Narrow Gauge Rendezvous new thread

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - Narrow Gauge Rendezvous

26-28 August 2016
Join the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the Durango Railroad Historical Society, the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores, the Colorado Railroad Museum and the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad for a unique 3 day event on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

This unique event will feature C-18 #315, K-27 #463, Galloping Goose #5 and Galloping Goose #7. This will be the first time ever at the C&TS for Goose #7, (it has the original Pierce Arrow body)! John West will be working with the railroad to pick photo locations and will be on board to make any last minute adjustments.

Day 1 – Friday, 26 August:
D&RGW #315 will pull a photo freight from Chama to Osier and returns to Cumbres Pass. RGS “Geese” #5 and #7 run from Antonito to Cumbres. At Osier, the two Geese and #315 will travel together to Cumbres. All passengers will get all of the runbys on this portion of the trip. Passengers on the Geese will be encouraged to rotate, so everyone gets a chance to ride on both of these unique machines.
After arrival at Cumbres, passengers will be bussed to Chama in time for the dinner train. D&RGW #463 hauls a dinner passenger train to Cumbres in the late afternoon. After dinner there is a night photo session open to all passengers. At the completion of the photo session passengers return to Chama by train or bus at their choice.

Day 2 – Saturday 27 August:
Passengers travel by bus or car to Cumbres Pass to board the train and Geese. D&RGW #315 and both “Geese” RGS #5 and #7 travel together from Cumbres to Big Horn and return with photo stops along the way. All passengers will get all runbys, regardless of which train or Goose you are on. #315 remains at Cumbres for the night and the “Geese” continue on to Chama.
Later that evening in Chama there will be a “Reunion get-together” where all who have had narrow gauge experiences will have the opportunity to share them. Remembrance of past railroaders will occur. Non railroad people are also invited to attend and participate.

Day 3 – Sunday 28 August:
Both Geese #5 and #7 as well as D&RGW #463, hauling a photo train, will head from Chama to Cumbres Pass. A group lunch will be served which will be followed by a private demonstration of restored D&RGW pile driver #OB at Cumbres Pass, presented by the Friends of the C&TS. D&RGW #315 will provide steam for the pile driver and many photo opportunities will be available. At the conclusion of the demonstration all the Geese, the #315 and the #463 photo train will return to Chama, with runbys staged en route. An evening photo session will conclude the event.

Price: $759.00/ person for the three days. Event registration will include the Dinner Train, one #315 train ride, one Galloping Goose trip and the Sunday trips. Trips will be filled on a first come first served basis. Additional rides may be purchased on a space available basis. Remember, with the exception of the beginning of the day on Friday, everyone will get the same runbys, regardless of whether they are on the #315 train or one of the Galloping Geese.

Registration must be made by phone at 575 219-3301.

The Branding Iron Motel is the host venue for this event. Rooms are being held at a special rate for a limited time. Call 575 756-2162, or 1-800 446-2650 to make your reservation.

John Bush reached out to Historic Transportation Specials and asked us to contact our mailing list. I've made a few changes to John's original announcement to perhaps clarify a few details. As has been pointed out in the previous thread, there will be special terms available for former narrow gauge railroaders that don't wish to buy the complete package. Call Roberta at 575-219-3301 to sign up for just the reunion portion of the event.

Michael Allen