Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in Winter

Visitors come to the Chama valley for many reasons, including sailing at Heron Lake and enjoying spectacular year-round natural beauty. During the summer and fall, many visitors also enjoy time travel by riding the historic Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado. But, on December 30th, the railroad is in the midst of its long winter slumber, with deep snow blocking the line in the high mountain country. Even down in Chama, the railyard was covered with a foot of snow on the next-to-last day of 2007. We hope this good start to the winter bodes well for the winter snowpack and next year's lake levels.

Passenger cars at the Chama depot

East side of Chama Depot for the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad,
with no waiting throngs of passengers at this time of year

Two passenger consists (trains minus locomotives) rest in foot-deep snow at the Chama railyard; at left can be seen a rotary snowplow.

Passenger car named for Bill Richardson, New Mexico governor
who is temporarily resident in Iowa.