Headed west.... The morning sun has ducked into a mid-level cloud deck as D&RG T-12 Locomotive #168 takes her San Juan Express consist west over Ferguson's Trestle a Milepost 285.87, heading for Big Horn, Sublette, Osier and eventually Durango, CO, via the Cumbres Pass Route.
D&RG #168 is a 4-6-0, "10-wheeler" type, built in 1883 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for use on fast passenger trains like this one. She had 46" drivers, which were the largest driving wheels on any D&RGW Locomotive and was one of a class of 12 such engines. She operated on the D&RG and later the D&RGW for 55 years, and was retired in 1938. Donated to the City of Colorado Springs, this engine then spent nearly 80 years as a park display engine, before being leased to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad for restoration to operation. The engine operated for the first time in 2019, but her operational debut was delayed more than a year due to the COVID pandemic. This engine and this consist are now in service on special excursions, typically operating out of Antonito, CO, and turning at Osier, CO.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
