Chama Division of the San Juan Extension,1937 by Peter Vassallo GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the MRH Contest! The San Juan extension of the Denver and Rio Grande Western is, for many fans, the pinnacle of narrow gauge railroading. Even today thousands of people every year ride the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, which is the last operating portion of this dramatic, scenic line. I rode it myself in 1998, loving every minute – the trains getting ready in Chama, climbing double-headed up 4% grades to Cumbres, winding along rocky ledges through Toltec, and eventually meandering along the relaxing foothills toward Antonito. I always thought this would make a great model railroad, one that would offer high scenic and operating potential. For the contest, I originally planned to focus solely on Chama. Once I started, I couldn’t stop, so before getting into detail on the • INDEX • TABLE OF CONTENTS