he route of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, a narrow-gauge heritage railway running between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, traces its origins to the late 19th century. Built in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad as part of a broader narrow-gauge network, the route was primarily intended to support the booming mining industry in the San Juan Mountains. Stretching over 64 miles through rugged terrain and reaching elevations as high as 10,015 feet at Cumbres Pass, the route remains renowned for its challenging engineering and breathtaking mountain scenery. Its steep grades, tight curves, and narrow-gauge track were strategically designed to navigate the mountainous landscape and provide access to remote mining communities.

As mining declined in the early 20th century, the railroad’s freight and passenger service began to dwindle — though the line continued to operate for many decades. By the 1960s, with the rise of highways and the fading need for rail access to mines, the D&RGW announced plans to abandon the route. Local communities and rail enthusiasts, however, recognized the historical and scenic value of the line, and efforts began to preserve it as a living museum. In 1970, the states of New Mexico and Colorado jointly purchased the line, renaming it the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and transforming it into a heritage railway. This acquisition marked a unique bi-state commitment to preserving a significant piece of railroad history, and the line soon reopened as a tourist attraction, bringing visitors from around the world. The railroad is named for two geographical features along the route: the 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass and the Toltec Gorge.

Today, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic is one of the most celebrated heritage railways in North America, known for its authenticity and dedication to the preservation of early railroad history. Visitors can experience a journey on original steam locomotives and historic cars, winding through untouched wilderness and passing through tunnels, steep mountain passes, and remote ghost towns. The railroad is also a designated National Historic Landmark, a testament to its enduring legacy and its role in preserving the rich heritage of the American West. In 1973, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1976. In 2012, the railroad was designated a National Historic Landmark for its engineering, well-preserved infrastructure, and equipment and the role of the railroad in the development of the region.

Today the railroad has a total of ten narrow-gauge steam locomotives (five operational) and two narrow-gauge diesel locomotives on its current roster. The railroad also operates two smaller former D&RGW steam locomotives, Nos. 315 (owned by the Durango Railroad Historical Society) and 168 (owned by the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado), for special events and excursions.