We are heading up the grade toward Osier.
Taking the curves on the way to Osier.
Looking down at the Los Pinos River.
Curving toward Osier. It was announced that we would remain on our own trainset all the way through to Chama. The reason for this was the railroad felt that the Mudhen K27 463 could not handle the train down the four percent grade from Cumbres Pass to Chama. At first, I felt that this was a loss. But talking with Elizabeth, it would be a win because she would now be able to ride behind two different steam engines on the Cumbres and Toltec. So when the train gets to Osier, our engine will cut off and go around the balloon track after the engine from Chama did the same thing. This would get both trains back to their starting points safely.
The Chama engine is already going around the balloon track at Osier.
Our engine pulling up to the switch at the balloon track.
Our engine starts around the balloon track.
Our new engine, K36 484, built by Baldwin in 1925 as Denver and Rio Grande Western 484, is reversing onto our train.
The Mudhen continues to reverse around the balloon track.
K36 484 reverses onto our train.
The Mudhen continues to reverse around the balloon track.
The engine has coupled up to our train.
The Mudhen disappears around the balloon track hill.
Our train, now led by 484, makes its way the short distance to Osier.
Our train is at the East Osier switch.
Our train runs down the siding at Osier.
One last view of Mudhen 463. We then arrived at Osier and detrained. You must go into the proper door to get the buffet meal you ordered at the start of the train ride. We went to the correct doors to get my turkey lunch, mashed potatoes, rolls and chocolate cake for dessert and lemonade.
After lunch, the scene at Osier.
The rear of the train to Antonito.
It was now time for our train to leave Osier.
The Osier water tower.
Our train on the move heading up the grade.
The section house at Osier.
An emergency coal loading facility at Osier.
Taking the next loop.
Looking back toward Osier.
The engine working hard up the grade.
Looking back at Osier.
The Antonito-bound train heading off in the distance.
Our train climbing above the Los Pinos River.
The Antonito-bound train heading for the Toltec Gorge.
Ranch houses in the Los Pinos River valley.
The train goes around a slide zone.
Looking across the Los Pinos River valley.
The U-shaped valley created by glaciers.
The train heading for the Cascade Trestle.
Views of the Los Pinos River valley.
Crossing the Cascade Trestle, the highest bridge on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic, 137 feet above Cascade Creek.
The train is heading for the Los Pinos valley.
Trees in the Los Pinos valley.
Still heading through the Los Pinos Tank.
The train went by the Long Creek sign.
Looking back to where we had been.
Looking up where Los Pinos River meets Los Pinos Creek.
Our train passes some ties.
Turning into the Los Pinos River valley.
Looking back to where we had come from.
Heading into the Los Pinos River valley.
Interesting rock formations along our route.
Another communication box along our route.
Heading east up the Los Pinos River.
The Los Pinos water tank across the valley.
Still climbing the Los Pinos River valley.
A cow by the Los Pinos River.
The Los Pinos water tank.
The Los Pinos station sign.
We get ever closer to the Los Pinos water tank.
Taking the curve at Los Pinos including a blowdown.
Stopping to take on water at Los Pinos.
The Los Pinos water tank.
Climbing the grade.
Leaving the Los Pinos water tank behind.
The lake in the Los Pinos valley.
Cows in the Los Pinos River valley.
Climbing into the Los Pinos valley.
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