Chama, N.M. & Antonito, CO—New Mexico PBS stations, KENW-3 (Eastern NM) and KRWG-22 (Southern NM, West TX) will broadcast the Emmy award-winning public television special, “Great Scenic Railway Journeys: Celebrating North Americas Steam Railways” Thursday, March 7, 7 to 10 p.m. The three-hour live program with producer Robert Van Camp will feature the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. “Great Scenic Railway Journeys” will air a total of eight times on KRWG-22 (www.krwg.org) March 7 to March 17. It will also air twice on KENW-3 (www.kenw.org) (March 7, 7 p.m., March 17, 10 a.m.) which can be picked up statewide and in Southern Colorado on satellite.
“Great Scenic Railway Journeys” has received 11 Emmys for the series. The program is hosted by David Holt and the series is written and directed by Robert Van Camp. The series is a tour of 22 of the most historic and scenic tourist railways.
“The first time I visited Cumbres & Toltec, I knew there was something very unique and special about it,” says Van Camp. “Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is one of the best examples of a historic operating railroad. All the equipment and buildings are original to the line. The trips they offer cover 64 miles of track through some of the most pristine and unspoiled beauty that the San Juan Mountains have to offer. This is by far one of my favorite railroads that I've had the honor of working with on our series.”
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad allows riders the opportunity to explore New Mexico’s and Colorado’s most scenic areas, and at the same time, share in a family experience. The train chugs up the 10,015-foot-high Cumbres Pass, winds through tunnels and over trestles, and snakes along the 800-foot-deep Toltec Gorge, past waterfalls, mountain forests, and alpine meadows. A ride on the train is an adventure in time, engaging passengers, photographers, historians, and train aficionados in one of the most historic rail experiences anywhere.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, was designated as a National Historic Landmark by Department of the Interior October 2012. The 2013 season starts May 25 and will run through October 20.