Windy Point On Cumbres & Toltec RR

4% grade proves no match for these 2 Mikado locomotives!

The Cumbres & Toltec Railroad is one of the highest and most scenic in the United States!

These two K-36 locomotives #484 and #488 take on the this steep terrain rounding Windy Point in order to enter the Cumbres Pass. Making the horseshoe turn out of the valley of Goxo, the engines can be seen belching black smoke while crawling their way up and around the point pulling a 9 car train.

Built in 1880 to support mining operations in the area, the Cumbres And Toltec Scenic Railroad covers 64 miles between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. The 3 foot narrow gauge railroad crosses over the Colorado and New Mexico borders 11 times before reaching the Cumbres Pass summit.

Rio Grande’s Class K-36 Mikado #484 and #488:

• configuration: 2-8-2
• Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works 1925
• Locomotive weight: 187,100 lbs
• Tractive effort: 36,200 lbf

Let us know if you have ever had a chance to take this excursion on the Cumbres And Toltec Scenic Railroad! We would love to hear your comments!