Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

Hello all,

My wife and I visited Colorado together for the first time this past August on our way to watch the solar eclipse in Wyoming. We stayed two nights in Chama at the Chama Station Inn. We rode the train to Osier and back one day, and chased trains the rest of our time there. While I've had a long affinity for steam, this was my first exposure to narrow gauge. WOW! I instantly fell in love, and I fell hard! My work schedule in Tucson makes it difficult for me to get away, but ever since we were there we have been discussing coming back as soon as we can. I'm envious of you who live in the area!

Attached are a handful of the images I made during our visit. We were lucky enough to visit while student trains were running, which made chasing those trains even more enjoyable. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did making them.

Richard Kowalski
Tucson, AZ.

Nice selection. I particularly liked the second photo, the first black and white one, which appears to be looking east as the train approaches the Dalton crossing. I don't recall seeing that angle before.
BTW, the private property owner at that location has a sign that seemingly indicates photographers shouldn't step off the road ROW. I've heard comments to the effect that the sign is an overreach but I don't know specifics of the access constraints there. Regardless, it seems worth mentioning to somebody visiting the area for the first time.
Paul

Thanks Paul. Keeping off of private property, particularly when the owner is less than tolerant, is always a good idea. The image you referenced was taken from the gondola near the rear of the train.

Cheers

Great photos, Richard.

I think many here will share your situation (affliction?). Our first trip was in 2006 and we visited Chama at the end of a 10 day trek around Colorado visiting the various railroads. Like you, I've always loved railroads (steam in particular), and I was smitten with Colorado long before we arrived in Chama. But, walking into Chama Yard that first time was/is indescribable. It was one of those rare moments in your life when you KNOW things are changing... a fundamental shift... and that life in the future will be far different than you intended.

I put up a website to document our travels and explorations: RioGrandeExplorations.net

Chama truly is a special place.

*That road at Dalton is a county road. The "no trespassing" signs are un-enforacable nonsense. You should have no problem driving to the grade crossing. I've done it lots of time and so have many friends. No one has ever had an issue that I know of. Now, if you cross a fence line, that'll be a different story.

Shot at Dalton in 2011

Nice shots Rich. The property line is that fence at Dalton, just don't go past it. Like Jason, I shot that crossing all the time when there and find it a nice location. The drive up to Osier also affords a number of locations off the beaten tourist track which you could try on a return visit. This summer I am trying the road past Apache crossing so I can shoot the train as it comes up the Los Pinos valley from Osier.