They say the days of steam
are nuthin’ but a dream,
And maybe it would seem
that the airplane is supreme.
But if you’ll hear me out
I’ll leave ya with no doubt.
At Chama, you will find,
a charm that is sublime.
And at the railway station,
there is a big sensation.
A huffin’ puffin’ engine
is what I have to mention.
It’s big and it’s black
and built for mountain track.
The smoke from the stack
will surely take you back.
On iron rails with iron men
like we had way back when.
Where Firemen shovel coal
to make that engine roll.
The Conductor hollers, “All aboard!”
It’s Colorado we are headed toward.
The whistle blows and off we go,
so gently rockin’ to and fro.
Buildin’ up a head of steam,
such a mighty big machine.
Put the drivers to the rail,
We’re gonna hafta haul some mail.
The woods get mighty close,
but the engine never slows.
Been runnin’ through these sticks,
since back in Eighteen Eighty Six.
Then there comes a fearful grade,
the little engine won’t be swayed.
It takes two tons of coal,
to top that lofty goal.
No time to polish brass
Cumbres is our highest pass.
The meadow at the top
is not a place to stop.
Go around a big old curve,
a blowdown if you have the nerve.
Cross a wobbly wooden trestle,
with your fears you’ll hafta wrestle.
The Toltec Gorge is mighty deep,
to the floor is quite a leap.
Eleven times you’ll cross state lines,
you’ll wonder how that railroad winds.
Sixty-four clickity-clackin’ miles,
leave you with some happy smiles.
If you go I’ve just one plea,
save the last good seat for me!
LDT August 14, ‘24
Main Menu- http://www.azrockdodger.com
The Cumbres and Toltec Railway runs between Chama New, Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. The line is 64 miles long and crosses North America’s highest railway pass. You can take a roundtrip to the midpoint or run the entire route and return by bus. Either way you get a great buffet lunch in the high country at Osier, Colorado.
Learn more at https://cumbrestoltec.com/
Outlaws, Outrages and Outright Lies 