Defying gravity
Denver & Rio Grande 10-wheeler #168 hauls her vintage 1800s passenger train upgrade toward the nearby Lava Tank on a stretch of track known as "Gravity Hill", just west of Milepost 289. The term "gravity hill" is actually a generic one, referring to a place where the surrounding terrain makes a particular grade that is uphill, look just the opposite. That's definitely the case here. Although it looks as if the 168 is rolling downhill, she's actually working pretty hard on the climb to Lava.
This image was captured during an October 2024 photo shoot on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. On this day, the featured power was the 1883-vintage Baldwin T-12 #168, one of just two survivors of that class. The 168 is one of the oldest active steam locomotives in the US, and sees only occasional service on special trains, typically between Antonito and Osier, CO.
Defying gravity
Denver & Rio Grande 10-wheeler #168 hauls her vintage 1800s passenger train upgrade toward the nearby Lava Tank on a stretch of track known as "Gravity Hill", just west of Milepost 289. The term "gravity hill" is actually a generic one, referring to a place where the surrounding terrain makes a particular grade that is uphill, look just the opposite. That's definitely the case here. Although it looks as if the 168 is rolling downhill, she's actually working pretty hard on the climb to Lava.
This image was captured during an October 2024 photo shoot on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. On this day, the featured power was the 1883-vintage Baldwin T-12 #168, one of just two survivors of that class. The 168 is one of the oldest active steam locomotives in the US, and sees only occasional service on special trains, typically between Antonito and Osier, CO.