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The C&TS is jointly owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico.

The C&TS was originally built in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. Construction began from Antonito early that year. The tracks reached Cumbres Pass (then called Alta) on December 15, and the first train arrived in Chama on December 31, 1880.

“Narrow gauge” refers to the distance between the rails. The C&TS was built with the rails 3 feet apart, which is closer together—or narrower—than the 4 feet, 8-1/2 inches that became standard in the United States. The Denver & Rio Grande originally built its railroads narrow gauge because the construction and equipment costs were less than standard gauge, and it allowed for sharper curves in the mountainous terrain. This proved to be shortsighted, and a decade later the D&RG began converting parts of its system to standard gauge. However, the portion of track which is now the C&TS has survived as narrow gauge to this day.

Much of the grade on the west slope of Cumbres Pass is four percent. That means that the railroad rises (or descends) four feet for every one hundred feet of travel. Other than logging or cog railroads, it is very rare to build a railroad at such a steep grade, and this is one of the defining characteristics of the C&TS. The east slope is about 1-1/2 percent.

The C&TS is a living museum of railroad engineering. It is a functioning, operating railway and an invaluable 64-mile-long museum of railroad history and technology; it is not a static display of relics of railroad engines, cars and trackside structures. We do provide walking tour brochures of the historic Chama yard, Cumbres Pass, and the Antonito yard displays.

Yes, you are welcome to walk about the Chama and Antonito yards. Walking tour brochures are available at the depots. For your safety, please follow these guidelines.

1. Always look for moving trains before crossing any tracks. Locomotives can be very quiet when they are moving.

2. Never step on the rails themselves, as they can be slippery.

3. Visitors are not allowed inside the shops and engine houses, or on any railroad equipment without permission.

During the off-season you are welcome to walk about the Chama and Antonito yards. Walking tour brochures are available at the depots.

The C&TS is operated by a paid staff of professional railroaders. However, volunteer opportunities do exist for docents, as well as in the restoration and preservation of the railroad’s historic structures and equipment that are not used by the passenger train operation. The Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is the official museum arm of the railroad, and volunteers must be members of the Friends. For information about the Friends, please visit the Friends’ web site.

The C&TS hires seasonal and full-time staff as the need warrants. Interested parties should send email to  jobs@cumbrestoltec.com.