Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

Happy 4th of July to all visitors and to those viewing from afar today. Promises to be another great day on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad!

A beautiful sunrise over Antonito captured by CDOT.

Early morning light over Chama feature two simmering locomotives and lush vegetation in the yard. Looks like a great day to ride on the holiday this year!

Today we will have the 4th of July train up to the pavilion after 215 gets into Chama and turned. Also I believe that it is this coming Saturday that the Sunset Dinner trains begin their season so things will get busier. Interesting that the 4th coach was moved over to the yard last evening so maybe not as may expected riders today as have been on over the weekend. Other thing, no Goose 5 this 4th, we will see it in August.

Sunrise in Chama -- Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Larry Sullivan wrote:Sunrise in Chama -- Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Well done!

Sharon Evans wrote:Today we will have the 4th of July train up to the pavilion after 215 gets into Chama and turned. Also I believe that it is this coming Saturday that the Sunset Dinner trains begin their season so things will get busier. Interesting that the 4th coach was moved over to the yard last evening so maybe not as may expected riders today as have been on over the weekend. Other thing, no Goose 5 this 4th, we will see it in August.

Late evening fireworks hopefully too when the Dinner Train returns to conclude activities on the 4th....

With good weather expected, they should have the fireworks show tonight. I remember in 2013 when I was there for the 4th it was 45 degrees during the show and I stayed in the Goose to keep out of the wind which was blowing. Think, 45 degrees and there were thunderstorms back in the mountains putting on their own firework show.

Morning preparations for the 4th of July train 216.




They must be planning some type of ceremony prior to departure since I hear someone testing a PA system.

Sharon Evans wrote:With good weather expected, they should have the fireworks show tonight. I remember in 2013 when I was there for the 4th it was 45 degrees during the show and I stayed in the Goose to keep out of the wind which was blowing. Think, 45 degrees and there were thunderstorms back in the mountains putting on their own firework show.

Let's hope it's a better evening in 2016!!

Departure of train 216: Seven cars with 484 leading again.



As the 484 passes the coaling tower, the engineer blows for the running brake test.

I have one thing to say to people celebrating the 4th of July today: God Bless America!

You would think that the 487 would be the power on the 4th train later but right now I cannot see even a whiff of steam or smoke from it.

Its Alive...

Sharon Evans wrote:You would think that the 487 would be the power on the 4th train later but right now I cannot see even a whiff of steam or smoke from it.

I think they heard you - smoke now and headlight on too!

Arrival of train 215: It looks like he cleared Cumbres just after 3 pm by the fact the cars have gone on the 3:05 pm grab. If this is the case should be in Chama by 4:15 at latest. Well, they have done something I have not seen, the same consist which went east as 216 has returned as 215 without being turned, ie the parlor was behind the 484.





Just think, anyone riding parlor from Antonito and is a rail fan would be ecstatic since the locomotive sounds are right there in your face. Also wonder if they backed the consist that came from Antonito around the balloon track before heading back so it would come into Antonito in the correct position?

Preparation and departure of train 236: Since the train set does not have to be wyed, the cleaners and onboard crew are working fast to get it ready to depart back up the hill. Hope everyone brought a jacket since it is going to be chilly when the fireworks are deployed.




As train 236 passes the coaling tower, the engineer acknowledged a good running brake test.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL! Thanks for all the great coverage every day. Does anyone know what time this evening's train is scheduled to depart and arrive back in Chama?

Bill Grierson wrote:HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL! Thanks for all the great coverage every day. Does anyone know what time this evening's train is scheduled to depart and arrive back in Chama?

I thought it was due out at 1830 and should be back for the fireworks by 9 or so.

Thanks Sharon

I just saw on the NGDF that there has been a big rock slide near Rock Tunnel. A gentlemen riding 215 reported they got through Mud Tunnel then had to back to Big Horn where they turned the train and 463 took it back to Antonito. It might explain how 216 morphed into 215.

Well, that is something that probably will not be cleared for several day, so will be interesting to see what they do tomorrow. 216 can make it to Osier then come back, but an Antonito to Big Horn ride but not be a whole lot for the people planning to ride 215.

Dinner Train has just left. Heading into what looks like wet weather in the high country.

Train has returned, and now we know where the gondolas that went out on the doubleheader were!

Enjoy the fireworks show, I'm off to work. Videos in the morning.

Fireworks display underway! A great way to finish the 4th on the RR.

Good night from Chama!

Ok - sorry for the wait on these, unfortunately that silly thing of making a paycheck gets in the way of fun sometimes! Hope all had a great day on the 4th.

Compilation of the days train activity is first up.



A few minutes of the Chama fireworks -- this is one show I need to get to one day, truly lasts an hour -- and as you can see at the end, plenty of stuff still going up after the train has unloaded and switching out, I assume, the gondolas is done.

Bill Grierson wrote:I just saw on the NGDF that there has been a big rock slide near Rock Tunnel. A gentlemen riding 215 reported they got through Mud Tunnel then had to back to Big Horn where they turned the train and 463 took it back to Antonito. It might explain how 216 morphed into 215.

For sessions C & D, there appeared to be a significant amount of rain East of Cumbres. On July 1 there was a rock patrol speeder preceeding 216 (at least to Osier) so they may have been anticipating a slide.