Denver & Rio Grande Western

Memorial Day weekend is always a busy one every year for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. This past weekend marked the opening weekend for the railroad for public passenger trains until mid-October. The railroad had two trains operating on both days of Memorial Day weekend. One departing Chama and running to Cumbres and return, and another departing Antonito running to Osier and return. We made our way up to the San Luis Valley to document the trains departing Antonito, as there was special motive power to be used for these trains. On the first day, D&RGW C-18 #315 was in charge of the train to Osier and back, and on the second, D&RG T-12 #168 would take command. Unfortunately, we were not able to document #168, more on that later. #315 was steamed up the previous day and was prepared to make her first public appearance in about two years, as crews recently made the finishing touches to its 1,472-day FRA-mandated rebuild. #315 departed on time and the chase was on. My vehicle had a rough time but managed to get through the very tough roads that followed the railroad. Once we captured the #315 departing Sublette, NM, I noticed my vehicle was leaking motor oil and had at one point struck an object on the road which caused a tear in the oil pan. We were lucky to make it back to Antonito to have things figured out and it's currently being worked on. Despite this, we still had a fantastic time chasing this beautiful locomotive on this amazing railroad and we hope to come back soon. Very special thanks to the railroad crew for helping me out in my hour of need.
Special thanks to ‪@BrodieProductions412‬ for tagging along for the chase.
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:16 - Antonito
4:32 - Antonito Yard Limits
4:56 - Ferguson's Trestle
5:25 - Milepost 293
6:05 - Whiplash
6:31 - Milepost 305
7:24 - Sublette
8:35 - Curmudgeon Curve
9:10 - Osier
11:35 - Sublette
13:13 - Credits
Instagram: / arkansas_locomotive_works
Copyright 2023, Jack Fellure.
Any sort of reproduction or reuse of this footage without permission will have to bring consequences to those who decided to not abide by this request. I take a lot of time money, and effort into these, and I would appreciate it if you respect what I request.

[@jimmyhook4852]

Glad that 315 is finally back to her usual appearance after being disguised as 425 the past few years. ^^

[@ericemmons3040]

Beautiful engine and beautiful whistle. That looks to be a substantial train for such a little engine, but I'm happy to see that she can pull it. . .

[@stephensfarms7165]

Thanks for sharing #315 on opening day. Great show, best RR , in Colorado and great photography too. 👍👍👍

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I have saw their D&RGW 168 at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad back in July 3rd 2022, where it was at Antonito, Colorado. I also saw D&RGW 315’s tender over there too when it was numbered 425.

[@hikiy]

awsome

[@CanalCollector]

i love this video 3000000 .... fantastic & favorite steam locomotive .
I have this loco in scale H0 with wagons. ✌😁🙊

[@BrodieProductions412]

Amazing video

[@aswathyvinod7546]

Yeh tho kaali ho gayi lrkin iski surili awaas nahi gaya❤

[@CTSFanSam]

Glad to see more video from the opening weekend 2023 on the Antonito side. I was behind you, standing on the ballast pile at 305. @CTSFanSam

[@r.gordontrueblood3188]

The passenger cars could use a touch of paint. I'd love to do it for you.

[@Nkp757railfan]

Narrow gauge supremacy!!!

[@baassbooster]

Love it. Period

[@donnylindsay2744]

I with that they would restore locomotive number 318 to operating condition so they could both together because they look exactly alike. Kinda like twins.

[@spagelsmegal]

It was so cool to ride behind her I was the guy who brought the model of her in HOn3 scale (you can see me opening up the box at 2:56 in the video)

[@katerinakittycat3849]

The antonito side of cumbres pass isn't as steep as on the chama side so engines like #315 have an easier time. It's still a climb for sure but no where near as difficult as if you were coming from chama. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic railroad is an amazing line regardless though

[@TenderREZ]

Hey, what kind of camera do you use for the recordings? Someday I might railfan. (without making my ears bleed in front of a K5LA horn lol)

[@TRAINGUY-ey3hj]

When will she return to Durango?

[@RalphTheMalaysianRailfan475]

Shes different now because numberplate has white lines

[@austie24]

And she has a taillight on her tender too

[@RalphTheMalaysianRailfan475]

@@austie24 ikr

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

Am glad that #315 is back

[@Nkp757railfan]

Glad so you can use audio from other peoples videos?

[@Locomotion_Commotion]

When did 315 un-die?

[@TheRealMercDave]

This was the first passenger run after the rebuild.

[@jamesparatore4107]

so why were you unable to film 168

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

If you read the description, that would answer your question.

[@joshuatoro8977]

so are these still a coal burning engine or the baby become a environmental basket Case of a train engine. cuz I'm hoping one day to ride behind a train and still uses coal like they did back in the day and I can feel like I'm actually writing it back in the day. so does anyone know that this railroad still use coal burning engines and is there an opportunity to write with that?