Over La Veta Pass by train, Part 1 of 2: Alamosa to La Veta

On July 23 and 24, 2011 I had the opportunity to ride and chase the excursion train over the "La Veta Pass Route" operated by the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. The train is powered by #18, a 2-8-0 built by Alco in 1910. It also features both the former Illinois Central Railroad parlor car "Mardi Gras" and the former Southern Railroad open observation car "Lookout Mountain." I have seen and ridden in both of these cars (in other lifetimes, so it seems) and enjoyed seeing them together in such a handsome train and beautiful setting.

The "Mardi Gras" now has had the distinction of running over two of the most spectacular standard gauge tourist railroads in the country,IMHO: the West Virginia Central (look for the video "Seen around Durbin, WV, 2/4" in my Trains and More Trains playlist) and now the Rio Grande Scenic.

Some of the chase scenes in this video were filmed in Forbes Park, which is a gated community. It is my good fortune to have friends with a cabin up there, so I had access and a knowledgeable guide, both of which are necessary to chase the train between Sierra and Fir.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Alamosa
• Colorado
• railfan
• railroad
• railway
• steam_locomotive
• trains

[jointlinerailfan]

@ 1:13 I haven't really heard much about the heisler after they got her to Alamosa. It'd be cool if they fired her off

[bullfrog1954]

Great production video, train and scenery!! I've ridden the WVC myself as part of a Cass Scenic RR trip. And 2-8-0s interest me because many eastern short lines used them, such as the Ma & Pa (Maryland & Pennsylvania; my favorite of'em all)! The Ma & Pa's 2-8-0s typically had small drivers as they were mostly used for freight and had to handle the grades and curves Ma & Pa was notorious for!

[bradnoga]

more fine video, thank you for posting

[wvwoodman]

Yes - The WVC is a beautiful ride.