The daily train from Antonito to Chama heads west toward Tanglefoot Curve in a heavy, wet, snow. Taking this shot was a real challenge because you only have a few seconds before the camera lens....and everything else....is soaked! One look at the late September weather near Cumbres Pass, and even a casual observer can understand why the operating season for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad ends in mid-October. The snows come early at 10,000 MSL and the plow pilots seen on some of the locomotives quickly become more than just photo props. Fortunately, this little storm only lasted a couple of hours and the resulting snow cover was mostly gone by the next day.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.