Steam Train Tour

[Anonymous]

I'm a steam train buff living in Bellingham, WA.  I'd like to put together a road trip with the objective of visiting as many steam excursion trains as possible in a  2 to 4 week period. Has any forum member done a similar trip?  Can anyone offer suggestions? Your help would be appreciated.

Doug

 

[egmurphy]

Two weeks of steam trains, I should be so lucky.  The closest I ever did was to hit The Cumbres & Toltec one week and then the Durango & Silverton about 9 days later (giving the family time to recover in the interim).

Suggestions?  First I'd be inclined to get the latest copy of "Tourist Trains".  This will allow you to see what's available state by state.

http://www.amazon.com/Empire-Railway-Museums-Tourist-Trains/dp/0871162245/sr=8-1/qid=1169587591/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9090020-0636058?ie=UTF8&s=books

I guess I'd be inclined to first head down through Nevada, stopping at the Nevada Northern.  http://nevadanorthernrailway.net/

Then I'd head over to SLC (stopping off at Promontory Summit , of course) and jump on the Heber Creeper. http://www.hebervalleyrr.org/

Then over into Colorado where I'd do the Georgetown Loop  http://www.georgetownlooprr.com/

Then the Durango & Silverton http://www.durangotrain.com/

And finish up at the Cumbres & Toltec.  Actually, I might scoot down into New Mexico and stay at Chama, as I think it's more interesting than the Colorado end of the line in Antonito.  http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/

Then you could hit a few places in california on your way back, like Roaring Camp Railroad

www.roaringcamp.com

Yosemite Mountain

www.ymsprr.com

California Western

www.skunktrain.com

Golden gate railroad Museum

www.ggrm.org

Yolo Shortline

www.ysrr.com

and the Yreka Western Railroad

www.yrekawesternrr.com

Just to name a few.  Actually, sounds like you could fill your two week trip in California.

Regards

Ed

 

 

 

[spikejones52002]

Good advice if you are planing on riding the Cumber & Toltec.

Go to Chama. There is you are by and easly view the yard.

A major PLUS your ride is up the steepest grade. That is where you hear those engines bark.

the southern route is the best and easest highway travel between C&T RR and the DS RR.

Silverton is were the yard is and the major station.