On Wednesday, July 9th a whopping EIGHT trains traversed the historic Cumbres Pass summit. I wasn't there for each crossing, but I did get pictures and video of each train at various points on the line. I believe this is a record in the history of the C&T. Not since the Rio Grande days have so many trains been operated in one day.

This was the last day of my 4-day trip to Chama, concluding the best vacation of my life (thus far). I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to see this extraordinary event on that absolutely perfect summer day.

Train #1

Extra 315 East

315 Preparing for a

Cumbres Turn

MP 340.5

Rounding Windy Point

Rounding Windy Point, Almost to the Pass

Video Clip(s) of Train #1 - Click here for larger video

Train #2

Colorado-New Mexico Express East

488 Leads the Regular East Over the Pass

488 Meeting 315

Video Clip(s) of Train #2

 Click here for larger video

Train #3

Extra 315 West

315, a rider gondola, and Caboose 0579 descend back to Chama for the second

train and Turn #2

Crossing the original

Highway 17 Pile Trestle

I took a break from chasing to bid farewell to my father and his wife at Cumbres Pass. We parted ways after 4 days together in Chama. They went on to Creede for more vacation and I finished out the day and headed home to Spring (Houston), TX the

following morning.

That's a 15 hour drive!

Arriving back in Chama

315 Entering the East Leg of the Chama Wye

Video Clip(s) of Train #3 - Click here for larger video

Train #4

Colorado-New Mexico Express West

484 Leading the Regular West Bound

Crossing Hwy 17 at Coxo

Video Clip(s) of Train #4

Click here for larger video

Train #5

Extra 315 East

East of Dalton...

...Nearing the 2nd

Hwy 17 Crossing

East of the 2nd Crossing

Heading Towards Cresco

Heading Towards Cresco

Crossing the Original

Highway 17 Pile Trestle just

West of the Summit

Video Clip(s) of Train #5

Click here for larger video

Train #6

Extra 315 West

Preparing to Return to Chama

Highball

Heading Towards Windy Point

Entering Chama Yard

East End of Chama Yard as viewed from the Gramps Oil Dock

Video Clip(s) of Train #6

Click here for larger video

Train #7

Extra 487 East

Heading to the Pass

487 Racing East to

Meet 315 at Lobato

Video Clip(s) of Train #7

Click here for larger video

Train #8

Extra 487 West

Regrettably, in my exhaustion after 4 very fast-paced days, I did not think to hang around and get pictures of Train 7 returning to Chama that evening as the 8th train. When the 315 finally arrived, my mission shifted to finding food and getting some much-needed sleep. I had a 15 hour drive back home the next morning. Carlatte's provided an EXCELLENT enchilada dinner after which I crashed into a food-coma. However, you can rest assured that 487 did, in fact, return that evening concluding one heck of a great day on the legendary Cumbres Pass!