After I arose, had breakfast and worked on stories, I checked out of the Best Western Alamosa Inn and met Bob Riskie and Chris Parker at the car then we drove to the railroad's station to pick up our tickets then went outside to wait for our steam train to La Veta to board.
Rio Grande Scenic InformationIf you are looking for an experience that encompasses the quintessential Alamosa, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad may be perfect for you. This train ride combines the rich history of the west, breathtaking mountain views and small town hospitality that Alamosa is known for. The train travels on the tracks that were laid in 1878 to bring supplies into the San Luis Valley and ship agricultural and mining products out. You can relive the golden age of railroads through miles of unspoiled Colorado territory, all the while learning about the San Luis Valley and surrounding areas from the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s friendly and knowledgeable staff.
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad offers Scenic Excursions throughout the summer, where passengers can ride from Alamosa to La Veta and back, through some of the most beautiful scenery the Rocky Mountains has to offer. You'll have a chance to ride through rugged mountain terrain, all in the comfort of a first-class, air-conditioned passenger car. You will have a bit of time to enjoy all the charming town of La Veta, before boarding the train again for the ride back to Alamosa. On board, you can order from a full menu and enjoy the view from the domed passenger car, or venture to the open car to breathe in the fresh mountain air.
On July 4, 1878, the narrow gauge tracks reached Alamosa. Another train, full of assorted prebuilt buildings, arrived the same day from Garland City. It is rumored the railroad crew had breakfast in Garland City that morning and were served dinner in the same buildings in Alamosa that evening. Within a short period, the Denver & Rio Grande established the town as headquarters for its narrow gauge operations.
The railroad had an extensive construction, repair and shipping facility in Alamosa for many years. It was also the main supply and shipment point for southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, since it handled freight to and from the mining camps. Alamosa also housed the world’s only triple rail switch yard. The population topped 800 by 1880, making Alamosa the largest town in south central Colorado.
By 1890, and for the following 50 years, Alamosa was the nation’s busiest narrow gauge rail hub. It had freight and passenger trains, arriving and departing from all directions - Denver, Durango, Santa Fe, Salida and Creede. Freight trains supplied the valley with ore, lumber, cattle, sheep and farm products. Agricultural and mining products were shipped out.
In 1899, after years of unsuccessful surveying, a route was worked out. The narrow gauge route had 4 percent grades and Mule Shoe Curve. The line was moved seven miles south, with standard gauge rail replacing narrow gauge rail over La Veta Pass and into Alamosa. The new route had no more than a 2.5 percent grade, with the help of a tight horseshoe curve, on the west side. The east side required a 3 percent grade in one section, trestles, and three tunnels. In 1929, one tunnel caught fire and caved in. The railroad cut through the tunnel roof along its length so it was daylighted. Today, these same standard rails are used for the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.
The train for Antonito was first to depart; this train allowed a connection to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and a roundtrip from Antonito to Osier.
Next San Luis and Rio Grande B39-8E 8577, ex. Relco 8577, nee LMX Leasing 8577 built by General Electric in 1998, passed the station on a light engine move.
The Denver and Rio Grande Western Alamosa station built in 1908.
Next Rio Grande Scenic 2-8-0 18, ex. Mount Hood Railroad 18, exx. Grand Canyon Railway 18, exxx. Lake States Steam Association 18, exxxx. Ishpeming Steel 18 1985, exxxxx. Marquette and Huron Mountain Railroad 18 1963, nee Lake Superior and Ishpeming 18 built by American Locomotive Company in 1910, came out and reversed onto its train for the trip to La Veta.
Rio Grande Scenic 18 then pulled the train to the station, which consisted of Rio Grande Scenic 2-8-0 18, full dome RPCX 554 "Summit View", full dome RPCX 551 "Sky View", San Luis and Rio Grande coach RPCX 5067 and San Luis and Rio Grande coach 2. A few minutes later, boarding commenced and I was seated in the "Summit View". The train departed Alamosa at 9:05 AM.
After departure, we crossed the Rio Grande River.
Proceeding across the San Luis Valley heading east for the mountains.
Looking north towards Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Scenes crossing the San Luis Valley.
Smoke blocked the view of Blanca where Chris Parker and I did some ghost railroading of the former San Luis Southern Railroad.
A moment later, I caught where that former operation was based.
Blanca Peak off to the north. At an elevation of 14,345 feet, it is the highest glaciated peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range.
Still making our way across the San Luis Valley, which is the largest Alpine Valley in the world and larger than the state of Connecticut.
Agriculture plays the main part of the San Luis Valley economy.
A city park with an airplane on display in Fort Garland.
A few miles east of Fort Garland, we rounded the first of many curves on the climb to Fir, the summit of La Veta Pass.
More curves as we move closer to the mountains.
The greater the curve, the more of the steam engine one can see.
The steam engine made unique sounds as it crossed the upper reaches of the valley.
The little stream that we follow into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The train was twisting and turning to gain elevation in its climb towards the summit.
Vegetation as we passed through Wagon Creek Junction and left most of the photographers behind on the highway.
Now the grade started and our engine would be pulling hard to get up and over the pass.
Every curve provides a good view of our hard-working steam engine.
Tank cars were in the siding at Sierra.
Climbing the grade took us deeper into the mountains.
A look back at Mount Mestas and Mount Blanca.
Looking foward as we continue our ascent.
The view to our rear becomes more beautiful by the second.
The engine sounded great as it worked up the grade.
The view behind increases in beauty.
My first time riding behind Rio Grande Scenic 18 certainly did not disappoint.
The view behind was enjoyed.
Our steam engine tackling the gradient of the route.
Mount Mestas just watched our climb.
Working up the grade.
Our last look at Mount Mestas.
A hard-working steam engine, dome cars, a beautiful summer's day and the Colorado scenery - what could be better?
Our train nearing Fir.
Ahead our of train, the upper level at Fir is visible.
A former turning track.
Rounding the Mule Shoe Loop horseshoe curve at Milepost 206.5.
This is the stage for the High Altitude Concert Series which special trains bring concertgoers to the show.
Looking down the former turning track.
Taking the final turn into Fir, which has a siding.
In the siding, we met the train from La Veta and we had a twenty-minute layover, during which one could detrain.
Our train waits at Fir.
Rio Grande Scenic 2-8-0 18.
The Antonio train. I reboarded and since the steam engine would not be working downgrade, would just relax on the return trip.
The view as I boarded.
We drifted down the grade to La Veta then I called Let's Talk Trains, the Internet Radio Show, and talked with them just as I was getting off in La Veta for lunch.
The former Denver and Rio Grande Western station built in 1876.
Our train in La Veta.
The three of us walked down the road to Sammie's Restaurant for lunch during our two-hour layover.
