Completing a Cumbres Turn. The crew of Chama-based helper Locomotive #489 performs a brief inspection and lubrication of their engine in front of the section house at Cumbres Pass (Elevation 10,015 ft.) prior to beginning their descent back to Chama. This crew has just completed its morning mission, helping Locomotive #484 haul a 17-car Cumbres Turn up the 4%. After dropping the cars on one of the lengthy sidings here, the crew will run to Chama, grab lunch and at about mid-afternoon, assist in bringing another cut of cars up the hill. Back when the D&RGW operated freight on this line, this was the way in which long freight trains were assembled at Cumbres Pass, for the trip east to Alamosa. The re-creation seen here was part of a 2015 photo charter, organized by Historic Transport Preservation (HTP.) Although the date is 2015, the story I just told is true. This engine really did just finish assisting a re-creation Cumbres Turn and would indeed bring another cut of cars up the hill later that day. At the end of this day, a 35-car freight was assembled in the yard at Cumbres Pass, and set off for Antonito under a full moon.
Incidentally, the structure you see adjacent to the engine in this photo is not the old Cumbres Station. That building was located across Highway 17, and was removed many years ago. The structure seen here is the old D&RGW Section House. It is maintained by the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the TLC which has been put into this building in the past couple of years is now obvious to anyone who visits the site. Their efforts are ensuring that the history of the Colorado Narrow Gauge will be preserved for future generations to appreciate.
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.
