Apache Canyon Sunset. With just a minute or two of sunlight left, a Rio Grande Freight sails through Apache Canyon, on the westbound run to Cumbres Pass. On the 4th day of the FarRail/Lerro Charter, daylight was running out and we had just been skunked by a passing cirrus cloud deck down in the Los Pinos Valley. Thinking we were pretty much done for the day, we packed up and headed for Cumbres Pass, which was supposed to be our destination for the night. As we passed the Los Pinos Tank the sun began to pop out again and word spread through the train that if there was light at Apache Canyon, we were going to try and get one last sunset run-by. The race was on. Our train needed to get to the spot before the light was gone, and it was going to take a max effort to get everyone off the train, get it backed up and get that run-by in. It all went like clockwork. We made the spot, the light was awesome, the patrons got off the train in one hell of a hurry and the crew got 'er backed up just in time. After a golden-light "comin'-at-ya shot", everyone turned and suddenly realized that the real shot of the day was this glinty "goin' away"!
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
