A Beautiful Trip!

 Thursday, we left Alamosa for a fairly short and beautiful drive to Chama, New Mexico.  We have been coming to this area off and on for probably 50 years.  Not only is it cooler here (almost 7900 ft altitude), but there is a tourist train pulled by old steam engines. Steam trains, and even diesel trains, are something we have  been interested in all of our married lives.

 We saw pine and fir trees, as well as aspen.

In places, we saw lots of wild flowers.

Then, we saw something exciting in the distance! Look carefully at the center left hand side of the photo.  Smoke!

As we approached the top of the pass, we saw the daily Cumbres and Toltec train.  We couldn't have timed it better if we had tried.

After the train stopped long enough for the passengers to take a few photos, it was off to it's lunch stop at Osier, 

The steam train is always followed by this small car--called a speeder--that checks to see that no fires start up in the wake of the train spewing smoke and cinders.  

Cumbres Pass

The drive from Chama, New Mexico, into Colorado is a beautiful trip over Cumbres Pass.  The area was exceptionally green.

Over the years, we have driven over Cumbres Pass and ridden the Cumbres and Toltec train through this area.  This year we didn't get train tickets.

Soon we came on this iconic sign, welcoming us back to our home state.

This small community is situated in a pleasant valley.

Once we were into Colorado, we began to see the devastation caused by the pine bark beetle. Throughout the state, we see these large stands of dead trees. It is so sad to see.

Chasing the Train

This year we decided not to ride the Cumbres and Toltec RR. We have done that any number of times, including last year. Instead, we "chased" it from Chama to Cumbres Pass. If you aren't into trains, you might not know what I am talking about. We visited the station in Chama then followed the train on the first half of it's daily route, which just happens to parallel the highway. We were one of 4 vehicles doing that Thursday.

Before the train departed, we saw these two engines sitting in front of the shops. They must be there for repairs.

We walked along the track to choose a good place for photos.

Just after 10 am the train started to move.

About a half hour later, we took these photos.

We came to a crossing where we could get closer to the train.

Here is engine 494 pulling the train across the Lobato Trestle.

The scenery along the route is beautiful.

When the train reached the top of Cumbres Pass, it had to take on some more water.

There is always a pop car following the train, ready to put out any fires it might get started.

Years ago, when this was a working railroad track handling more than just tourists, this snow shed on the top of the pass protected engines during the worst snows of winter.

Trains are fun to watch as well as to ride.