Producer: Pentrex
Locations: Chama, Cumbres Pass, Antonito…
Timeframe: 1990
Length: 75 minutes
Source: Stan McInturf
A contemporary tour of this historic Narrow Gauge Railroad. Originally, this was a Denver & Rio Grande Western line. Today, still steam powered. Vintage equipment galore!
A single factory pressed DVD. Main Chapter Menu by location. On screen graphics. Map. Preview section. Narrated by Dave Drui.
Pentrex high quality throughout. Excellent Videography. Natural audio. Informative narration.
Cab rides and views from the passenger consist of augmenting the standard trackside scenes. Well, maybe not so standard!
The show begins with steam locomotive preparation at Chama. To some highlights…
Locomotive getting ready at Chama.
Train crossing the Chama River.
A K-36 class engine. Winding through The Narrows, on its trip to Cumbres Pass. This route was saved in the 1950s. It was hauling pipe for natural gas harvesting. The Engineer and Fireman are shown.
Cumbres Pass depot is 10,015 feet in elevation. It stops for water.
Osier is the halfway point on the line. Here is where the usual trains meet from opposite directions. The Antonito move arrives first. The Chama train arrives shortly. Passengers can ride one way or halfway on a roundtrip, which returns at Osier.
Toltec Gorge offers spectacular scenery!
Antonito is the Eastern end of the line. Dual gauge trackage was used here. An idler car had both gauges of couplers to facilitate car movements. Engine House is in the background.
The true distance is 35 miles as the crow flies. Rail mileage is 64 miles from Antonito, Colorado to Chama, New Mexico. Sublette is now an abandoned ghost town. Trains still use this place as a Water Stop.
Windy Point has trackage hugging the mountainside. Fantastic views here.
Train arrives at Chama. End of the line. Trackage to Durango is long abandoned and removed..
A scene for model railroaders. 487 passes the Coaling Tower. Check that caboose.
A doubleheader gives additional power for heavy trains. This move is chased up to Cumbres Pass.
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic
A nicely done visit to this historic Narrow Gauge Railroad. Seems to include the key points. Maybe it’s a bit short at Antonito. However, plenty of Chama. Good action and operational highlights.
Pentrex has a fine show of C&TSRR in the modern era.
A must-see for Narrow Gauge fans!
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 