Chama Hollyhocks

I love hollyhocks and they can be found all over the world.  I just keep forgetting to plant some in my yard.  So I take lots of pictures.  I found these in the railyard at Chama, New Mexico.  They've planted a nice garden just outside the ticket office with a few benches so everyone can enjoy the beauty of the flowers.

"Chama Hollyhocks"      © Kathy Dunham 2010

Inside the Cab

I love trains.  What kid doesn't?  Guess I'll never grow up.  I remember the train around the tree at Christmas time.  Well, I'm a big kid now and still love the sound of the whistle and the clickity clack of the wheels on the rails.  This summer I took a ride on the Cumbres - Toltec Railroad.  It's the highest, longest narrow gauge steam railroad in the U.S.   It runs from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado.  Beautiful unspoiled country.  Before leaving several of us passengers were talking with the engineer and he invited us into the cab.  Oh boy!!!  What a treat.  I have never been close to seeing what it looks like inside the cab.  All those dials and gauges and the hot fire box loaded with coal to keep this big baby moving.  What a thrill.

"Inside the Cab"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

The 'Ol Coal Tender

The railyard in Chama, New Mexico is filled with old narrow gauge rail cars.  This coal tender with it's "Dog House" on top for the front brakeman, is sitting patiently waiting to be called back into service. 

"The 'Ol Coal Tender"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Blowing out the Tank

The Cumbres Toltec Scenic R.R. runs between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado.  The train criss crosses back and forth, in and out of the two states 10 times. During the trip, the engineer blows out the water from the bottom of the tank to clean out the sand and dirt particles that accumulate.  It's quite a blast of water.

"Blowing out the Tank"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

"Old 492"

The Cumbre Toltec Railroad is a historical treasure that runs between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. It's the highest narrow guage railroad still operating in the country. This old engine, #492, is no longer in service and sits in the railyard in Chama. It's a K-37 type engine with a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement. It's boiler was made for a standard gauge locomotive in 1902 but was put onto a new narrow gauge frame in 1928. But alas, it sits rusting in the railyard

"Old 492"    © Kathy Dunham 2010