Trip to Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

[MontRailLink]

I'm starting to plan a trip to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic railroad for sometime in July or August (I live in Virginia).  Does anyone have any recommendations on places to stay and eat in the Chama, NM area?

Thanks.

John

[mudchicken]

Alamosa if you want a chain motel, otherwise try the Branding Iron....unless you are into B&B's. (Parlor Car B&B)..............

[MidlandPacific]

Check with Jay, who runs the Goat - he may have something good and up-to-date.  Alamosa's a long drive from Chama in the morning (as is Antonito).

[JSGreen]

If you are into camping, there is a nice campground at the north end of Chama.  Train goes right by it!  There are lots of fishing camps/cabins along the Chama RIver south of town, also, but they vary greatly in quality. 

Last time I was there, (which has been a couple of years!) you could ride the train Chama -> Antinoto and bus back, or vice versa.  Riding out of Chama, however, is considered by some the best deal because of the grade...if the train is long enough they double head the steam on the way up, and they used to have to break the double head at one specific trestile because of weight restrictions.

As a town, Chama has much more charm than Antinoto.  I'd stay on that side...

You might try Chama.com... 

 

[CopCarSS]

If you are into camping, there is a nice campground at the north end of Chama.  Train goes right by it!  There are lots of fishing camps/cabins along the Chama RIver south of town, also, but they vary greatly in quality. 

If you're into camping, and cheap (like me) there are some undeveloped, free campsites at Cumbres Pass (right around some of the abandoned buildings up there). There's also a more developed camp ground near there, but it's not as much fun (there's a nice waterfall there, though).

On one trip down there, I got a real bonus. Around midnight on that trip, I was awakened by the sound of a steam locomotive. Lo and behold! 463 was on the point of a work train taking on water at Cumbres Pass. Running through the "ghost town" of Cumbres dressed in my pj's and watching a mudhen in the middle of the night has to be one of my top railfanning experiences ever!

I just hope I get to see 463 running again someday...

[JSGreen]

A couple of times each summer, around the time of the full moon, they run a "Moonlight" special.   Out in the mountains with no lights except from the firebox and headlight, you can see a gazillion stars.  Wonderful experience!

The trip we took left Chama in daylight, stopped for dinner at Ozier, (the normal lunch stop), then returned as the sun was setting.  The moon was actually so late in rising, we would not have seen it if the train hadn't blown an air hose, and spent a couple of hours fixing it!  Thanks to a parted air hose, The moon was pretty high as we steamed back into Chama.... 

[Geezer Jim]

Hope you enjoyed your trip on the CTSRR.  We just made a run up there.  We stayed in Antonito in the Narrow Gauge Motel (1 star only).  The first day we rode behind 488 from Antonito to Chama and took the bus back.  We changed trains at Osier and ended up right behind the tender on the trip down into Chama. We will ride from Chama to Antonito next time.  I didn't know they double headed out of Chama to Cumbres until I talked the fellow running the speeder that followed us.  After hearing that we decided to go over to Chama on the second morning.  We drove over to Chama and then chased the double header(488 and 484) to Cumbres where they dropped the helper.  We took about 800 digital pictures on the trip and are still sorting through them.  Its was a great trip.

[rrnut282]

I enjoyed C&TS more than D&S because the "experience" seemed more geniune.  Labato ? trestle is on a 4% grade, IIRC, and only one locomotive at a time can cross.  It was thrilling to hear the one Mudhen (no relation to a certain poster on this forum) dig in and pull our train across to re-join the helper after slipping a few times.  To add just the right touch of authenticity, the coaches behind us picked a switch and derailed at the end of the Chama Yard.  We had to walk the last 1/4 mile to the station, just like the "good ole days."

Take plenty of film, video tape, memory cards, etc.  You will use them up on the trains, if not the scenery.  They didn't sell any photo media at Osier or on the train when I went and was kicking myself all the way back because I left a couple of rolls in the car. ( I told myself there's no-way I'll take that many photos.)  Trust me, you will take more than you think.

Get there about two hours early.  When I went, passengers were allowed to walk through the yard while the crew was preparing the consist if they stayed out of the way.  I got to kick the tires of a rotary snowplow, among other really cool sights.