Special Package: Order both First Train to Toltec and Rocky Mountain Snowplow at the same time and save nearly $14.95 (regular price $59.90). Purchase both DVDs together for $39.95.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SNOWPLOW

Rocky Mountain Snowplow is a fascinating look at what is perhaps the rarest event in all of railroading . . . the operation of a steam-powered Rotary Snowplow to open a snowbound railroad.

It's early May, and Colorado and New Mexico's famous Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is still closed with huge drifts of snow blocking the tracks for several miles! Rotary snowplow OY, along with K-36 class 2-8-2 steam locomotives 487, 488, and 484 are dispatched to clear the line of the blockage. Witness some of the finest plowing ever, as the rotary digs through the deep snow under a clear blue sky! Thrill to the action as the snowplow train assaults 10,015 foot Cumbres Pass, on the former Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad as some locomotives even sported the famed flying Rio Grande lettering on their tenders. Enjoy a tour of the interior of the rotary, and see all the gears and rods in motion. You're also treated to scenes from the cab of engines 484 and 487, as well as many exclusive photo locations that could only be reached by snowmobile. This is no museum demonstration run. The assault on Windy Point is incredible with the snow drift higher than the hood of the Rotary Plow. This event took parts of 4 days, and culminated with the rotary train stopping because a huge boulder blocked the line. An awesome video that all will enjoy. This video won a Silver Telly Award, the highest possible in 1998.

FIRST TRAIN TO TOLTEC

This video takes you behind the scenes as the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad opens a blockaded railroad, and then we charter a special freight train just for YOU! Our presentation takes up where the Rotary train left off. We were invited along on a special work train dispatched to clear a boulder that sits squarely on the tracks. A crew has blasted the rock with dynamite then the work train with its loader is used to clear the rubble off the tracks so repairs can be made. This is very unusual, and in remote Colorado high country.

Next we charter a special, authentically lettered "Rio Grande" freight train, just for YOU! We start out of Chama, New Mexico with K-37 2-8-2 #497 in the lead with good size freight train headed for the summit of Cumbres Pass. Engine 484 is a rear helper coupled in just ahead of the caboose, as they tackle the 4% grade which includes a stop for both engines to water at the Cresco tank. As elevation increases to about 9500 feet, the snow deepens from where the Rotary had cleared a few days earlier, and the freight crests 10,015 foot Cumbres Pass in a 6 foot trench of snow. Later our train encounters a huge drift of snow near Osier, and our helper engine, now running ahead of the train, plows the snow several times, and derails. After re-railing we head east to videotape a snow-covered locomotive at several locations, including the Toltec Tunnel. We are the first train of the 1997 season to reach this location, a remote spot in the Rockies on the narrow gauge with a steam-hauled freight train. A great companion to our Rocky Mountain Snowplow video.

DVD has some added bonus footage at the end.