Into the Mystic: One more time!

Arrived in Questa, New Mexico yesterday
Next Up: Santa Fe, Albuquerque, NM then on to Utah

Although we had taken the Narrow Gauge railroad from Durango to Silverton a couple of weeks ago, we decided to do it again in Antonito. First off, because Johnny is a train buff. But also because there really isn't much to do here anyway. So, we went to the train station to get tickets for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

As luck would have it, we ran into Jim, one of the people who restores the old trains, while we were buying our tickets. He offered to give us a behind the scenes tour. It was fabulous!
Here is coach car #256 that is currently being restored.

Jim told us that this car was originally built in 1873, just 8 years after the end of the Civil War. They are currently replacing all of the rotted wood, including the window frames. Then they will replace the windows, too. Then they will begin work on the inside.

At the same time they are working on this car which was an RPO - registered Post Office car 65. It wasn't just a mail car, but an actual PO with Postmaster. The car was original from a few years later then the coach car. They are a little further along with this car - the whole outside is being replaced. Jim's co-worker, Dan, also helped us understand the process on this car.

We then took a look at the tires (top picture) and wheels of the locomotive. They heat up the tires so they will pop off of the wheels and get replaced.

Here is a finished passenger and Post Office car located in Chama. When the refurbishing of these 2 cars in Antonito is complete, these cars will look like the cars in Chama.

When we walked into the building where the locomotive is being restored, the smell reminded me so much of the steel mill! All the metal, welding equipment and oil combined to create that special odor.
The locomotive itself was fascinating. It was originally built in 1883.

I noticed gauge measurements on the body of the locomotive. 1/2" thick plate even back then!

And I also saw a piece of steel that I believe is Inland 4-Way Safety Plate.

They are almost finished refurbishing the coal tender. Jim explained the complex hot riveting process that attaches the plates to the frame.

Just before we hopped on the train, we were able to meet one of the engineers of the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad. This is 21 year old Scott. Today he was assigned to work on the locomotive.

Finally, we hopped on the train.

These guys are getting us ready to go.

So is this guy!

We got a nice introduction of history, operations and geography from the docent and the conductor. The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad operated the 64 mile narrow gauge. It is the same railroad that we took from Durango to Silverton. There was a 108 mile portion that ran from Chama to Durango, but those rails were destroyed in the 1930's.