In the days of the Denver & Rio Grande (Western), Antonito was a junction point. The "Chili line" or Santa Fe Branch (official name) continued south to Santa Fe while the San Juan Extension headed west to Chama, Durango, Farmington, and Silverton.

The small yard, with wye, was mostly dual gauge. Steam servicing facilities included coal trestle and water tank. The coal trestle was later replaced a "Red Devil" coal loader. An identical device was located in Alamosa.

When the C&T was created in 1970, the Rio Grande moved all of the locomotives and rolling stock purchased by the states to Antonito, shoved it out onto the west leg of the wye and then removed a short segment of rail at the end of the wye to physically separate the 2 roads. The C&T operated for several years with the main ending in a stub before a new yard was built to serve as the eastern terminus.

Shortly after moving all of the NG equipment to Antonito, the Rio Grande removed the 3rd rail between Antonito and Alamosa. The NG rails in Alamosa were also removed, ending a glorious chapter in the history of that old railroad town.

Today Antonito has two two rail yards: the C&T and the San Luis & Rio Grande (former D&RGW, former Union Pacific). Although still physically disconnected, the two railroads work together so that it is possible to ride standard gauge varnish from Alamosa to Antonito and then narrow gauge to Chama.

There has been quite a bit of talk about restoring the original D&RG depot and extending the C&T main to it so that the two roads can exchange passengers in the historically significant and correct location. Time will tell if this ever comes to fruition. I, for one, certainly hope it does!

This is the original Denver & Rio Grande Antonito Depot. No longer in use, it was donated for restoration by the UP to the City of Antonito. It is hoped that someday narrow gauge trains of the C&T will meet standard gauge trains of the SL&RG here.

This was written on a boarded up window. I had a

 good chuckle.

Note: you can still see the notches where the narrow gauge tie plates were placed. These were removed around 1970. This is the beginning of the north leg of the wye.

Facing north along what is now the SL&RG main to Alamosa.

My wife couldn't make this trip. So, I took her "Thumper" with me and posed him a few times. Yes, I know that's kind of strange. But, so is rail-fanning.

North leg of the wye

Looking south along the final remnant of the "Chili Line"

Another remnant of

days long gone by

Looking west along the former D&RGW main line to Durango. This is the point where the 3rd rail for standard gauge ended.

Today, of course, only the narrow gauge rails of the C&T survive.

The photo on the right was taken in 1950 and is from Life Magazine.

A remnant of dual gauge embedded in the Highway 285 grade crossing just west of the C&T Antonito yard.

Looking north towards Antonito along the

abandoned Right of Way of the "Chili Line"

Looking south towards Tres Piedras, NM along

 the abandoned "Chili Line"

Dual Guage exhibit

in C&T Yard

Looking west from the C&T engine house

D&RGW C18 #315 pulling out of the C&T Engine House