Re: The Great Debate
| November 03, 2018 11:10AM |
|
John West Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This debate is a regular feature of this site.
> And like so many things in my view the answer
> depends. If you have only one day and are
> primarily a steam fan, the eastbound trip from
> Chama allows you to watch and listen to your
> engine(s) attack the four percent grade to
> Cumbres. After that everything is gravy, and if
> you go through to Antonito (as opposed to an Osier
> roundtrip) you will probably be napping by the
> time you get to Lava because it is a long day. On
> the other hand if you have more than one day and
> also enjoy the scenery and nature, a trip starting
> from Antonito has much to recommend it. The
> vistas from the train as it slowly climbs around
> sweeping curves on the long two percent grade are
> spectacular, and best enjoyed while you are fresh
> and wide awake. You can better appreciate the
> gradual change as the landscape goes from fertile
> valley to high desert to sub alpine to alpine.
> All the while enjoying the sights and sounds of
> your engine working. Then after a good lunch the
> finale is the sweeping views from Windy Point and
> a quick final lap into Chama. Then the next day
> you can either ride the train again or drive along
> the railway to take in the dramatic sights and
> sounds of the engines climbing to Cumbres.
>
> This is the morning view from Lava looking back at
> Antonito.
>
>
> JBWX
At 79 naps seem to sneak up on me
so starting in Antonito has the extra benefit of keeping me awake after one of Steven's meals.
Nice shot John!
-------------------------------------------------------
> This debate is a regular feature of this site.
> And like so many things in my view the answer
> depends. If you have only one day and are
> primarily a steam fan, the eastbound trip from
> Chama allows you to watch and listen to your
> engine(s) attack the four percent grade to
> Cumbres. After that everything is gravy, and if
> you go through to Antonito (as opposed to an Osier
> roundtrip) you will probably be napping by the
> time you get to Lava because it is a long day. On
> the other hand if you have more than one day and
> also enjoy the scenery and nature, a trip starting
> from Antonito has much to recommend it. The
> vistas from the train as it slowly climbs around
> sweeping curves on the long two percent grade are
> spectacular, and best enjoyed while you are fresh
> and wide awake. You can better appreciate the
> gradual change as the landscape goes from fertile
> valley to high desert to sub alpine to alpine.
> All the while enjoying the sights and sounds of
> your engine working. Then after a good lunch the
> finale is the sweeping views from Windy Point and
> a quick final lap into Chama. Then the next day
> you can either ride the train again or drive along
> the railway to take in the dramatic sights and
> sounds of the engines climbing to Cumbres.
>
> This is the morning view from Lava looking back at
> Antonito.
>
>
> JBWX
At 79 naps seem to sneak up on me
so starting in Antonito has the extra benefit of keeping me awake after one of Steven's meals.Nice shot John!
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.