Climbing through the Valley of the Los Pinos
D&RG Locomotives #168 and 425 haul their San Juan Passenger Extra across the wooden trestle at Los Pinos Creek (MP 324.52) as they make the long climb through the valley of the same name. The Los Pinos section of the line is one of many lengthy detours that the Cumbres Pass route makes, in order to keep the grades manageable. In the case of the Los Pinos Valley, we have a railroad that is basically running east-west, taking about a 5 mile detour running north up the valley, then back south, with a hair-pin turn at the north end. Fortunately, this valley is about the easiest place on the entire 64-mile line to build track. It also photographs extremely well!
Climbing through the Valley of the Los Pinos
D&RG Locomotives #168 and 425 haul their San Juan Passenger Extra across the wooden trestle at Los Pinos Creek (MP 324.52) as they make the long climb through the valley of the same name. The Los Pinos section of the line is one of many lengthy detours that the Cumbres Pass route makes, in order to keep the grades manageable. In the case of the Los Pinos Valley, we have a railroad that is basically running east-west, taking about a 5 mile detour running north up the valley, then back south, with a hair-pin turn at the north end. Fortunately, this valley is about the easiest place on the entire 64-mile line to build track. It also photographs extremely well!