Watch the Cumbres & Toltec Rotary OY in operation for the first time since 1997! In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Rio Grande Rotary OY was brought back to life for an exciting two-day event, plowing snow between Chama, New Mexico and the summit of Cumbres Pass in Colorado.
The two-day event kicked off on February 29th with the rotary working between Chama and the New Mexico/Colorado state line, followed by a rare nighttime photo session. On March 1st, the OY battled icy drifts around Windy Point to the 10,015-foot summit of Cumbres Pass.
Two K-36 Class Mikados number 487 and 484 put on a great show of brute force against gravity lugging the OY and its classic snowplow train up the 4% grade. The San Juan Mountains thundered in a continuous eruption of steam, snow, and smoke!
Narration is limited so you can enjoy the sight (and sound) of classic Rio Grande narrow gauge equipment working in the dead of winter. If you weren’t able to see this event in person, this program is the next best thing!
This program is available on DVD, Blu-ray, Streaming or Digital Download at 7ideaproductions.com. https://www.7ideaproductions.com/products/steam-and-snow-rotary-oy-on-cumbres-pass?_pos=1&_sid=5ad01f809&_ss=r
0:00 Intro
3:02 Chama Yard
10:15 Rotary vs Snow Man!
12:53 Plowing Begins
15:14 The Narrows
25:10 Lobato Siding
32:43 Dalton
43:20 Second Crossing of Hwy 17
52:12 Approaching Colorado State Line
57:57 Nighttime Photo Shoot in Chama
1:00:01 Photo Line Below Coxo
1:00:28 Coxo
1:08:14 Windy Point
1:14:06 Approaching Cumbres Summit
1:19:05 Summit of Cumbres Pass