The Historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad was originally constructed in 1880 as part of the Rio Grande's narrow gauge San Juan Extension, which served the silver mining district of the San Juan mountains in southwestern Colorado. Unlike most American railways, it was built to a gauge of 3 feet between the rails, rather than the standard 4 feet, 8-1/2 inches that became common throughout the United States. This narrow gauge design, while limiting the ability to interchange cars with other railroads, was perfectly suited to the mountainous terrain.
In 1890, the Rio Grande began converting its tracks to standard gauge to address the interchange limitations. However, the repeal of the Sherman Act in 1893 devastated the silver mining industry, causing traffic over the San Juan Extension to decline significantly. This reduced traffic no longer justified the expense of converting to standard gauge, leaving the railroad largely unchanged for decades. The 1920s saw the last major upgrades to the line's equipment and infrastructure before it entered a long period of stagnation.
A post-World War II natural gas boom briefly revitalized the line, bringing a welcome period of prosperity. Unfortunately, operations dwindled dramatically in the 1960s, and in 1969, the Interstate Commerce Commission granted the Rio Grande's request to abandon its remaining narrow gauge main line trackage. This decision marked the end of an era, closing the chapter on the last use of steam locomotives in general freight service in the United States.
While most of the abandoned track was quickly dismantled, a dedicated group of railway preservationists and local civic leaders worked tirelessly to save the most scenic portion of the line. Their efforts paid off when, in 1970, the states of Colorado and New Mexico jointly purchased the track and line-side structures from Antonito to Chama for $547,120. This purchase included nine steam locomotives, over 130 freight and work cars, and the valuable Chama yard and maintenance facility. By 1971, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad was proudly welcoming its first tourists.
Today, the C&TS is recognized by "USA Today 10Best" readers as the best train ride in North America and the top attraction in both New Mexico and Colorado. This magnificent railway traverses 64 miles between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO, crossing the state borders 11 times as it climbs over the impressive 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass. In recognition of its historical significance, the railroad was awarded National Historic Landmark Designation in 2012, an honor it continues to uphold with pride.
When you visit, you'll be accompanied by knowledgeable volunteer docents who share fascinating stories about the history, legends, and lore of the region and the railroad. We encourage you to take the self-guided tours of our historic railroad yards—maps and information about landmarks, trestles, and tunnels are available in our "How to Get Here" section.
The railroad is currently operated for Colorado and New Mexico by the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission, an interstate agency authorized by Congress in 1974. This Commission consists of four members—two from each state—appointed by their respective governors. Daily operations and capital improvement projects are managed by Cumbres Toltec Operating, a non-profit LLC.
Train enthusiasts will be delighted by our extensive collection of rolling stock, which can be viewed at both the Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado rail yards. We're particularly proud of our five operating coal-fired, steam-powered narrow gauge locomotives: #484, #487, #488, #489, and #463. Locomotive #489 rejoined our fleet in 2008 after extensive reconditioning, while #463 returned to operation in 2013. Visitors can also see Locomotive #483 on display at the Chama station, though it is not currently operational.
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