By Joy Meadows
One of the most anticipated historic railroad events of the year will take place August 21-29, 2021, when the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad hosts the “19th Century Victorian Iron Horse Roundup.” In celebration of the scenic railroad’s 50th anniversary, there will be four 1880’s locomotives under steam simultaneously. All week long, the collection of historic steam locomotives from Colorado and Nevada will steam 64-miles over the Rocky Mountains pulling trains of historic passenger and freight cars. While train rides behind the “Iron Horses” are sold out for this celebration, you can still book a ride on the regularly scheduled daily Cumbres & Toltec departures and see these “Iron Horses” in action. There are plenty of free activities, including photo opportunities in the historic rail yards of Antonito, CO and Chama, NM, railyard tours, and equipment demonstrations.
“The Iron Horse Roundup will feature two 1875 steam locomotives from Nevada, the Eureka and the Glenbrook, and they will be joined by our own recently restored 1883 engine No. 168 and engine No. 425 (315). All four steam locomotives will pull historic consists of passenger and freight cars, creating living images that have not been seen on this planet for 140 years,” said Scott Gibbs, interim CEO of the C&TSRR.
“The railroad tracks they are traveling on were laid in 1880, and the surrounding mountain, river canyon and high plains scenery they will be traveling through is unchanged, so people will be able to travel back in time to see transportation exactly the way it was a century and more ago,” he added.
And while rides aboard the historic Iron Horses are sold out, rail fans and visitors are encouraged to attend and check out the Iron Horses and enjoy many free opportunities to participate in this historic event as we celebrate 50 years of passenger service.
Free Events Open to the Public at the Iron Horse Roundup:
Chama Yard Events, August 21-29, 2021
Located in Chama, NM, the historic railyard is 45 minutes from Pagosa Springs, CO. Regularly scheduled steam trains depart from here daily offering a variety of ticket options including roundtrip full day excursions with a hot lunch in Osier Station, and full-day trips to Antonito, CO with a return by motorcoach.
YARD TOURS: Free Tours of the historic railyard with the opportunity to see locomotives, cabooses, cook cars and other historic rail equipment: 9am-noon; 1-4:30pm daily.
DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS: Chama yard project restoration and conversion of P-Box (passenger box) to rider box car: 9am-noon; 1-4:30pm daily.
EQUIPMENT DISPLAYS: It will be possible to tour the yard to see equipment including the Rotary Snow Plow, Wheel & Tie car, Jordan Spreader, flanger, oil docks, coal tipple, sand house, log bunkhouse, wool warehouse, and historic Chama station from 9 am-4:30 pm daily.
FOUR ENGINE LINEUP: Will take place at 4pm on Saturday, August 28
NIGHT PHOTO SHOOT OF EUREKA AND GLENBROOK: Saturday, August 28 from 7:45-9:15pm
NIGHT PHOTO SHOOT OF No. 168 & 425: Sunday, August 29 from 8-9:30pm
Antonito Yard Events, August 21-27, 2021
Located in Antonito, CO, the railyard is 30 minutes from Alamosa, CO and one hour from Taos, NM. Regularly scheduled steam trains depart daily offering a variety of ticket options including roundtrip full day excursions with a hot lunch in Osier Station and full-day trips to Chama, NM with a return by motorcoach.
YARD TOURS: Free Tours of the historic rail yard and a rail car open house with the opportunity to see locomotives, cabooses, cook cars and other historic rail equipment, 9am-noon; 1-4:30pm daily.
LOCOMOTIVE LINEUP: Monday, August 23, 9am-5pm, all locomotives including the visiting Eureka and Glenbrook will be lined up for photos in front of the engine house. Engines not in use will be on display on all other days.
MONDAY NIGHT PHOTO SESSION: Monday, August 23, 8-9:30pm. A night photo session in front of the engine house with all locomotives with headlights on low.
PILE DRIVER & DERRICK OPERATION DEMONSTRATIONS: Pile Drivers (which drive poles into the earth for trestle support) and derricks (which help lift cars and rail equipment) are essential to railroad operations. Demonstrations of pile driving will be held at 10:30am on August 23, and 26, and at 2pm on August 25; demonstrations of derrick operations will be held at 2pm on August 23 and 26, and at 2pm August 25.
For more information, visit www.cumbrestoltec.com.