Cumbres Pass Westbound: It's all downhill from here
Completing a short servicing stop at the 10,015 ft. high Cumbres Station (MP 330.60), Denver & Rio Grande Western K-36 #488 eases her train off the summit to being a 13.5-mile drift down the 4% grade to her final destination in Chama, NM. This steep mountain grade is every bit as challenging for the crew going downhill as it is coming up, but the challenges are very different ones. Before departing Cumbres, the crew will have set brake retainers on some of the cars. These devices maintain some brake pressure in between train brake applications by the engineer, keeping the train at a constant, controlled speed and allowing precious time for the locomotive's air compressor to keep the brake reservoir charged. Needless to say, the crew will be constantly vigilant for any frozen or stuck brakes, as well as any hot bearings. If the trainmen are out on the platforms, they'll be breathing a lot of brake dust over the next hour or so. The engineer will maintain what's known as a drifting throttle, ensuring that just enough steam is added to the cylinders to keep things cool and lubricated.
This image was captured during a 5-day photo shoot on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in October of 2012, organized by Lerro Photography and Far Rail Tours.
Cumbres Pass Westbound: It's all downhill from here
Completing a short servicing stop at the 10,015 ft. high Cumbres Station (MP 330.60), Denver & Rio Grande Western K-36 #488 eases her train off the summit to being a 13.5-mile drift down the 4% grade to her final destination in Chama, NM. This steep mountain grade is every bit as challenging for the crew going downhill as it is coming up, but the challenges are very different ones. Before departing Cumbres, the crew will have set brake retainers on some of the cars. These devices maintain some brake pressure in between train brake applications by the engineer, keeping the train at a constant, controlled speed and allowing precious time for the locomotive's air compressor to keep the brake reservoir charged. Needless to say, the crew will be constantly vigilant for any frozen or stuck brakes, as well as any hot bearings. If the trainmen are out on the platforms, they'll be breathing a lot of brake dust over the next hour or so. The engineer will maintain what's known as a drifting throttle, ensuring that just enough steam is added to the cylinders to keep things cool and lubricated.
This image was captured during a 5-day photo shoot on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in October of 2012, organized by Lerro Photography and Far Rail Tours.