AT&SF train 21, El Capitan, is assisted on Raton Pass at Wootton Colorado in 1938. EMC 1 number 6 and five cars trail behind the 2-10-2. Otto Conrad Perry photo, from my collection.

ATSF 2-10-2 1696 is assisting EMC E1 number 3 with train 17, the Super Chief, on rugged Raton Pass near Wootton in 1938. Otto Perry photo, from my collection.

ATSF 19, The Chief, is being led by 2-10-2 3814, 2-10-2 3822, and 4-8-4 3768 on the east side of Raton Pass at Wootton Colorado, on December 29th 1940. Otto Conrad Perry photo, from my collection.

ATSF 1695 is assisting ATSF EMC E6 number 13 with an eight car El Capitan, in 1942. Otto Conrad Perry photo, from my collection.

ATSF train number 21, El Capitan, is seen near Wootton Colorado in 1944. ATSF 1797 and ATSF E6, number 13, have thirteen cars in tow doing 25 MPH on rugged Raton Pass. Otto Conrad Perry photo from... (more)

A westbound coal train is nearing the summit of Raton Pass as its DPUs pass Wootton, CO. It was still the good ol' days when BNSF operated a daily manifest and occasional other trains over this ar... (more)

A westbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train climbs the steep grade of Raton Pass at Wootton, Colorado, on February 26, 1999, led by GE C40-8W No. 911 still in Santa Fe’s famous warbon... (more)

Right on time, Amtrak's westbound Chief approaches the summit of Raton Pass, negotiating the famous curves of Dick Wootton's ranch in Colorado just short of the New Mexico border.

Dropping downgrade through Wootton, Colorado, Amtrak's eastbound Southwest Chief has had another successful day conquering Raton Pass as the train begins its decent toward Trinidad.

Being born in the early 90s, I never got to experience big-time mountain railroading on both Tennessee Pass and Raton Pass. When Tennesee Pass closed in 1997, Raton Pass continued to host freight ... (more)

Built in the late 1870s, Santa Fe's original transcontinental route featured the treacherous Raton Pass. Located on the Colorado-New Mexico border, Raton Pass was known as the "highest point ... (more)

Having just crossed into Southern Colorado, Amtrak's Southwest Chief catches the last few rays of sunshine as it negotiates the tight twists and turns of Raton Pass. At over 7,500' above sea level... (more)

Climbing through Wootton
Amtrak’s Southwest Chief rounds the curves through Wootton, Colorado, as it steadily climbs the grade up Raton Pass on the morning of March 4, 2002. A quartet ... (more)

The Southwest Chief tackles the step grades of Raton Pass as it runs around the curve at Dick Wootton's ranch.