Taking it slow at Rock Tunnel
Operating at reduced speed because of the tight curves and close clearances, Denver & Rio Grande Western K-27 #463 emerges from the west portal of the 366 ft. long, "Rock Tunnel" at Milepost 315.20, with a mixed freight bound for Chama, NM via Cumbres Pass.
This image was captured during an October 2024 photo shoot on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which was organized by Lerro Photography. This particular location is one of the more spectacular photo spots on the railroad, but also one of the trickiest to photograph with a large group of people. My camera position here is on an outcropping of rock, which is very uneven, and which features steep drop-offs on all but one side. To my right, it is literally 600 feet down to the bottom of the gorge. It is simply not safe for more than about 10 people at a time on these rocks as all it would take is one clumsy person bumping into another to cause a terrible accident. It is also typically quite windy here, making it difficult to find a nice, stable footing. Suffice it to say that I'm almost always relieved when run-bys here are completed.
Taking it slow at Rock Tunnel
Operating at reduced speed because of the tight curves and close clearances, Denver & Rio Grande Western K-27 #463 emerges from the west portal of the 366 ft. long, "Rock Tunnel" at Milepost 315.20, with a mixed freight bound for Chama, NM via Cumbres Pass.
This image was captured during an October 2024 photo shoot on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which was organized by Lerro Photography. This particular location is one of the more spectacular photo spots on the railroad, but also one of the trickiest to photograph with a large group of people. My camera position here is on an outcropping of rock, which is very uneven, and which features steep drop-offs on all but one side. To my right, it is literally 600 feet down to the bottom of the gorge. It is simply not safe for more than about 10 people at a time on these rocks as all it would take is one clumsy person bumping into another to cause a terrible accident. It is also typically quite windy here, making it difficult to find a nice, stable footing. Suffice it to say that I'm almost always relieved when run-bys here are completed.