The Prototype
Narrow gauge railroading in the Rocky Mountains is such a vast subject that one can only hope to present a small part of it in one small website. Perhaps the best illustration of contemporary narrow gauge railroading (using the original routing and equipment, as updated and repaired and restored over the years) is on the Cumbres and Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad. This tourist line runs between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado, carrying many passengers each summer through spectacular landscape. A recent video was made using the latest technology, and is quite impressive as it presents views of the Cumbres and Toltec never seen by the passengers. Here’s the video, courtesy of Luke Fitch via YouTube:
I wanted to personally provide a flavor of the real thing – the prototype – with a few photos made by me over the recent past of what remains of the locations, locomotives, rolling stock, and the general atmosphere surrounding narrow gauge railroads.
These only begin to scratch the surface of what still remains, but are among my favorites, and all were taken by me. I’ve added some snippets of information, and those who are familiar with narrow gauge railroading will easily recognize them.
Note that by clicking on the thumbprint photos in this website you can enlarge them and view them as a slideshow.
PERSONAL:
I’ll start out with the usual obligatory personal photos (proving I was actually there!) and go on from there.
-
- Michael and Liz at Chama with C&T 488
-
- Michael on parlor car Alamosa at Silverton Wye
-
- Trout Lake Trestle
MOTIVE POWER:
Below are three photos of an assortment of locomotives and motive power typically used on narrow gauge railroads. The Galloping Goose deserves its own website, and there are a number of links elsewhere that can take you there. The fleet of “geese” were unique and quite unusual, and found only on the Rio Grande Southern.
-
- Cumbres and Toltec No. 484 at Osier
-
- Cumbres and Toltec double header 484 and 488
-
- Galloping Goose Number 5 at rebuilt Delores depot
ROLLING STOCK:
Next we view some typical rolling stock of the narrow gauge era.
-
- UTLX Tank Car
-
- DRGW Stock Cars
-
- DRGW Gondola
-
- DRGW Box Car 3670
CABOOSES: (Sometimes humorously called “cabeese” by model railroaders.)
And often at the end of the train came the caboose, several examples of which are shown here.
-
- RGS Caboose 0400
-
- RGS Caboose 0404
-
- DRGW Caboose 0575
STRUCTURES:
Here are some existing structures still remaining from the time when the Rio Grande Southern was still operating (last run was in 1952).
-
- The existing classic DRGW (Denver and Rio Grande Western) coaling tower at Chama, New Mexico. These did not exist on the Rio Grande Southern.
-
- Existing water tank at Trout Lake on the old RGS route. Note new residence nearby.
-
- Existing rebuilt wood trestle at Trout Lake.
-
- Existing San Bernardo mill at Matterhorn, south of Ophir.
-
- Existing water tank at Rico, the only structure still standing at that location.
-
- Existing rebuilt mine shaft at Rico.
-
- Standard RGS depot at Dolores, recently rebuilt.
SCENES:
And finally here are three scenes from the general area in which the Rio Grande Southern ran.
-
- Durango and Silverton Railroad High Line
-
- Red Mountain Pass near Ouray, Colorado
-
- Lizard Head – highest point on the RGS
Denver and Rio Grande Western 