"The Railroader" - Lessons learned from a lifetime of working on a historic American West railroad

National Geographic Society ^ | January 25, 2019 | National Geographic Short Films

[CedarDave]

Traveling for 64-miles along the border between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad chugs its way up and over the 10,015 foot high Cumbres Pass. Built in 1880, the C&TS Railroad has revealed the staggering beauty of the American west for nearly a 140 years. Filmmakers Annie and Russell O. Bush tell the the story of those who built and maintain this American tradition through the lens of lifetime railroader John Bush in this powerful short.

[CedarDave]

Take a break from the news of the day and enjoy this ten-minute video filmed in northern New Mexico and Colorado. The railroad is just as historic as its well known counter part, the Durango and Silverton Railroad. But unlike that railroad, the area is undeveloped (no McDonald's, condos or ski slopes) and is an entirely different experience, climbing from the high desert to pine and aspen forests over 10,000 feet high, and traveling high above a deep canyon and rugged gorge.

(For some reason, the sound is muted by default; slide up the sound bar found at the lower right to listen.)

[CedarDave]

Direct link:

https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/00000168-80f8-df6b-ad7d-c0fe1f210000

[CedarDave]

Enjoy our NM heritage!

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[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I remember when the Durango and Silverton Railroad. went clear down through Aztec NM to Farmington back in 1956. It ended going West just north of the San Juan Hospital as we had to cross the tracks to get to the hospital.

[jimtorr]

Bttt

[yarddog]

In the 60’s and 70’s I worked in Western Carolina during the Summers. Each year the staff was able to take the trip from Black Mountain to Old Fort.

The fare was 40 cents. It was the steepest grade East of the Mississippi. There were 11 tunnels and the Andrews geyser would go off when the train passed. We rode in the back of a dump truck on the trip back.

We were packed in like sardines and a beautiful girl was pressed against me but that is another story.

In 1993 or 94, I took several pictures of Norfolk & Western #611 on that same grade.

[Paladin2]

Denver and Rio Grande Railroad used to go to Telluride.

Not so much anymore.

It’s great that two remnant sections remain to experience.

[skr]

bfl

[CedarDave]

All that ended in 1968 when all but the D&S and C&TS segments were abandoned and the rails torn up. The Cumbres and Toltec was saved 50 years ago by volunteers and with a purchase by the states of New Mexico and Colorado. Now operation is financed by ticket prices and capital expenses covered by the two states.

But it was the volunteers who really saved it, young men mostly, who spent late summer and early fall of 1970 collecting and moving all equipment from Alamosa to the line west of Antonito before the scrapper arrived. Men who had no RR experience and learned as they went. There were a few Rio Grande employees who helped teach how to fire and run a steam engine, but it was up to the volunteers to do the work. It was dangerous and hard but in six weeks they cleared and saved the RR.

I'd encourage any who are interest to go to YouTube and watch the video taken at the 40th anniversary of the RR in 2010. Sadly one of the founders, Ernie Robart, passed away suddenly of a stroke last month. Many of the pictures are his. It will take a couple of evenings to watch the videos but you will get a feel for what took place just a short 49 and 50 years ago.

C&TS 40th Anniversary Slide Shows

"In 2010, the C&TS celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the creation of the railroad, and the critical contributions of numerous volunteers. Part of the activities was a 2-night program of slides and comments presented by Terry Ross and Ernie Robart, 2 of the dedicated individuals who were primary organizers of what became the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad."

[RitaOK]

Awesome tale and a great story teller.

I’m half shocked that “tradition” is allowed to stand anywhere in New Mexico, lately. Do you think The Railroader traditions are still standing due to the Indian traditions carving the way there, and which seem to flourish in the state, and also serve as a staple for tourism and the historic Southwest?

[lilypad]

We went on that it was very beautiful thanks for sharing.

[Fiji Hill]

I visited Chama in 1995. It was amazing to visit a fully operational railroad yard that served steam trains. Steam locomotives were even being used to haul freight. Visiting Chama was like going through a time warp back to the 1920’s.

[Responsibility2nd]

Mrs R2 and I rode the Cumbres and Toltec railroad last September. Later that week we went to Durango and rode the Durango and Silverton Train. Both are really great railroads. But if you can only ride one, ride the Cumbres and Toltec. It is the best.

[Paladin2]

Thanks.

I’ve been through those places and more of the old DRG&W route in the Winter when they no longer run.

I’ll have to go back the summer and enjoy the rail trips that still exist.

[Portcall24]

I can’t recall any “McDonald’s, condos or ski slopes” on the D&S. Heck, there’s hardly room for the train in many places.

[rintintin]

Wasn’t Butch Cassidy filmed partly along that line, just north of Chama ? Also The Great Train Robbery?

[rintintin]

Toltec Gorge on the C&S route is spectacular. But the shelf section high above the Animas River on the D&S is even more so, IMO

[whistleduck]

My vote would be the Durango Silverton. Just visited Chama this last summer. May do it again if the planets align.

[Joe Boucher]

4 years ago the wife and I went to Chama on the 4th of July weekend.
If you go 3/4 of the way to the top of the railroad line at dusk and look east a thousand or so Elk come out of the tree line to eat green grass in the valley.
We stayed for 4 days at the Rio Chama RV Campground.
Would recommend it to EVERYONE.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping of interest*

(I’ve taken this ride, which I highly recommend — you need the whole day for it)