News

Historic Narrow Gauge Still Up and Running

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, despite a bridge fire in June that interrupted its
64-mile main line, is still running its historic narrow-gauge trains daily through the spectacular
mountains and canyons along the New Mexico-Colorado border. “America’s highest and longest
narrow-gauge scenic railroad,” now celebrating its 40th year of operation, will be running on a
route that’s a bit shorter but still breath-taking through the end of its season on Oct. 17.

Tickets and reservations are available on the C&TS website, www.cumbrestoltec.com, and
information about helping to get the full line back in operation is on the website of the railroad’s
volunteer organization, the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec, www.cumbrestoltec.org. The Friends
organization includes a number of ASTA volunteers, and ASTA wishes its sister railroad all the best!

Bertram Depot Open for Summer Tours

The Bertram Depot will be open Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. all summer long!
There’s no charge to stop by and tour our fully restored 1912 train depot, located on Highwy 29
in Bertram. Pick up a few souvenirs, purchase train tickets, or just take a leisurely tour.



We hope to see you this summer in Bertram!

Alco Diesel 442 Engine Turns 50

The locomotive which had faithfully led all of the Austin Steam Train's
weekend excursions since 2000 will turn fifty years old on June 26, 2010.

Press Release

      
Lots more photos

Steam Engine Southern Pacific 786 Restoration Update

Spring 2010

The new cylinder castings are being machined at Steam Operations Corporation in Alabama. The pair of castings for the cylinder saddle have been rough machined and are bolted together. They have been fitted to the frame and are awaiting a last pass on the mills to their final dimensions. After that, they will be mounted permanently to the engine frame, using special taper bolts.

Restoration work on the boiler at Historic Machinery Services in Alabama is complete. All of the thin spots have been replaced with new steel plates, new tubes and flues have been fabricated and installed, and a new smoke box bottom has been installed. The completed boiler has been pressure tested ("hydro") to 250 psi, 25% over working pressure. It is currently stored waiting to be installed on the frame and new cylinder castings.

The driving wheels have been successfully turned in the shops of the Tennessee Valley Railroad and eight new steel tires for the drivers have been fabricated and installed. The drivers are complete and in storage waiting to be installed under the frame.

The air compressor has been completely rebuilt and feed water heater is being restored at Back Shop Enterprises in Colorado.

New main driving boxes have been cast and machined. They will have new crown brass and thrust bearings installed before installation on the frame.

New cylinder heads have been cast and machined and are ready for installation. All of the side rods have been machined to like-new tolerances and are ready for installation. New spring rigging has been designed and is waiting to be fabricated.

Read more about the restoration at "Where is the Steam Locomotive" or look at the work in progress at the Photo Gallery.

Check Back Frequently For Updates

Photo Gallery of SP 786 Restoration Work Now Online