to nearly Cumbres. Needing help pulling the train.
We left the yard in time to catch the shop workers
take their coffee break.
 |
At Lobato are the remains of a stock pen and the
remains of a water tower made for a 1970's movie,
later the tank was used in the movie "Indiana Jones
and the Last Crusade".
|
The water tank was
knocked down in 2006, due to
age and high winds.
A
quarter of a mile away is the Lobato Trestle, the second highest trestle on
the line built in 1883. Due to weight restrictions, only one locomotive is
allowed to cross; therefore, all double-headers must separate and
rejoin on the
other side.
Here we see # 489 has uncoupled and crossed the
bridge and 463 has started across the bridge.
#489 waits for #463 to cross and recouple.
You can never have too many Double-Header pictures!
Soon we were rolling across the countryside!
Most of the trip we followed the Wolf Creek.
At Cumbres Pass is the car inspector house and Station.
Here the double-header engine #489 disconnects and
using the Wye here at Cumbers Station, will turned
around and heads back to Chama to help the
next train.
Sign on Road next to track.
Cumbres Pass Summet Elevation 10,022 FT
Sign on track right of way.
Cumbres Pass Elevation 10,0015.
Our 1st deer sighting turned out to be a cow and calf.
The next was a deer.
And the last was 3 Train Chasers.
This photo of Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Here we are on the lower track of Tanglefoot Curve, eastbound crews would jump off trains on the upper track, walk down to the lower track to check for "hot boxes" (bearings run dry and heating up,) if they found none, they would reboard the train. Story goes that a long time ago a Trainman got his foot tangled in a bush and slid down the bank almost to the track in front of the Locomotive, from then on they called it Tanglefoot Curve.
Highest Bridge on the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad
at 137 Feet above Cascade Creek.
Coming into Osier, we will have lunch here and lose our Double-header engine.
Another view of Osier
Photo by Ron Dougherty
An interesting view of Osier.
The dining hall run by "Toltec Gorge Catering, Inc."
We had a good lunch here including desert.
As we pulled into Osier, we saw our
fire control unit following us.
Our train sitting at Osier after we had lunch.
Judy and I pose with engine 483, we are a bit windblown!
Close-up of engine #463
And a fish-eye view of the whole train. If you Double Click the picture and look close, you can see another train
headed in the opposite direction to Chama.
Monument erected near Rock Tunnel by railroad ticket agents to the memory of president James A. Garfield after his assassination in 1881
When I saw this picture, I had to post it just for the history.
C. R. Lively posing on his D&RG handcar at the Garfield
Monument at Rock Tunnel. D&RG Rock Tunnel,
NM Taken by Lively, Charles R. - ca. 1907
In book "Chama/Cumbres with a Little Chili
(1st ed.)" page 125
Print marked: "Garfield Monument at Rock Tunnel"
Dorman caption: "A young C. R. Lively on his handcar has his picture taken by the future Ida Mae Lively, about 1907. They were on a Sunday outing from Osier and he seems ready to work with his agent's attire!"
Photo by TripAdvisor Photos
Rock Tunnel, bored through 360 Ft. of solid Rock.
Phantom Curve is named for the ghostly shapes and shadows seen in the locomotive headlight at night.
Entering Mud Tunnel, this tunnel requires wooden supports over its entire 342 foot length.
Photo by robert@rcjbooks.com
Don't blink or you might have missed Sublette.
Soon we would cross over this bridge on Whiplash Curve,
on our way down to the Mesa below, by using
switchbacks we were able to drop 39 to 40 feet
with out requiring a long trestle or roadbed berm.
Mount San Antonio, the only shield volcano in the
continental USA. (Hawaii has 4) A shield volcano.
Shield volcanoes' low viscosity lava means that the lava
is more liquid and flows more quickly than thick lava. Therefore it can spread further, building up thin layers that continue to accumulate and create the shield volcano's shape.
Judy looking back on our ride.
Photo by Kenneth Spengler
The Cumbres and Toltec traverses 64-miles between
Chama, NM and Antonito, CO. It crosses the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times as it chugs its way up and over the 10,015′ high Cumbres Pass.
As we crossed the Mesa,
on the open car I found , (front to back)
Dan Swanson, Scott Hurd Jim Herb and Liz Herb.
The Mesa almost looked like a large cauldron.
 |
The Lava Tank sitting high on the Mesa, once held water
for the engines. The water was pumped from
the Rio de Los Pino River |
The names " Ferguson's Trestle" and "Hangman's Trestle" stem from the hanging of Mr. Ferguson of Antonito, Colorado, who was hung from the bridge for an unknown capital crime. According to the lore, those responsible for the hanging commandeered a locomotive out of the Antonito Yard and ran it out to the trestle which was the first structure
suitable to hang him from.
The original bridge built in 1886 was burned down in 1988 during the filming of "Where The Hell’s That Gold" staring Willie Nelson and Delta Burke. The replacement structure we see there today was constructed the following year.
The Antonito Depot, I think some of us left some money here buying souvenirs
The track yards and other structures at Antonito.
I wish I had shot some pictures of the new
passenger cars being built at Antonio.
Fortunately Kenneth Spengler did and here is one.
Photo by Kenneth Spengler
The Cumbres & Toltec RR build their passenger cars
on site in their own shops. These are modern frame (steel) rail cars, built to today's standards, yet keep the
charm of the late 1800"s.
In the picture is a C&T Diesel engine # 19. One of 2
GE 47-ton switchers the C&T RR runs.
Poor Engine #494 only used for Advertising today.
Engine #494 built in 1908
Built at D&RG standard gauge Class 190/C-41
Rebuilt by Burnham Shops to K-37 494 in 1928
Retired 1962, to Cumbres and Toltec in 1970
Static display, Antonito
We hopped on our Tour Bus and drove to Alamosa, CO.
for diner at Locavores, a Subway type restaurant,
the food was good, but they were not prepared
to handle our group.
After our meal, Raul drove us to the
Holiday Inn & Express for the night.
DAY 6
To start off Day 6, we had coffee and donuts in the park
There was a river that ran past the park.
The "rock wall work" to protect the access road
On our way up stream along the Arkansas River.
The local wells could not supply sufficient water for the towns needs and local water was brackish or alcaly, and not good for drinking water.
One especially hard winter, temperatures dropped quickly and dramatically, and even the fast moving water
inside the pipeline could not prevent freezing.
The freezing ice expanded and shattered to wooden pipeline.
This picture shows the beauty of the rock in the canyon.
 |
The A-Frame supports the bridge above the river,
because the river is too narrow and the wall so steep,
the bridge needed to be hung over the river.
This picture was taken by my former neighbor, Herman Lenaburger, in 1970, from the Royal Gorge Bridge above. |
 |
The A-frame works so well because as weight is added,
it anchors it self more firmly as weight is added |
Evidentially somebody didn't bother to check height restrictions and a load on a train struck this support.
 |
Looking back on the A- Frame support.
|
 |
The Royal Gorge suspension bridge,1053 feet above the Arkansas River. The suspension bridge, was built in 1929 at a cost of $350,000. It was originally a toll bridge.
It is 1260 feet long and 18 feet wide with almost
1300 wood planks
This is the picture Herman shot of the bridge it self.
|
Headed back to Canon City.
The craggy canyon walls.
 |
| A pipeline bridge. |
Lots of Rafting goes on on the Arkansas River.
Irrigation Diverter.
End of the line at the Canon City Depot, for our group picture.
REMEMBER TO DOUBLE CLICK ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT!
Antler Hotel in Colorado City, this was our home for 2 nights.
DAY 7
On Day 7 the group headed out to the Olympic Training Center.
Photo by Scott Hurd
Upon arrival our group was met by the staff.
 |
Photo by Scott Hurd
And saw where the Olympians train. |
Photo by Scott Hurd
Photo by Scott Hurd
And the Training Firing Range, where Olympians sharpen their target shooting skills!
Photo by Scott Hurd
And The Olympic Cauldron!
Then it was on to the Garden Of The Gods
Photo by Scott Hurd
Here we are at the Visitors Center.
With natural Wonders lying ahead!
Photo by Scott Hurd
This formation is called "Kissing camels."
Photo by Scott Hurd
This group of Amish Ladies are enjoying having
their picture taken at the "Balancing Rock."
Photo by Scott Hurd
It is a bit laid back here, or the horses can't read!
Photo by Scott Hurd
Our guide Mar has nicknamed this formation
"Finding Nemo". Can you see Nemo?
Photo by Scott Hurd
This one is the "Giant Gopher." It certainly looks like a gopher, sitting up there.
Photo by Scott Hurd
Do you see "Papa Smurf?"
Photo by Scott Hurd
The Garden Valley. Ute Indians camped here.
Then on to Manitou Springs
Photo by Scott Hurd
Manitou and Pike's Peak #2 is on display on the
corner of Manitou Ave. and El Paso Blvd.
in downtown Manitou Springs, Colorado.
It was one of 3 locomotives built in 1890 by Burnham, Williams & Co., an early incarnation of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, to run from Manitou Springs, CO.
up to scenic lookouts on Manitou Mountain
and Pikes Peak.
The Pikes Peak Locomotive Plaque,
I took some liberties so you could read the Plaque.
Photo by Scott Hurd
These are some of the old Pike's Peak cars in retirement.
Photo by Scott Hurd
Driving thru downtown Manitou Springs, CO.
Photo by Scott Hurd
Display of Van Briggle Pottery made in Manitou Springs, CO.
Photo by Scott Hurd
In 1909, 7 Minute Spring was drilled adjacent
to the site of the former Manitou House Hotel.
The spring produced a geyser every 7 minutes,
hence the name 7 Minute Spring.
Today, 7 Minute Spring is home to a gazebo, outdoor amphitheater, and sculpture garden.
The park offers beautiful views of
the surrounding mountains.
The site was developed into 7 Minute Spring Park in 1993, after the original building enclosing and the spring fell into disrepair. The center piece of the park is a Gazebo incorporating an 1880's design of a structure that once sheltered Ute Iron Spring on Ruxton Avenue.
Photo by Scott Hurd
Manitou Pale Dry
Meanwhile when the rest of the group did the Olympic Training Center and Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs, a couple of us went to Pikes Peak for a unique experience!
Unique, because the Pikes Peak Railroad is shut down for now, mainly because of construction of a new top house. The entire top of the mountain is a work site, with only parking space for a few Tour Buses. Everyone else has to stop at a parking lot about 3/4 of the way up and ride a bus the rest of the way.
Right behind the Antlers Hotel is the The Old Depot Square
where you catch the Gray Line Bus Tours to Pikes Peak.
On our way on our Gray Liner Bus, our driver is a Teacher most of the year, but summers he drives and
narrates these tours, he did an excellent job of both.
Headed up on the switch back roads.
I ride bikes but this guy is a better man than I am!
Believe me, when they say the air is thin on top, they mean it, I grabbed a oxygen boost cylinder at the base Tourist store, I needed it with my breathing problems!
Our bus at the top, in one of 4 parking spaces
not used by the construction company.
I saw Big Foot walking around and had to shoot
this picture of him
Judy ran into his brother in side the gift store.
Double Click!
Panorama of the end of the line if the train was
running, but it is out for awhile.
"Visit Pikes Peak" announced on its website the
historic railroad.billed as the world's highest of its kind
will reopen in 2021. The railway closed in October 2017
for maintenance that has taken far longer than expected.
What started out as routine maintenance has become
an entire replacement of the rail system. New trains
and track are being made. Trains cost several
million dollars and take about 2 years to make.
Those trains use a different kind of cog, so the tracks and cogs must be replaced as well. Cog trains are only made by 2 companies in the world.
Except the Mount Washington Cog Railway,
makes their own engines.
Judy in front of the Pikes Peak sign.
Jim taking a break with a beautiful view
in the background, most of the tallest mountains in
the area are behind me. You can see 5 states on a
clear day like this one.
Colorado,Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Kansas.
Judy taking her turn! While a young girl appears to be standing on the edge. She isn't
Panorama of the view from the top to the north.
I believe to the west.
People actually hike to the top!
Winding roads going down, see the road below?
We will soon be there!
Remember to double click any picture to make it larger!
One of our required stops on the way down to allow
the brakes to cool down.
Motorcycles stop for the same reason,
before heading down the next leg.
This guy is on his way to the 3/4 parking lot,
where he will catch a shuttle.
This year snow caps in July are common, they had
an abundance of snow last winter.
This Postcard view is the kind I try to capture!
We got back to the hotel about 2:00
and I snapped this picture of the Old Antlers Hotel
made out of Lego's.
The first Antlers Hotel was built in 1883
and burned down in 1898.
The second Antlers Hotel was built in 1901, it was torn down in 1964 to make way for the current Antlers.
This Lego model is of the second hotel.
When we got up to our room, I found this chocolate
Diagonal Cutter. Given by the maintenance staff for reporting light bulbs out in our room and one of the elevators!
View from our room.
When the rest of the group got back we all hopped on the bus and headed to Golden Corral for dinner.
John and Nancy Carlson, he was already to lighten the mood! Also pictured Ted Despotes and Mike Sallee.
Sitting closest to the camera is Gene Sumney,
behind him are Paula Spengler and John and Nancy Carlson, Jim and Ruth Schoening, maybe
Jim and Liz Herb, and Scott and our driver.
in the far back and maybe Larry Payne. Didn't mean to miss anyone,but if I did let me know.
On the left is Al and Linda Kaufman and the right is
Frank and Ruth Ann Ayre. Linda looks a little tired
from a full day!
Just a group shot, you can see yourself
if you are in here !
And so the end of a beautiful day 7!
DAY 8
On Day 8 we headed to the Georgetown Loop for one of the best train rides in Colorado!
We arrived to a beautiful day at the Georgetown loop .
Actually Silver Plume Rail Yards.
Our locomotive for the Day! # 40 #40 is a Narrow gauge, B-4G
Class, 2-8-0 wheel arrangement steam engine, it was built by Baldwin in 1920 , build # 53777. Originally sent to
El Salvador then to Central City, CO and from there to Skagway, AK, and finally
to the George town loop.
The first 2-8-0 was
built by Matthias Baldwin in 1866. The locomotive was named
"Consolidation" in honor of the recent consolidation of the Beaver
Meadow, Penn Haven & White Haven and Lehigh & Mahanoy railroads into
the Lehigh Valley.
Pulling out we see the work camp for the GTRR.
Soon we crossed over a swollen stream, normal for this year.
A Gold Miner camp site, wow, has that miner waited
a long time to strike it rich!
We are coming up on a side track.
A side track off to somewhere in the woods.
Looking forward to the engine over the tender.
Once part of the mining operation,
large compressor to the left center.
Our coach/dining car.
Here comes #40's sister engine #111 pulling an
excursion train out of the Morrison Valley Center.
A closer look.
A look as #111 goes by.
Looking back at Devil's Gate High Bridge
as we pass over.
Looking west from Devils Gate at
Morrison Valley Center station.
Looking ahead at Devil's Gate bridge.
We arrive at Morrison Valley Center and
Al is glad to see me!.
Shot of #40, with Devil's Gate Bridge in the background.
Are they checking their pictures?
Our engineer, he certainly looks the part!
Clear shot of the boiler.
A few candid shots while we are in the station.
Another look at Devil's gate Bridge.
Heading back to Silver Plume.
Recrossing the stream.
A flat car on a siding, loaded with what looks
like a track switch.
Looking down on US 6 and Clear Creek.
Note the tracks on the other side of the stream.
We cross Clear Creek, 4 times going 1 way.
Back to the siding and #111 is on the other track.
Clear Creek again!
End of the line back at Silver Plume Station.
Then it was onto Lookout Mountain
Getting off the bus at the
Red Rock Amphitheater Parking lot.
Instead of going directly to the Red Rock Amphitheater,
I took the path less taken,
which goes around back of the Amphitheater
There are spectacular views everywhere you look.
I will let the next few pictures speak for themselves.
In the distance is Denver.
Photo by Scott Hurd
While I was working my way around back,
Scott took this picture of the Amphitheater
From the back looking at the Amphitheater.
Another view from the back looking at the seating.
Can you see yourself in this picture?
More scenes that can speak for themselves.
This crevasse was interesting. You can see clear through, but you would have to be really thin to make it through!
Rocks framing Denver in the background.
The size of boulders here are amazing, this one
has been around forever,
I bet if it could talk it would have stories to tell.
It watched this area grow from an empty high plains
to the Metropolis that Denver is today.
.
Then onto Denver
The Denver Botanical Gardens.
The “I See What You Mean” piece, also known
as the “Big Blue Bear,”
During the Design process, local artist Lawrence Argent faced the task of creating a work of art that represented Colorado while still avoiding the clichés, such as mountains. Knowing that the sculpture would be visible to those driving past the convention center, he felt that a curious bear embodied the curiosity that passersby might feel as they wondered what was going on inside the
massive events center on any given day.
It certainly is one of a kind!
Dinner at the Denver Cheesecake Factory
Scott with his Birthday Cake!
Photo by Judy Buzard
Another view where you can see the cake, not blurred.
And some candid shots
Soon our meal was over and we made our way
to Denver Union Station.
Union Station is a Hot Spot in downtown Denver on a Friday night! Restaurants, Bars and shops.
Photo by Jack McCabe
It seems to be the place to be on a weekend night!
Then it was Good Night Denver, as our train
headed east into the night.
Day 9
The trip home!
Photo by Scott Hurd
Bonus smoke stop at
Hastings, NE.
Little bit of trivia, My Great, Great Grandmother Buzard
died in Hastings about 100 years ago.
Photo by Scott Hurd
Before we get to Omaha, we arrive in Friend. NB
Photo by Scott Hurd
And in Friend you find "Tipsy Cow."
Two in the afternoon on Saturday the 13th we were in Omaha, NB. During the night east of Denver, our train had an encounter with an obviously inebriated woman sitting on the tracks. Fortunately for her she survived and our engine was no worse for the wear. It did put us an hour or so behind schedule.
West bound Burlington-Northern Santa Fe
freight passes us in Omaha.
Omaha Union Station
Photo by Scott Hurd
Here's you taking a photo
of me taking a photo of the
Amtrak Trainmaster & the Coach Attendant.
Photo by Scott Hurd
Our Complimentary dinner.
Wrecked CitiRail engine on flatcar in Burlington,IA as BNSF freight heads west.
About to cross the Mississippi River.
Photo by Scott Hurd
Sunset departing Burlington, IA
Photo by Scott Hurd
Our Dining car crew.
On these trips, you come to know who else will be taking a break when we stop, Linda Kaufman was one of those people. Here we are stopped in Galesburg, IL.
Another Galesburg,IL picture.
Photo by David Scharenberg
We pulled into Princeton, IL about 10 or 11, here we said goodbye to our fellow passengers and headed home, to Rock Falls, IL about 45 minutes north.
Photo by Scott Hurd
Pass through the Chicago 14th Street Yard
Photo by Michael Mann
The rest of you got into Chicago Union Station after Midnight and continued on the next day. I hope you all had a safe trip on the final leg of your journey! Maybe we will meet again someday on another train ride!
My apologies to all of you for the delay on completing this story, there were more pictures on this America by Rail Trip than any Blog post I have done. Not making excuses, I should have completed this long ago.
I hope you enjoy the memories we made on this journey together!
Jim Buzard, Your Photographer and Blogger.
Please Check out my other posts on Riding the Rails!
FINI
