Denver and Rio Grande 168 Opens the Cumbres and Toltec!

We venture northward to the wilds of Southern Colorado… or since we came a back way, did we come south to the frontier of Northern New Mexico? Anyways, we’re at the opening weekend of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad as it kicks off its 2023 season. While the Chama side feature the big K-36's pulling Cumbres Turns both days of The Weeknd, the little engines took over the Antonito ones to Osier. The first day featured Denver and Rio Grande Western 315 pulling the consist fresh off its 1472 day (15 year) inspection... For more of this day, be sure to check out ‪@YardLimit‬ for his take (and with better narration than here).
We'll end up catching the Sunday which features T-12 # 168 pulling the consist and we catch it near Hangman's Trestle while it runs under the background of Mount Blanca, Colorado's 4th highest 14'er (fourteener). This peak dominates the San Luis Valley which Antonito anchors the south section. Blanca is the focal point of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southern most range of the Rocky Mountains (you can actually see Great Sand Dunes National Park from the train, so take that Durango & Silverton, I know you can't see a NPS managed site from The Silverton).
We'll jump ahead past Lava and to the station at Big Horn that straddles the Colorado/New Mexico border adjoining the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Then we'll catch the train arriving and departing the town of Sublette and one of the last places to grab water before Osier.
So lets move at restricted speed as we're delayed in block making our way towards that next distant signal and enjoy this short of the 168 on a beautiful spring day... Is it Coasters on the Surfline? No, and the long haired guy at the end isn't Hyce (but there's an easter egg somewhere in the frame).

[@jacksalvin364]

#168 was used in both freight and passenger service across the Rio Grande system until retired in 1938.

[@CoreytheATSFConnie]

4:53 some odd people say that Her whistle was used for Duncan in TTTE, even though she wasnt in operation in 1994 when he debut, perhaps her whistle was put on another engine

[@Kennedywh]

Thanks, great video.

[@handyman5455]

I am glad this wasn’t converted to oil fired I saw this engine out front of the train depot restaurant in the springs several times

[@Big_Diehl]

I would not be surprised though, if it does get converted… The market forces out west are just making it harder and harder to find coal.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Quite cool. My favorite narrow gauge D&RGW steam locomotive that is at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Denver & Rio Grande Western 168 (Built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1883).

[@YardLimit]

That was nice! The ending was funny and a good idea.

[@paulsadowski7504]

I am glad you got out to get some footage of it running. I love seeing 168 in action. Thanks for posting.

[@RailwayProductions]

Thanks for allowing some of us to foam from afar. It sure does look like the “isolated East End” is a thing of the past. There are as many people jamming into Sublette as one would expect at Cumbres!

[@Big_Diehl]

Sometimes it still feels pretty isolated… Aside from Sam at big Horn, it was only us and one railroad employees there. I know some people have complained about the road into big Horn being roughest road they’d ever seen… But when they told me that I had just come in to there from the lava!

[@RailwayProductions]

I drove from Antonito all the way through to Big Horn once in a rented Ford explore. It was interesting to say the least.

[@slanderedstone]

168 always makes for beautiful film! Another home run of a video!

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

I can’t help but notice so far this year all of the coal fired steam engines on the Cumbres and Toltec have yet to receive their cinder traps on their smokestacks I’m wondering if the weather is still cold and wet in the Colorado New Mexico high hills

[@Big_Diehl]

There were some modifications to the insides of the smoke boxes that allowed them to go without the cinder traps… Unfortunately, looking on the NGDF somehow that rationale has changed and as of this week they are back on the big K’s and even the mudhen

[@Conductordave]

Yes. We have been forced to put the spark arrestors back on… 🙄

[@ehadder]

The dust clouds from the chasers make for an interesting effect 😂

[@Big_Diehl]

Yes… “Interesting”…

[@ken.mp372]

That's a nice "short" Big Guy (except for the 'dusting' in the beginnin....) -- Ain't that li'l T-12 a purty thang!? 'Vaporo In Fraternitate!' Hey, is you still Diehl'ing on the ol' slamtrak Chief?? Best regards from 'K' here in CO (a Retarred slamtraker, you may remember....). Odd stuff for me this summer, prob'ly will trek to C&TS environs after Labor Day..... maybe I'll see you wanderin' about.....

[@Big_Diehl]

I’ll be floating around some time this season!

[@markthomas6436]

Very enjoyable video. While we all enjoy the "Big Mikes", it's great to see the smaller hogs doing their part.