"I need another miracle, guys." As the sun sets under dark clouds, a Cumbres & Toltec Fireman (left) briefs the the night crew from the Chama Shop on the issues with his locomotive. For most of the day, he's been competing with a leaky flue, which was tolerable on the run from Osier to Chama, but isn't going to cut it on tomorrow's scheduled run to up to Cumbres Pass and beyond. The shop crew needs to address the problem. There is no spare power. The 489 is in the shop while crews figure out why she keeps derailing and the 487 broke a suspension part the previous day, fouling the valve gear and bending some metal. If 484 cannot run tomorrow, there will be no train to Antonito. The shop crew in Chama could probably all qualify for sainthood because collectively, they've worked a lot of miracles over the years, keeping these 85-year-old engines fit for duty. This night, not one, but two more miracles will occur. Not only will 484 run to Antonito in the morning, but 487 will be out in the yard by tomorrow afternoon and doubleheading with 488 the following day. Here's to you, Chama Crew....the unsung heros who keep the narrow gauge alive.
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.
