Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In late August 1925, the Denver & Rio Grande Western took delivery of 10 of the largest and most powerful locomotives ever built for the narrow gauge. Designated K-36 and numbered 480-489, these heavy 2-8-2s would more then prove their worth hauling heavy freight trains up and over the Rocky Mountains. Remarkably, out of the 10 built, 9 survive today, 8 of which are in operation on their home rails with the Cumbres & Toltec and Durango & Silverton Railroads. To celebrate the 100th Birthdays of these legendary engines, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad hosted a five-day party based at their Chama, New Mexico yard. In addition to the daily passenger train, each of their three currently operating K-36s would take turns leading freight trains up and over the 10,015ft Cumbres Pass, just as they have for a century now. The event also featured night photo sessions, whistle blows, and birthday cakes. The centerpiece was a wonderful three-day photo charter organized by Dak Dillon Photography, featuring historically accurate helper operations over the entire 64-mile railroad from Chama to Antonito, Colorado. This was my first visit to the C&TS and I must say that America's longest and highest heritage railway certainly lives up the hype and I can't wait for my next visit.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
0:00 Sunset with 483. 483 led the last freight train over the Rio Grande narrow gauge and was the first loco in-service when the Cumbres & Toltec opened. It was retired in 1977.
1:40 Riding aboard a freight train behind 487 from Chama to Cumbres Pass.
13:13 488 arrives with the passenger train and leads the Parade of Steam with 487 and 484.
15:21 484, 487, and 488 gathered together for a nighttime photo shoot in Chama yard.
17:43 488 leads two 'Cumbres Turns' with 484 as rear helper. Due to the steep 4% grade to Cumbres, Eastbound trains would be cut apart at Chama and taken up the hill in chunks, then reassembled at the pass.
43:12 488's cab is opened to let visitors take turns blowing the whistle, followed by a birthday cake for the locomotive.
44:03 488 poses by the depot for a second night photo shoot and then heads to the ashpit.
45:52 484 leads the completed freight train from Cumbres to Antonito.
1:04:54 Departing Antonito before sunrise, 488 leads the freight train back to Cumbres with 484 cut in as a mid-train helper.
1:31:02 While the freight train returns to Chama in two sections, 487 brings the passenger train into Antonito, bring to an end an incredible few days of Rocky Mountain railroading.
In late August 1925, the Denver & Rio Grande Western took delivery of 10 of the largest and most powerful locomotives ever built for the narrow gauge. Designated K-36 and numbered 480-489, these heavy 2-8-2s would more then prove their worth hauling heavy freight trains up and over the Rocky Mountains. Remarkably, out of the 10 built, 9 survive today, 8 of which are in operation on their home rails with the Cumbres & Toltec and Durango & Silverton Railroads. To celebrate the 100th Birthdays of these legendary engines, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad hosted a five-day party based at their Chama, New Mexico yard. In addition to the daily passenger train, each of their three currently operating K-36s would take turns leading freight trains up and over the 10,015ft Cumbres Pass, just as they have for a century now. The event also featured night photo sessions, whistle blows, and birthday cakes. The centerpiece was a wonderful three-day photo charter organized by Dak Dillon Photography, featuring historically accurate helper operations over the entire 64-mile railroad from Chama to Antonito, Colorado. This was my first visit to the C&TS and I must say that America's longest and highest heritage railway certainly lives up the hype and I can't wait for my next visit.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
0:00 Sunset with 483. 483 led the last freight train over the Rio Grande narrow gauge and was the first loco in-service when the Cumbres & Toltec opened. It was retired in 1977.
1:40 Riding aboard a freight train behind 487 from Chama to Cumbres Pass.
13:13 488 arrives with the passenger train and leads the Parade of Steam with 487 and 484.
15:21 484, 487, and 488 gathered together for a nighttime photo shoot in Chama yard.
17:43 488 leads two 'Cumbres Turns' with 484 as rear helper. Due to the steep 4% grade to Cumbres, Eastbound trains would be cut apart at Chama and taken up the hill in chunks, then reassembled at the pass.
43:12 488's cab is opened to let visitors take turns blowing the whistle, followed by a birthday cake for the locomotive.
44:03 488 poses by the depot for a second night photo shoot and then heads to the ashpit.
45:52 484 leads the completed freight train from Cumbres to Antonito.
1:04:54 Departing Antonito before sunrise, 488 leads the freight train back to Cumbres with 484 cut in as a mid-train helper.
1:31:02 While the freight train returns to Chama in two sections, 487 brings the passenger train into Antonito, bring to an end an incredible few days of Rocky Mountain railroading.
