Description
In August 2021, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic gathered five operating pre-1900 steam locomotives to celebrate the preservation railroad's 50th anniversary. In this DVD, Trains covers the action of these old, great locomotives in operation: Eureka, Glenbrook, Rio Grande Nos. 168 and 425, plus Rio Grande Southern No. 20.
Additionally, we'll look at Sunset on the Rio Grande, a Trains Magazine special event with RGS 20 and Extra 493, another Trains event at the Durango & Silverton with Rio Grande 2-8-2 No. 493 and visiting Southern Pacific 4-6-0 No. 18 from California. Two weeks of great narrow gauge action brought to you in 90 minutes!
Approximate run time: 90 minutes
Reviews
The world’s largest gathering of 19th century locomotives under steam took place in August of 2021 at the Victorian Iron Horse Roundup in Chama, New Mexico on the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad. The 50th anniversary event at the Cumbres & Toltec featured two 1875 beautifully restored steam locomotives from Nevada, the Eureka and the Glenbrook, and they were joined by Southern Pacific 2-8-0 #18, the Cumbres & Toltec’s recently restored 1883 engine No. 168, and engine No. 425 (#315). Another steam locomotive running as part of the celebration was the Colorado Railroad Museum's 4-6-0 #20, once the D&RGW Durango yard switcher. All six steam locomotives headed up historic consists of freight and passenger trains, creating living railroad images not enjoyed for 140 years.
The special trains were scheduled to pass historic spots along the right-of-way such as Tanglefoot Curve, Cascade Trestle, Los Pinos and Sublette.
The hour and a half color DVD starts out quickly, summarizing the six steam locomotives as the key players at the event. Then each of the various steam excursions that took place during the event is recorded with beautiful views through the Colorado mountains and lots of great steam action. The trackside views of the trains is exciting and some of the locomotives were even double-headed for more steam and action. The train action continues at the Durango & Silverton Railroad out of Durango, and the footage finishes off with spectacular footage of the steam rotary OY over Cumbres Pass during snow season. You’ll want this DVD for your video library, even if you attended the event.
—Don Heimburger, Heimburger House Publishing Co. January 7, 2021