I rode the Durango & Silverton train when I was a kid. I should take my 11 yr old to ride the Chama train.
Both RR’s are spectacular but different in their territory. The D&S climbs onto a rocky ledge then descends and follows the Animas River to Silverton with the snow-capped mountain peaks high above. From Chama NM the C&TS climbs to the 10,000+ foot pass and then follows the Los Pinos River east to Osier and then through tunnels and on the edge of a 600 to 800 foot canyon as it descends to Antonito CO.
Most people have heard of Durango and the railroad to Silverton, but the last time I rode it, nobody had heard of the CATS which is both longer and higher than the D&S. That will change starting next month.
When the D&RG abandoned the line in 1968, all the freight cars were brought to the Chama yards. These are now being restored and used on special photo charters which bring income to the area.
Chama is economically depressed with no national hotel chains or restaurants there. Many are on the government dole. The history buffs would like it to remain that way but the state governments of NM and CO can no longer foot the bill just to please historians. That is why the new operator is going to change the focus. In Durango, a four-season tourist town, you have a McDonald’s next to the RR station. In spite of that change in focus, don’t expect to see that here.