more Chama Choo Choo photos

Old-time rotary snowplows wait to see if this will be the winter that piles up enough snow to put them to work next spring when it's time to clear the line at the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad along the Colorado and New Mexico border.

Tenders supply coal and water to fuel the locomotives.
Here is the tender for the 484 engine.

Critical to any working railroad is the equipment that is used to maintain the line and service the rolling stock. Maintaining the line is a big challenge for a high-altitude mountain railroad. Deep snow drifts can pile up during the winter along the rugged border of Colorado and New Mexico. During spring, railroad crews must clear the line before the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad can carry visitors up into the mountains between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado.

Portion of consist for work train

Profile of coal tipple

Two boxcars stopped in the woods on a snowy evening.
Their work done for the season, they rested on the less traveled road.

Rear view of section house and peek through branches at water tank