| |
| Chama Train Adventure 2005, NM | |
|
| | Chama Train Adventure 2005, NM | | | |
|
|
Chama Train Adventure 2005, NM
| | |
|
| Scenic Drive | |
|
| | Scenic Drive | | | | |
| | | |
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | I talked a couple of my hiking club compadres into riding on the excellent steam train that runs between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. I reserved a cabin for us at the Elkhorn in Chama for two nights and we drove up separately, meeting there the day before the ride. There are a number of ways you can do the train ride. In our case, we took the morning shuttle bus to Antonito and rode the train back to Chama. In my opinion the best way to do it is to ride the train to Antonito, then bus back to Chama. That way you can enjoy the engine(s) working real hard pulling the train up the steep grade to Cumbres Pass at just over 10,000 feet. After the 2 nights at the cabin we said our goodbyes and I headed south and east to get some wine at a winery I like in Dixon. Then it was over to Las Vegas along scenic NM518, with a stop at the beautiful Salman Ranch Raspberry Farm at La Cueva. Briefly out on the beginning of the Great Plains near Fort Union, then a motel for night 3 in Las Vegas. Next day it was back down I-25 heading home, with a stop for a green chile cheeseburger at the famous Owl Bar at San Antonio (south of Socorro). At Deming on I-10, took a side trip to City of Rocks State Park to camp, before heading home.
I prefer this train ride to the more well-known one from Durango to Silverton (part of the same narrow gauge line originally). It is not as upscale, traversing more diverse terrain on the 64 mile line, as it heads across Cumbres Pass between two sleepy little towns at either terminus. More working class. And Chama is a gem!
Here is a video from summer 2011:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u02s_icm ... Fc0-TGj2CQ
I have enjoyed rides on these rails in 1992, 1993, 1995, 2005, and 2009. Nobody has to twist my arm to go back and do it again!  |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
