Opening Day 2024! Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad!

From the end of October to the end of May, the yard of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is mostly a cold, quiet place. By Memorial Day weekend, the snow has melted, the air is warmer, and the trees have the rich green of new leaves. Behind the doors of the engine house, workers are restoring Denver & Rio Grande Western 492 back to service, but it will be several more years before that’s finished. Work has been completed on 489’s running gear and will be back in service this year. The old reliable locomotives from 2023, 484 and 488, are ready for another season.
As the end of spring nears, the yard comes alive with locomotives being tested, equipment being repositioned between Chama and Antonito, and cars being cleaned for the first passengers of the year.
As we pass down the tracks with stored cars, we hear the whistle of a locomotive at the other end of the yard. 488 has backed out of the engine house and moves through the north end of the yard and back toward the engine house.
484 is simmering in the warm afternoon, showing off its new paint job.
Opening Day ceremonies always begin with the raising of the flag by the local Boy Scout troop, the National Anthem is sung, and local dignitaries speak about the importance of the Cumbres & Toltec. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Ed Beaudette, the new general manager of the railroad. Ed has been associated with the Cumbres & Toltec in many capacities for years and his return has been greeted with many positive comments.
Before the engine is coupled to its train, it visits the ash pit where coal ashes are dumped. A quick trip down the tracks to the water tower follows so that the tender, which holds 5000 gallons, can be topped off for the climb up Cumbres Pass.
The Cumbres & Toltec have one functioning oil burner and another is almost complete, but the rest of the fleet burn coal. After performing a blowdown to remove sediment from the boiler, 484 backs down the track and is switched to the siding where a front end loader will dump coal into the tender. The tender will hold over 9 tons of coal and half of that will be shoveled into the firebox by the fireman on the trip to Antonito. The coal tipple at Chama is functional but it’s much easier to use a front end loader to fill the tender.
While the locomotive is being fueled, 488 and 489 are positioned for a photo lineup to celebrate the workers who have spent the winter getting all the locomotives ready for the season.
At 10AM, it’s time to head out to Antonito!
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