I started as a Nightwatchman almost 18 years and enjoyed my time on the Cumbres & Toltec, I spent a few month's away this winter and qualified as a Conductor on a Class 2 railroad and got a chance to put my hands on the throttle over La Veta Pass.

Photography has been a Passion of mine for about 10 years now and feel it is a Great way to capture what will be a new History of Steam railroading in Our Country. It is my opinion that every single moment of our lives should be captured in whatever media we have at our disposal.. We need to capture our lives and the fields we chose to work in, the few books that do exist of the History of Steam railroading are cherished, but there is so much that was lost. I truly hope that my Photographic Journal of what we are doing now will help a new Generation far in the Future develop a Love for a Smokey, Smelly, Noisy Machine called a Railroad Locomotive... Thanks to the recent Donation by a wonderful guy named Bill Noe, I know have a Digital Camera and this addition allows me to just shoot picture's like crazy and share them with you...

I do enjoy my Job, it can at times be extremely difficult and tiring.. there are times when I just want to go home, but I am truly Lucky to experience what I have. There is no greater thrill than to sit in the Cab of a Steam Locomotive and just ride the Rails. At times, I must admit I am just as thrilled and overjoyed to be riding the Rails as our Passengers. I do Love my Job... Where else could I be a Full-time Railroader with a full schedule.. putting in a lot of miles.. ON STEAM.

I do enjoy life away from the Train even though it seems like we live at the Railroad Yard. I collect Baseball caps and Fire Department Hats... and have a collection numbering close to 450. I honestly have always wanted to be a Fireman, but I know in my Heart I will now never leave the Rails. I do rest by Gardening, I have built what I consider my little getaway private Garden in my Parents Backyard. The Birds and cutting the lawn and trimming the Tree's are what calms me completely. I also love Music although I can't play anything but the Radio and the Locomotive Whistle.  And, I do have a love for Vintage Aircraft and spend a lot time at Air Shows. I have now finished my first year as a crew member for a Balloon name "Viento Encantado" Piloted and owned by Clarke O'Bryne of Alburquerque, New Mexico and have come to love the thrill of flying balloons.

I am at times a bit Shy and do admit it can be a little hard sometimes for me to jump into a big Crowd, but I do love to talk and would welcome anybody who wanted to chat, I love to share my experiences of Steam Railroading..

I am glad I have been given this Web-site, I have always wished and dreamed of sharing my Photography. The complicated wired and electrical mess known as the Internet has been a blessing to me, I can so freely share my photographs with the world. I have seen so much and I hope now that I can share it widely. I look forward to the possibility of working both Passenger trains over La Veta and Cumbres Passes. I will also do my best to share photographs of passenger trains rolling around the San Luis Valley between Alamosa and Antonito and over La Veta Pass. Best Wishes to you all..

   Carlos J. Llamas