Aerial and Satellite Photographs of Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
The following imagemap links (and additional text links below the map) will open a new window and take you to selected locations on the Microsoft Terraserver. The resolution varies from 16-meters down to 1-meter per pixel, which is detailed enough to recognize individual railcars and railroad roadbed. Once at the Terraserver site you can zoom, navigate and search for other
locations.
RailwayStation Aerial Photograph Home
Also, check out our Aerial Tour of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Ron made the map from a screenshot taken from the US Railroad Map software program. (Now called North American Railroad Map.) Ron edited the screenshot in Paint Shop Pro.
Aerial Tour of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Once part of the once extensive 3-foot narrow-gauge network of the Denver & Rio Grande Western; the 64-mile San Juan Extension between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO is now operated as tourist line Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The C&TS RR operates original coal-fired, steam powered, 3-foot narrow gauge locomotives, with restored and replica coaches.
For more information on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad:
Friends of Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - Official website
For more aerial images - in color and from lower altitude, see the Narrow Gauge Circle's Eyes over Colorado page.
THE TOUR:
Unfortunately, these high altitude black and white images do not do justice to the scenic beauty of this railroad. But they do provide a good study of of the entire route. Below are links to just some of the highlights.
Antonito, CO - The Eastern terminus for the C&TS RR. The north side of the wye is former D&RGW (now UP) to Alamosa, CO; the southern leg of the wye was part of the "Chili Line" from Antonito to Santa Fe, NM (abandoned in 1941).
Lava, NM - The water tank at Lava burned in 1971, and was replaced by the tank that once stood in Antonito.
"Whiplash Curve", CO - The tracks gain elevation by doubling back twice. You can stand in one place here and watch the train pass you three times.
Big Horn, NM - named for Bighorn Peak, there is a siding and turning wye here.
Mud Tunnel, NM - also know as "Sand Tunnel" is bored through soft ground and lined with wood to keep it from collapsing.
Toltec Gorge, NM - The spectacular and famous scenic vista of Toltec Gorge became a stopping place for all passenger trains travelling the route.
Osier, CO - There appear to be two trains at the siding here. I believe that the smoke (and/or the smoke's shadow) from one of the locomotives can be seen.
Cascade Creek Trestle, CO - Cascade Trestle, the highest bridge on the railroad, is 137 feet above the water level.
West of Cascade Creek Bridge - It is very rare for a train between stations to show up on these USGS aerial photographs. In this case, I think we got lucky.
Los Pinos, CO - Horseshoe Curve
Los Pinos, CO - Water tower.
"TangleFoot Curve", CO - A very sharp curve just east of Cumbres Pass.
Cumbres Pass, CO - highest point on the C&TS - 10,015 feet.
Lobato, NM - Site of the Lobato, or Wolf Creek trestle, one of two tall steel bridges on the line.
Chama, NM - The railroad reached Chama at the end of 1880. The shadow of the large coaling tower is very evident. You can follow the line farther south to the yard, which is full of old rolling stock.
Back to the Top
Can't get enough of the Cumbres & Toltec? May we suggest these excellent books from Amazon.com?
Ticket to Toltec: a mile by mile guide for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad by Doris B. Osterwald
$9.95 - (from Amazon.com) Usually Ships in 24 hours
Guidebook of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad that
traverses across the New Mexico-Colorado border between Chama, N.M.
and Antonito, Colo. The 64-mile route is part of the former Denver & Rio Grande RR and dates from the 1880s. |
American Narrow Gauge Railroads by George W. Hilton
$31.96 - (20% discount from Amazon.com) Usually Ships in 2-3 days
THE authoritative reference on narrow gauge railroads in the U.S. for narrow gauge railfans. Rated a 4-star book by Amazon.com customers! (Amazon didn't have a picture, but we own this book so we scanned the cover for you. It's a truly wonderful book with lots of old black and white photos, maps and history.)
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This page was last modified on Sunday, 17-Feb-2008 13:10:49 PST
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