The first trip to Chama

This is a re-posting of a Facebook entry on March 20, 2016
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Cumbres Pass - Memorial Day 2015

It was about this time last year that we were planning our trip west. Georgia was to take her annual visit with her sister in Las Vegas later than usual, in May. I drove, alone, to La Junta, Colorado to pick-her up on the way home. From there we drove west to Chama to ride the Cumbres and Toltec for the first time.

The first 10 years together we tried to drive every abandoned narrow gauge railroad in Colorado. In the process we drove the route of the Rio Grande Southern which operated in the San Juan Mountains of far southwestern Colorado. On our way home we decided to pick-up another railroad pass located a hundred miles or so from Durango, where we rode The Silverton for the first time, it was then operated by the D&RGW. This was 1968.

We knew the drive to the next pass would be pretty straight forward going 50 miles or so through the hills to Pagosa Springs, Colorado and then south another 50 miles into New Mexico.

Then we saw it. A perfectly preserved narrow gauge railroad yard full of freight and Maintenance of Way equipment. We astounded to see two rotary snow plows in seeming perfect condition. We drove on over the Pass and marveled at structures, recently abandoned, but still also in near perfect condition.

The line had been approved for abandonment and was scheduled for demolition and only the effort of a dedicated group of historical activists managed to motivate the States of New Mexico and Colorado to form a unique commission to save the most important 64 miles of the abandoned D&RG San Juan Extension.

Last year in May we returned to Chama for the second time and have been given the unique opportunity to relive a past we dreamed of but never quite achieved. Together we will drive the Rockies as we did nearly 50 years ago, just the two of us. This time year we will linger and create new memories together.

The picture was taken on Memorial Day 2015 - our first ride on the D&RG San Juan Extension National Historic Landmark - The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.