Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
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Name	Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad logo = image = locale = Colorado and New Mexico start_year = 1970 end_year = length = 64 gauge = 4 ft 8.5 in tracks = electrification = owner = Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission operator = linemap = map_state = website =

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is a historic narrow-gauge railroad that runs between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico, passing through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Juan Mountains. The railroad is owned by the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission, a bipartisan commission composed of members from Colorado and New Mexico, and is operated in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and the National Park Service. The railroad is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world, including United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. It is also a member of the World Heritage Railway and the Heritage Railway Association.

● History

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century, when it was built by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad to serve the mining and lumber industries in the region. The railroad was constructed between 1880 and 1881, and was originally used to transport coal, copper, and silver from the San Juan Mountains to the Rio Grande River. The railroad played a crucial role in the development of the region, including the growth of Silverton, Colorado, Durango, Colorado, and Gallup, New Mexico. In the early 20th century, the railroad was used to transport troops and supplies during World War I and World War II, and was also used by the United States Army and the United States Navy for military training exercises. The railroad was abandoned in the 1960s, but was later restored and reopened as a scenic railroad in 1970, with the support of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

● Route and Operations

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad runs for 64 miles between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico, passing through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Juan Mountains. The railroad operates from late May to early October, with daily departures from both Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. The railroad offers a range of services, including coach class, tourist class, and parlor class, as well as special dining cars and observation cars. The railroad is operated by a team of experienced engineers, conductors, and brakemen, who are trained by the Federal Railroad Administration and the Association of American Railroads. The railroad also offers a range of special events and themed trains, including the Polar Express, the Christmas Train, and the Wine and Cheese Train, which are popular with visitors from Aspen, Colorado, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Taos, New Mexico.

● Locomotives and Rolling Stock

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad operates a fleet of historic steam locomotives and diesel locomotives, including the K-36 locomotive and the K-27 locomotive, which were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and the American Locomotive Company. The railroad also operates a range of historic passenger cars and freight cars, including the Rio Grande Railroad and the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The locomotives and rolling stock are maintained by a team of experienced mechanics and restorers, who are trained by the National Railway Museum and the Railway Museum of New England. The railroad has also partnered with the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress to preserve and restore its historic locomotives and rolling stock.

● Tourism and Economic Impact

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world, including United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The railroad is a significant contributor to the local economy, generating millions of dollars in revenue each year and supporting hundreds of jobs in the region, including Colorado and New Mexico. The railroad also partners with local hotels, restaurants, and tour operators to offer a range of tour packages and vacation packages, which are popular with visitors from Denver, Colorado, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Phoenix, Arizona. The railroad has also been recognized for its contributions to the local community, including its support for the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA.

● Preservation and Restoration Efforts

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is a historic landmark and a National Historic Landmark, and is preserved and restored by a team of experienced historians, architects, and engineers. The railroad has partnered with the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to preserve and restore its historic locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars. The railroad has also received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities to support its preservation and restoration efforts. The railroad is also a member of the World Heritage Railway and the Heritage Railway Association, and has been recognized for its contributions to the preservation of historic railroads and railway museums, including the B&O Railroad Museum and the California State Railroad Museum.

Category:Railroads in Colorado Category:Railroads in New Mexico