Oh, why must the gem of the Cumbres & Toltec fleet sit unused on a storage track on the east side of the Chama Yard? Excuse the play on words...uh...letters, folks. You are looking at Denver & Rio Grande Western's 1923-vintage Rotary Snowplow OY, which may be the last theoretically operable steam rotary in the lower 48. OY sits with her tender and auxiliary water car as a static display for visitors who are curious enough to want to wander the Chama Yard. She last operated on the C&TS in the late 1990s, but the railroad has since elected to clear the mountain passes with bulldozers and front-end loaders. It would probably take some work to get her operational again. Having seen some of John West's RP shots of this baby in action, I can't believe I'm the only one who thinks that OY and a couple of K-36s would make a very attractive (if slightly expensive) photo charter. Charter operators, if you're listening, I've got three words for you: sign-me-up!
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
