Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Rio Grande 463
Join us for a charter with Rio Grande 463 on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad – hosted by Dak Dillon Photography.
We’ll celebrate the Mudhen’s 120th birthday with a throwback to the 1950s.
Rio Grande 463 will feature flying Rio Grande lettering for the first charter in approximately 20 years along with refreshed graphite on the smokebox.
- The charter will depart Antonito pre-dawn with photo opportunities from sunrise to late-afternoon.
- The train will operate from Antonito and begin with sunrise at Lava Tank before making our way to Cascade Trestle (subject to change) with runbys planned for numerous locations.
- 463 will pull approximately 6 or 7 livestock stock cars (shown in the historical photos on this page) along with rider boxcars and a caboose for photographers to ride in. The train will have a bathroom available in the bathroom boxcar.
- After our return to Antonito, we’ll set up professional LED lighting for photos of the engine in the yard during twilight and into the evening.
- A box lunch is included in the ticket price.
A second day may be added on Friday, October 20, with Locomotive 168 pending crew availability. If a second day is added, those already registered can add the second day at a reduced rate as part of a two-day package.
Due to the duration of this event and the potential terrain, we do not recommend this experience for young children.
Key Details
Date: October 19, 2023
Location: Antonito, Colorado
Cost: $375/person
This photo charter is limited to 55 participants.
Further details to be provided after registration.
Please Note: Lodging and Transportation are not included in the ticket price.
Questions? Please email Dak at: dak@steamcharters.com
Learn about upcoming railroad photo charters and events via email:
Lava Tank photo courtesy of @slorailfanning
Prefer to pay via check?
If you prefer to pay via check, please mail a bank check or money order made payable to Dakota Group LLC to:
Dakota Group LLC
PO Box 35
Wildwood, Missouri 63040
Checks are not subject to the credit card processing fee.
Please include your name, email and phone number with your check and we will email confirmation upon receipt.
Where do you recommend staying?
The charter will depart from Antonito, Colorado, which includes a few lodging options. Given the potential for snow over Cumbres Pass in October, staying in Chama is not recommended.
Refund Policy
This charter has a go/no go date of September 1, 2023.
In the event the charter is canceled, a full refund (minus any credit card processing fees) will be refunded within 30 days of cancelation.
All reservations are non-refundable after the go/no go date for the charter.
If 463 is not operational for the event date, the event may continue with different motive power at the discretion of Dakota Group and Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Terms and Conditions
We reserve the right to modify the event schedule, event dates or event offering at any time.
Riders may be required by the host railroad and/or Dakota Group LLC to sign a liability waiver to participate in the event.
We are not responsible for bad weather, delays or cancelations. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items, injuries, sickness or damages to personal equipment and loss of personal travel expenses.
Due to the duration of this event and lack of frequent restroom availability, we do not recommend this experience for young children.
Participants must be prepared to disembark and reboard train multiple times throughout the day. Participants should be prepared for rough terrain or uneven footing. Please wear sturdy shoes; hiking boots are recommended.
Photos shown above represent 463 and may not be the exact location or stops included in the charter. Historical photo courtesy of Denver Public Library.
Learn about upcoming railroad photo charters and events via email: