The San Juan Extension

The San Juan Extension was part of the Denver & Rio Grande Western's 4th Division. The main line ran from Alamosa, CO through Chama, NM to Durango, CO. From there branch lines radiated out to Silverton, CO and Farmington, NM. There was also a junction with the Rio Grande Southern Railroad (the RGS ran from Durango through Dolores and Rico to Ridgway, CO).

 

The Rio Grande Southern was abandoned and dismantled in 1951. The segment between Durango and Chama was abandoned and removed in 1970. The Farmington Branch was also removed at that time.

 

Today the Silverton Branch from Durango survives on the west end of the old San Juan Extension. The eastern portion between Antonito and Chama also remains, now known as the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The (now) standard gauge line between Antonito and Alamosa also exist today as the Antonito Branch of the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad. The 108 miles between Chama and Durango have passed into history.

 

This is a collection of the photos and videos I've taken of the remnants of the San Juan Extension (Alamosa to Durango). The locations are organized in order from east to west. Each page contains a brief history of the site and whatever maps and satellite images I've been able to find. This is an on-going project, over time I'll add and update the data and media.

 

*My buddy Larry Gibson is providing much needed assistance with this project.

THANKS Larry!

 

Alamosa

Coming Winter 2014

La Jara

Done

Antonito

Done

Lava

Done

Big Horn

Done

Sublette

Done

Toltec Siding

Done

Mud Tunnel

Done

Phantom Curve

Done

Rock Tunnel

Done

Toltec Gorge

Done

Osier

Done

Cascade Creek

Done

Los Pinos Siding & Trestle

Done

Los Pinos Tank

Coming Winter 2014

Tanglefoot Curve

Coming Winter 2014

Cumbres Pass

Coming Winter 2014

Windy Point

Coming Winter 2014

Coxo

Coming Winter 2014

Cresco

Coming Winter 2014

Cresco Siding

Coming Winter 2014

2nd Highway 17 Crossing

Coming Winter 2014

Dalton

Coming Winter 2014

Labato

Coming Winter 2014

1st Highway 17 Crossing

Coming Winter 2014

Jukes Tree

Coming Winter 2014

Rio Chama Coming Winter 2014
Chama Coming Winter 2014
Current End-of-Track Coming Winter 2014
Monero Coming Winter 2014
Lumberton Coming Winter 2014

Dulce

Coming Winter 2014
Navajo Coming Winter 2014
Juanita Coming Winter 2014

Gato (Pagosa Junction)

Coming Winter 2014
Carracas Coming Winter 2014

Arboles

Done

Tiffany Coming Winter 2014
La Boca Coming Winter 2014
Ignacio Coming Winter 2014

Falfa

Coming Winter 2014

Florida

Coming Winter 2014

Carbon Junction

Coming Winter 2014
Durango Coming Winter 2014
   

**Technical details have been researched from:

 

 DRGW.net by Nathan Holmes

 "Ticket to Toltec" by Doris B. Osterwald

CumbresToltec.com

CumbresToltec.org