Chasin da train in da sun wid snow 2011-10-08 (NM-CO photo gallery)

The NARROW GAUGE Dead Goat Saloon ^ | October 8, 2011 | Jay Wimer

[CedarDave]

Follow the link for the whole nine yards. I haven't had time to look at all of them yet Here is just a sample of what Ma nature did for us today AWESOME day!

Picture link:
http://www.chamasteam.com/images/2011-10-08/Gallery/index.html

Video link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CumbresToltec#p/u/1/Uv7lBi_OP8c

[CedarDave]

Snow, steam, sun, blue sky, autumn color, happy riders. These 80-year old little engines take the eleven cars full of passengers from 7,000 plus feet elevation to over 10,000 feet and plow snow to clear the rails. After cresting the pass they will travel down canyon for a hot lunch at an old cowboy stock stop, Osier Colorado. The passengers couldn't go all the way to Antonito CO (a distance of 64 miles) because the mountain passes they would have to traverse to return to Chama were too slippery for the return buses.

Take time out from your busy day to view nature's beauty made accessible by man's building a mountain RR in the 1880's and still preserved for our enjoyment.

[CedarDave]

NM list PING! Click on the flag to go to the Free Republic New Mexico message page.

(The NM list is available on my FR homepage for anyone to use. Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)

[Red_Devil 232]

Great stuff!

[moondoggie]

Just beautiful! Thank U!

[greyfoxx39]

Thanks, Cave...posted to my FB page, HT to you.

[greyfoxx39]

LOL..Cave should be Dave.

[SuzyQue]

That’s beautiful!

Snow always looks great from a safe distance. As in Texas.

[CedarDave]

Another video link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CumbresToltec#p/u/2/UMei0jxcDC0

Camera is mounted on the back of the helper engine’s tender. The train has to stop to proceed one engine at a time to cross 100-ft deep Wolf Creek on Lobato trestle. The trestle was rebuilt this past spring after it burnt down in June 2010. At the summit of the pass the road engine, #487, takes on water while the helper is cut off to return light to Chama. This is railroading as it was done 3/4 of a century ago and in summer or fall is not to be missed.

The videos are by Roger Hogan who works for the RR.

[martin_fierro]

Mrs. & I just got back from the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

We even got to meet Slim & Abner (not that I'm exactly braggin' about the meeting Slim part)

[DollyCali]

what wonderful pix Martin. I especially like the last one. I never knew these events existed. (well, what I know about ballooning is minor)

thanks so for sharing

[Big Giant Head]

ping for later

[woofie]

Ive long loved that train....need to do it again

[bicyclerepair]

In Skagway Alaska, the White Pass & Yukon Route is spectacular.

[elkfersupper]

Thanks for the ping.

I could do without the balloon fiesta, but not without the Cumbres & Toltec RR.

[CedarDave]

You got to ride in one of the balloons!! Great!

[Disambiguator]

See what I had to put up with for 12 years!

;^)

The balloons used to drift over our neighborhood during the mass ascensions.

Judging by the angle of your photos, you went up. It’s a strange flying experience if you’re moving slowly, because you don’t “feel” like you’re flying. You’re just standing there watching the ground recede from you. At least, that was my impression. I was also treated to a near crash-landing near the Unser residence.

[girlangler]

I will be going back to southern N.M. in less than a month, to spend the winter there near the Gila N.F.

Being a lifelong Southerner, I am amazed at the extreme weather changes there depending on elevation.

Thanks for the post, beautiful

[knarf]

I'm speechless and in awe at God's handiwork.

'Course, I'm no longer the cowboy outdoorsey type, preferring a warm fire and time to enjoy reading.

[Red_Devil 232]

Just Wow! Loved the video. Their still breathing and spewing steam and alive!

[OldMissileer]

I always had a meeting scheduled at Sandia during Balloon Fest.

I miss going there as it was always quite a sight to behold.