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Chris Parker and I awoke at 5:45 AM and after we prepared for the day ahead we went to MacDonalds for breakfast of Hot Cakes and sausage to go. Inside we met a few other passengers who were getting breakfast before going down to get on the train. We drove into Alamosa and parked at the train station and offices of the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad meeting Bart Jennings and around the corner met Sarah, who checked us in. I walked across the street to a bench in front of there former Rio Grande train station and sat down to have my breakfast. The juice was ice cold in the 18 degree temperature but the hot cakes quickly turned into cold cakes in the predawn of this morning. I ate quickly and then walked back across the street to wait for our train to be bought in. About 6:40 AM, our train backed into the station with everyone heading to board. I used our Trainweb digital camera for this predawn view of our train at Alamosa.
Following that picture, I recorded the consist of our train for today. The train had SLRG 455 and 456 F-40PHs, SLRG Coach RPCX 2968, UP Baggage 4904, SLRG Coach RPCX 2948 and Coach RPCX 5060. I boarded the 2948 that would be heated and chose my seat. Bart came in and told us the change of plans for the day. We would first go west to Monte Vista, then go east past La Veta then back to Alamosa before heading south to Antonito and to the south end of the track at the Harborlite plant. At 7 AM the train headed west towards Monte Vista. I headed to the rear platform on the 5060 to enjoy the morning sunrise on a very chilly morning.
The sunrise began as we went over a grade crossing with three rails left over from the old dual gauge of the Denver and Rio Grande.
The rails gleam from the predawn light.
The sun has now risen on this beautiful morning.
The view of the mountains to the southwest pink in color.
The view of the same mountains a few minutes and miles later.
The Yard Limit sign for Sugar Jct, the connection to San Luis Central Railroad.
Sugar Jct
Cars on the San Luis Central Railroad which we will be riding over tomorrow.
We have arrived into Monte Vista. Our power will run around the train here and we would do a photo runby while they did it.
Our train cars wait for the power to be run around them at Monte Vista.
The power running around our train at Monte Vista.
Our power reconnected with the SLRG 466 now leading our train east towards La Veta.
A look north at the mountains. The San Luis Valley is larger than the state of Connecticut.
Following US 190 back towards Alamosa.
The view looking up the San Luis Valley north.
It is a very unique Alpine Valley.
Coming into Alamosa we passed the Best Western Alamosa Inn where Chris and I are staying our two nights here.
We returned into Alamosa and passed the junction with the line to Antonito which we will take later this afternoon.
The train stopped at the ex Rio Grande Station to pick up some local officials from the Alamosa Chamber of Commerce.
The train yard east of the Rio Grande River bridge.
Crossing the San Luis Valley to our north the Great Sand Dunes National Park was visible being covered with snow and we will visit there after the San Luis Central trip tomorrow.
As we neared Blanca. Sitting in the rear coach all by myself I closed my eyes and felt like I was riding back on the San Juan Express back in the 1930's.
Mount Blanca watches over the San Luis Valley.
Later we passed through Fort Garland.
The mountains to our southeast.
Approaching the first hillside as we start the climb over La Veta Pass.
Sangre de Cristo Creek which we would follow to Wagon Creek.
We are now running along Wagon Creek.
The train now starts turning and climbing out of the San Luis Valley.
Heading into the snowy mountains.
We startled some deer who quickly ran away from the tracks.
Coming into Russell where the original 1876 narrow gauge rail line took a left to climb over South La Veta Pass. It was over 4 percent in places and had major curves. The new Standard Gauge Line was built over La Veta Pass in 1899 on a lower grade. That is why we made the turn to the right. The old narrow gauge line followed the route of what is today's US 160 route up the west slope of south La Veta Pass.
As we follow Wagon Creek.
A look back at our train as we climb higher.
What a fantastic view as we climb higher.
The route ahead.
Wooden ties wait to be installed at Sierra siding.
The train at Sierra.
The view ahead as we continue to climb.
Breath taking views looking behind us.
Approaching a rock cut.
The look back after passing through it.
The train rolled along a rocky ledge.
Another look back as we round the 12 degree loop below Fir/La Veta Pass.
The former track for turning helpers and snow equipment.
The view looking down at where we had been. We all unloaded for a very unique Photo Runby at Fir.
The first shot is the train backing by our photo line. We all moved over to the watch the train back around the loop and pass below us.
The train is now on the 12 degree loop.
Still backing down out of the loop.
SL&RG Coach RPCX 2968.
Union Pacific 4904.
SL&RG Coach 2948.
SL&RG Coach 5060.
SL&RG F-40PH 455.
SL&RG F-40PH 456. The train continued to back around the corner before starting the Photo Runby.
The Photo Runby at Fir. We all then reboarded the train and we took the next curve that took us over the Fir/La Veta Pass at 9,242 feet of elevation. We will now start down grade but that will be in the next part of the story.
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