Adventure 670: Sky Mountain RV Resort/Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad/Post B

Treated to a drop dead gorgeous day, we ventured up highway 17 toward Cumbres Pass to check out the route the railroad would take. Along the way we stopped to chat with a self-proclaimed "rail fan" named Bill who was waiting for trains to pass by. His encyclopedic knowledge held us in sway for over forty-five minutes, and I'm sure he could have talked longer. Currently living in Denver and employed as a CAD designer for a heavy equipment company, he spends his weekends photographing trains all over the west. It proved serendipitous for us because he expounded on the history of the Cumbres & Toltec train line which has run daily since 1880. It helped bring our trip alive. At eleven-thirty (or so-trains don't run on time, except in Japan) we boarded our car for what was supposed to be a two hour trip to the summit of Cumbres Pass and back. The trip took an extra hour not only because we left the station late; we also had to delay at the top waiting for another train that had engine trouble on the way up. Every part of the experience delighted us: the scenery, the ambience, the sweet lady docent who babbled facts, and the surprise meeting of a couple of former teachers from New Jersey. Of course we bonded as professionals, but just as pleasant, we exchanged the hopes, dreams, and experiences of the freshly retired. Phil, a former teacher turned elementary principal had retired earlier than Janice, a middle school Language Arts teacher, who said if not for covid she would still be teaching. Clearly, she loved the "action". They had planned a full trip last year before covid struck. Sadly, that adventure was cancelled, but they had the gleam of first day seventh graders in their eyes as they described the stops they planned to make on this renewed attempt. Chatting with them added to our wonderful experience on the train. It's always nice to meet former teachers who did the job because they loved the kids. Truth be told, I've met a few teachers who groused a bit about the profession. Having said that, I'm happy to be retired. In my thirty-one years, the job was hard. In present times, it seems impossible. Mostly, we enjoyed the views, the weather, the sharing, and the privilege we enjoy. It verifies once again my working theory that life is good, especially today.

Phil and Janice Schmidt, fellow teachers and new found friends (Sorry for the poor photo).

My Bunny riding the rails.

The rail yard at Chama, beaming with action and littered with cars of all types.

Just prior to our departure, the engineers linked the engine to the cars with a gentle but solid mechanical clank.

Passengers waiting to board.

Loaded in our assigned seats, we took the selfie of the day.

Chama rests at 7863 feet above sea level; Cumbres pass is 1015. One view up the three-four percent grade.

The station at Cumbres summit.

We were first to board. Elaborate oak wood with chamfered edges, routed inlays, red velvet chairs and a glossy embossed tin roof.

Our brakeman taking a sip of water as we left the station

Opinions vary as to the altitude. Railway engineers say one thing; road survey crews say another.

Snow shed at the summit of Cumbres Pass where the train backed into a Y turn out before heading back down the grade.

Art shot of the day.

Not only can't the pictures capture the grandeur, but just imagine the chug-a-chug of the coal fired steam engine, the belch of the smoke from the stack, and the smell of burnt coal.

This little guy followed us all the way up just in case of fire.

Quite a few movies have been filmed on this stretch. This is what's left of the water tower used during the Indiana Jones movie where Harrison Ford jumped from the water tower to the train. Word is he did his own stunts.