[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.

[skr]

bfl

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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)

[evaporation-plus]

Saw that short film last evening. Started to check for airports this morning. Denver or Albuquerque, ahhh just dreaming.

[Hot Tabasco]

My aunt gave me an obituary of my great grandfather who I knew nothing about. He died in 1937 at the age of 93.

Originally from Ontario, Canada, he worked in the logging industry during his younger years in northern Michigan till he had an unfortunate accident. He was hit by a runaway railroad flat car that crushed his leg and it had to be amputated. No hospitals around there at the time so it was done on his kitchen table......