northwest New Mexico revived the railroad's freight business in the early 1950s. The line was about to be scrapped in 1970 when the State of Colorado and the State of New Mexico agreed to purchase the line for preservation as a tourist attraction;
the purchase price was $541,120; the property was incorporated in 1974.
The 64-mile route is the longest stretch of operating narrow-gauge trackage in America, and Cumbres Pass at 10,022 feet elevation is the highest steam railroad trackage in America.
Much of the rolling stock equipment is well over a hundred years old and requires constant maintenance. The winters are severe – the entire railroad is above 7,800 feet elevation – and the operating season runs only from late May to mid-October. Both nature and man impact operations on the C&TSRR directly, such as the Hangman's Trestle fire in 1988, the fire-danger shutdown in 2002, and the Lobato Trestle fire in 2010 (repaired June 2011).
The railroad's 51st season began 29 May 2021 and continued to October 24; observance of COVID-19 rules of both Colorado & New Mexico limited the season schedule. Newly-restored D&RGW locomotive #168 and four passenger cars ran as the San Juan & New Mexico Express from Chama to Osier for lunch and then back on five Sundays; the daily Chama All-Aboard! excursion likewise runs from Chama to Osier & back; the daily Antonito All-Aboard! excursion runs from Antonito to Osier & back. Three shorter excursions are: the Cumbres Express ran from Cumbres Pass to Osier Station for lunch & then back; the Antonito Express ran from Antonito to Big Horn Wye and back (no lunch); and the Chama High Noon excursion ran on Fridays to Cumbres Pass and back (no lunch). NOTE: masks must be worn by train passengers.
2022: The opening of the railroad's 52nd season was delayed to July First because of on-going wildfire dangers in Northern New Mexico.
official C&TSRR website
C&TSRR entry at Wikipedia
official C&TSRR photos website
C&TSRR's General Manager Steven Butler (hired 10/2023)
Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad [est. 1981, incorp. 1988]
C&TS Railroad Commission [est. 1974]
Billy Elbrock, NM Commissioner (2022) and Chama Village trustee (2022)
Scott Gibbs, CO Commissioner (apptd 7/2021) and interim president (2022)
Mark Graybill, CO Commissioner (2022) + operates the Georgetown Loop RR [built 1881-84] since 2009
William J. Lock, NM Commissioner (apptd 11/2018) + founded Friends of the C&TSRR [est. 1981]
C&TSRR Route and Stations
![Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad [built 1880; incorp. 1974]](images/Cumbres&Toltec_banner.gif)
While both freight and passengers traveled in both directions on the D&RGW, most freight deliveries were westbound, and the eastbound freight traffic was lumber, refined ore, and oil from the 1950s boom in Farmington. The current tourist operation sends one train each way in the morning, meeting at the lunchstop at mid-point Osier, where the crews turn each locomotive around on a turning loop. After lunch, the passengers either return whence they started or get on the other train and continue their journey.
(Further options include overnight stays and return buses.)
The official stations or water stops are (moving westward): repair shops & depot at Antonito, Colorado [MP281, elev. 7890]; Hangman's Trestle [MP286];
Lava Tank [MP291.5]; Whiplash Curve [MP296]; Big Horn Wye [MP299.5, elev. 8800]; Sublette, New Mexico [MP306, elev. 9281]; Mud Tunnel [MP311.5];
Phantom Curve [MP312.5]; Rock Tunnel [MP315]; Toltec Gorge (600 feet above the river); and lunch stop Osier, Colorado [MP318.4, elev. 9637]; then 137-foot tall
Cascade Creek Trestle [MP320]; Los Pinos Tank [MP325.5]; Tanglefoot Curve; Cumbres Pass [MP330.6, elev. 10,015]; Windy Point [MP331]; Coxo; 1893 Cresco
Tanks [MP335], 100-foot tall 1883 Lobato Trestle [MP340]; The Narrows [MP340.5-342]; and the yards & depot at Chama, New Mexico [MP345, elev. 7871].
There was also a Chama Lumber Extension that went 15 miles south to Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico.
Town of Antonito, Colorado [elev. 7890; est. 1880; pop. 800]
Eastern terminus of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR, with station, gift shop, equipment repair shops, and lots of parked rolling stock;
the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad [2006-2019] operates steam tourist trains from Alamosa to Antonito on Summer weekends.
Travel & Business Links
entry at Wikipedia
Narrow Gauge Railroad Inn & RV Park [est. 1973] in Antonito, Colorado
Steam Train Hotel [built 1911], 402 Main Street in Antonito, Colorado
Osier, Colorado [elev. 9637]
Osier Dining Hall damaged from kitchen fire during 2021, set to re-open 6/2022.
Toltec Gorge Catering, Inc. operates the lunchroom buffet at Osier
Osier, Colorado entry at Wikipedia
Cumbres Pass, Colorado [elev. 10,022 ft (3,055m]
locomotive and tender #488 was moved to Cumbres Pass in August 2010, along with 1 gondola car, 5 coaches (#16), and caboose #05365
C&TSRR Locomotive Roster
see also D&RGW Railroad Page / Rosters Section
year whyte name/number history disposition/status 1883 ng T-12 4-6-0 #168 D&RG to 1924, D&RGW 1924 to 1933 retirement; donated to Colorado Springs in 1938; on stationary display in Antlers Park 1938-2015 
; moved to C&TSRR Antonito Yards for restoration in 2018; restored June 2021
placed in weekly service in June 2021 1903 ng K-27 2-8-2 Mikado #463 D&RG 1909-24, D&RGW 1924-1955, Gene Autry 1955-94, to C&TS in 1994; restored at Chama 2009-2016; returned to service May 2016 operating daily (in season) 1925 ng K-36 2-8-2 Mikado #483 D&RGW 1925-1970, C&TS 1970-today on display at Chama 1925 ng K-36 2-8-2 Mikado #484 D&RGW 1925-1970, C&TS 1970-today operating daily (in season) 1925 ng K-36 2-8-2 Mikado #487 D&RGW 1925-1970, C&TS 1970-today operating daily (in season) 1925 ng K-36 2-8-2 Mikado #488 D&RGW 1925-1970, C&TS 1970-today on static display at Cumbres Pass (2010) 1925 ng K-36 2-8-2 Mikado #489 D&RGW 1925-1962, C&TS 1970-today {rebuilt 2008} operating daily (in season) 1902/1928 ng K-37 2-8-2 Mikado #492 D&RG 1902-24, D&RGW 1924-70, C&TS 1970-present in storage at Chama 1902/1928 ng K-37 2-8-2 Mikado #493 D&RG 1902-24, D&RGW 1924-70, D&SNG 1981-present on display at Silverton 1902/1928 ng K-37 2-8-2 Mikado #494 D&RG 1902-24, D&RGW 1924-62, C&TS 1970-present in storage at Antonito 1902/1928 ng K-37 2-8-2 Mikado #495 D&RG 1902-24, D&RGW 1924-62, C&TS 1970-present in storage at Antonito 1902/1930 ng K-37 2-8-2 Mikado #497 D&RG 1902-24, D&RGW 1924-81, D&SNG 1981-91, C&TS 1991-present in storage at Chama
Other Equipment
C&TSRR operates orange-painted MOW speeders #012, #013, #101, #102, #103, #104, #105, #106, #107 
and fire suppression cars #208T & #209T
orange-painted MOW inspection/crew motor car #108 - restored 1996-2001, crashed 2003 
black-painted Rogers 5-ton gas-powered C&TSRR 4-wheel yard engine 'Critter' 
black-painted G.E. 47-ton center-cab switcher #19 - acquired from Hawai'i in 1972; out of service circa 2000, in use 2010 
light gray-painted 1891 ex-D&RG MOW pile driver #OB, paired with flatcar #06008 
restored at W.M.M.I. shops in Colorado Springs, 1999-2006?
light gray-painted 1885 ex-D&RG MOW flanger car #OJ - not in service
red-painted 1885 ex-D&RG MOW flanger car #OK - restoration halted in 2002
light gray-painted 1885 ex-D&RG MOW flanger car #OL - in service from Chama
red-painted 1889 Cooke-built D&RGW MOW rotary snow plow #OM & tender; stationed at Chama; 
last service 1976; cosmetic restoration 2002; steps allow viewing of interior
light gray-painted 1911 D&RG-built derrick car MOW #OP is in service 
paired with boom tender flatcar #06063, flatcar #06051 & boxcar 04549
light gray-painted 1924 ex-D&RG Jordan Spreader MOW #OU - last service 2002
light gray-painted 1889 Cooke-built D&RGW MOW rotary snow plow #OY & tender; 
in service; steps in warm weather allow viewing of interior
Reading Material
 | "Farewell To Cumbres: A Short History of Steam Trains Over Cumbres" [1967] by Gordon S. Chappell Colorado Railroad Historical Foundation pb [1967] out of print/used Colorado Railroad Museum pb reprint [1975] out of print/used |
 | "Narrow Gauge To Cumbres: A Pictorial History of The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad" [1972] by Doris B. Osterwald
Western Guideways pb [1972] out of print/scarce |
 | "Scenic Trips To The Geologic Past, No. 11: Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad" [1972] by H.L. James New Mexico State Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources pb [1974] out of print/scarce |
 | "Ticket To Toltec: A Mile By Mile Guide For The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad" [1976] by Doris B. Osterwald
Western Guideways 10¾x8¼ pb [6/92] out of print/used Western Guideways pb [12/76] out of print/used |
 | "The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: The Historic Preservation Study" [1980] by Spencer Wilson & Vernon J. Glover Univ New Mexico Press pb [6/84] out of print/many used Univ New Mexico Press pb [1980] out of print/used |
 | "Riding The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: Historical Text, Pictures & Maps" [1992] by Spencer Crump Zeta Publrs pb [1992] out of print/used |
 | "The Story of The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad: The Toltec Gorge Route" [1995] by Antoinette Gibbons R.A.B. Enterprises pb [1995] out of print/used |
 |
"Rotary Snowplows On The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad" [1998] by Joseph P. Hereford Univ New Mexico Press pb [7/98] out of print/used |
 | "The Thunder of Their Passing: A Tribute To The Denver & Rio Grande's Narrow Gauge and The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad" [2003] by Robert D. Turner with nearly 500 outstanding color and black & white photographs, illustrations, and reproductions Sono Nis Press 9x11 pb [2/2011] for $44.95 Sono Nis Press 9¼x11 hardcover [6/2003] for $54.95 |
 | "The Little Train That Would Not Die: The Stories of The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and Engine 463" [2005] by Antoinette 'Toni' Gibbons
CreateSpace 9¾x6¾ pb [8/2010] for $12.99 AuthorHouse 8¾x6 pb [9/2005] for $15.50 AuthorHouse 9x6¼ hardcover [9/2005] for $27.95 |
 | "Cumbres & Toltec: A Photographic Tribute To America's Most Spectacular Scenic Railway" [2007] by Sam Furukawa - featuring 237 dramatic photos
N.G.P.F. 9x12 hardcover [1/2007] rare copies on Amazon available directly from publisher/printer for $54.45 published by Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation [est. 2000] |
 | "Saving The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad" [2012] by Spencer Wilson & Wes Pfarner The History Press pb [6/2012] for $16.99 |
 | "Hollywood's Railroads, Volume Three: Narrow Gauge Country" [2015] by Larry Jensen Author covers the railroads that run through some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States and have been used in more than 60 films made between 1935 and 2014; the railroads in southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico covered here are: Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW), Rio Grande Southern (RGS), Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge (D&S), and Cumbres & Toltec Scenic; book includes a list of films and 130 photographs with 22 in color. Cochetopa Press 11x8½ pb [2015] out of print/used |
 | "Trains Magazine Extra: Steam Over Cumbres" [2020]
100-page special issue from Trains Magazine highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad available from publisher [2020] in print or digital format for $8.95 |
Films & TV, Other Media
 | "Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Freight Train" video [1990] A two-day special 'San Juan Express' excursion was set up in September 1990 for railfan photographers on the Cumbres & Toltec, with coal-fired Baldwin-built 2-8-2 Mikado locomotive #488 at the head, and frequent stops for full-steam run-bys Pentrex 1-hour color DVD [2007] out of prodn/used |
 | "Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Passenger Train" video [1991] includes cab-ride and full-steam run-by footage Pentrex 75-minute color DVD [2008] for $28.75 |
 | "America's Steam Trains: The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad" video [1999] "Ride One of America's Most Beautiful & Historic Railroads" 60-minute video directed by Les Jarrett covering all 64 route miles in Summer, Fall & Winter; DVD also has 25 minutes of bonus footage 85-minute Railway Prodns color DVD [3/2003] for $24.95 60-minute Railway Prodns color VHS [10/99] - OVERPRICED! |
 | "Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad: Like You've Never Seen Before!" video [2003] two hours of color footage from the 1990s Shiloh Sales color DVD [4/2003] out of prodn/SOLD OUT! |
 | "K-36 Over Cumbres Pass" [2007]
110-minute Highball Prodns widescreen color DVD [2007] for $29.95 |
 | "Rolling Thunder Over Cumbres Pass" [2008] by Ken J. Johnson
Trak Works audio CD [5/2008] 28 tracks for $17.65 |
Image Gallery
![double-header steam with D&RGW/C&TSRR locomotives #484 & #487 [both K-36 class, built in 1925], circa 2009](images/C&TSRR-locos484-487.gif "double-header steam with D&RGW/C&TSRR locomotives #484 & #487 [both K-36 class, built in 1925], circa 2009")
 click to enlarge ![D&RGW loco 487 [built 1925] in the yards at Chama, NM (October 2007)](images/2007chama_loco487-TH.jpg "D&RGW loco 487 [built 1925] in the yards at Chama, NM (October 2007)") click to enlarge |
![D&RGW loco 487 [built 1925] and the engine driver at Chama, NM (October 2007)](images/2007chama_loco487driver-TH.jpg "D&RGW loco 487 [built 1925] and the engine driver at Chama, NM (October 2007)") click to enlarge ![D&RGW loco 488 [built 1925] in the C&TSRR yards at Chama, NM (October 2007)](images/2007chama_loco488-TH.jpg "D&RGW loco 488 [built 1925] in the C&TSRR yards at Chama, NM (October 2007)") click to enlarge |
 click to enlarge  click to enlarge |  click to enlarge |
Railroad Links
official C&TSRR website
C&TSRR entry at Wikipedia
official C&TSRR photos website
official C&TSRR equipment & shops website
Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad [est. 1981, incorp. 1988]
C&TSRR article at the Antonito Whistle Stop Guest House website
American Railroads Pages at Spirit of America Bookstore
Railroad Film Festival Pages at Spirit of America Bookstore
'Railroads in Fiction' Pages at Spirit of America Bookstore
'Non-Fiction Books About Railroads' Pages at Spirit of America Bookstore
here on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Page
top of page short C&TSRR history route & stations equipment roster
reading material films & other media image gallery links
Carson & Colorado / Nevada & California / Southern Pacific Narrow-Gauge Railroads [1880-1960] Page
Cass Scenic Railroad [built 1901] of West Virginia Page
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad [1870-1988] Page
Florida East Coast Railway [est. 1885] Page
Nevada County Narrow Guage Railroad [1876-1942] in California Page
Sierra Railway [est. 1897] in California Page
Virginia & Truckee Railroad [1869-1950, rebuilt 1972 & 2006] in Nevada Page
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