Friday, August 1, 2014

7/30/2014

Wednesday
A call late Tuesday has altered my plans. It has rained since I arrived in the San Luis Valley and it has had its effects. The Colorado Scenic Railroad called and said there had been a landslide on the line blocking the tracks and Thursdays trip had been cancelled. So that left Wednesdays trip on the Cumbres & Toltec RR as the only trip on the schedule. Here is some of what I saw in the 64 mile journey.

Our power arrives.

Our train.


64 Miles to Chama.

Hugging the curves.

Approaching Sublette. This was housing for the section crew that maintained this part of the railroad. They lived here year round.




Looking back down the valley.


Around the curve we go,

It a pretty good jump down to the valley floor.



Looking off one of the trestles.


Looking from another trestle.

What we just crossed. 137 feet above the Cascade river.

Highest point on the railroad. Another place where railroad employees lived year round. The joy of fierce winter storms with drifts 20 foot high was their reward.

A bus trip back to Antonito completed the 8 hour day.




14 comments:

  1. That's too bad about your other train ride. But this one was pretty spectacular.

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  2. At least I wasn't on the train for the landslide. I might be able to reschedule later in the summer.

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  3. Yes that is too bad about missing the other train ride. Is there possibly a reschedule date available? If not then there is always next year.
    Looking at where we have come transportation wise. Back them that was modern transportation and the hardships they lived with were just what they expected. Great looking scenery.
    Be Safe and Enjoy the Good Life!

    It's about time.

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    Replies
    1. I'll be checking it out as I head back east. Like you said, if not, next year.
      The more I learn about and experience what it was like in the late 1800's the more amazed I am about how tough those folks were.

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  4. Sorry about your missed trip. Glad you got to do the second one. Looks like gorgeous country.

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    Replies
    1. Just going with what happens, happens. There is still plenty of beautiful country to enjoy.

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  5. Great pictures love the ones showing the end and front of train from the window seat you had. Were the windows in those old houses painted on, like the ones in Winslow?

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    Replies
    1. Actually I spent most of the trip standing on the platform between the cars. And yes the windows were painted with lace curtains and some other decorations.

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  6. Great couple days, fort, beer cans and a train. There has to be a country song in there somewhere :-)

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  7. Love trains! What a spectacular day. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your adventure, I'm a little green with envy! ;c)

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    Replies
    1. I got a book last year on tourist railroads. If I get close to one, I try to ride it.

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