Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

It seems like every time I ride a new railroad it becomes my favorite. The Cumbres & Toltec is going to be hard to beat though, at least in terms of scenery. As for sheer awe factor, the Durango and Silverton may have the high point as it clings to the canyon wall but there isn't much variety on that trip. The C&T scenery is changing constantly, through different types of terrain and a variety of types of vegetation. We started at about 7800 ft but soon got into aspen country and topped out at over 10,000 ft. At times it seemed we were above the tree line but I think we were just entering a more arid area that didn't support as many trees. We started seeing wildflowers as we descended to Antonito, some looked like pale versions of the bluebonnets so familiar in Texas. I guess they were just another form of lupin. As we approached Antonito the land leveled out into a very broad treeless valley.

The C&T also has everybody beat as far as food. The train from Antonito and the train from Chama meet in Osier. Everybody gets off and goes in to eat a meal that's included in the ticket. You have your choice of a turkey plate or a meat-loaf plate or soup and salad. There are a variety of hot and cold drinks. Dessert is pick what you want, take all you want but eat all you take. I didn't hear any complaints.

Then everybody gets back on a train. Some continue the way they were going, some go back where they came from. Those that go on have a bus waiting to take them back to their starting point, about a one hour trip. Since the bus takes a different route from the train, that's a sightseeing bonus.

BTW, the post was made with the assistance of the WiFi site of Chama Steam, a little shop in downtown Chama. Check'em out at www.chamasteam.com