Erik and I rode the Cumbres and Toltec Railway today, a cousin to the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.  Constructed in the late 1800s, the railroad served remote towns in New Mexico and Colorado.  The trains are pulled by locomotives built in the 1920s.  Unlike commercial tourist lines, the Cumbres and Toltec is maintained and operated almost entirely by volunteers.  We met several retirees who spend five months each year camping near the railroad and working the line.

Very little excitement happens on a rail journey.  Once the train leaves the station, the enjoyment is in the passing scenery and eavesdropping on the conversations of others.  It is a bit like meditation where you can hear the thoughts of those around you.  Thankfully, in most meditation this is not true.

Erik found his enjoyment in the hordes of cute, young volunteers staffing the railroad.  We dubbed the brakeman "Hot Brake Boy" and tried to take photographs without looking overly eager.

According to one of our fellow passengers who commented to anyone who would listen, Saint Louis is in significant danger of being destroyed by an earthquake at any moment, as is San Francisco.  Seattle is likely to be destroyed by a volcano.  Several other cities were included on his list of destruction except, however, a small town in Kansas where he resides.  "It is pretty much the safest place in the world.  Go 30 miles south, though, and you'll be killed by a tornado."

Tomorrow, Erik and head to Amarillo and the Big Texan Steakhouse.
 

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad	Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad	Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Hot Brake Boy	Locomotive Engineer
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad	Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

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