The Train Trip 2026 - date TBA

[MDH33]

Oh look, I was there. Couple of cold nights for a few if I recall.

Indeed, froze my butt off! Was 80° in IA when I packed and rolled out. Camped on the beach at lake Mac on the way there. Was unprepared for the frosty mornings in my summer bag. Good lesson and now i always bring the winter bag, just in case.

Other than the chilly mornings, Fall is worth it in every other way. May sign on the trip if Fall and if the old Cruiser is up to it.

 

[SaintAgatha]

Boy they sure were! @SaintAgatha can tell the story of ditching the tent and moving into the 80 to run the heater in the middle of the night pretty well.

I do remember that. I also remember that I was high as a kite and would like to apologize to everyone that was there for acting like a complete weirdo.

Anyway we ride every year in the fall and it is hard to describe how gorgeous it is. 1000/10 do recommend. It's also really quiet. The leaf peepers are flipping cars up on Guanella and we're down there enjoying the view, almost all to ourselves.

We've also done one of the night trains. Would have been cool if it wasn't cloudy ... and then there was literally nothing to see. @DanS and I paid to sleep on a train, haha. Would be fun to kill that down time with friends, though, if we decided to do it and the weather didn't cooperate.

 

[brisico]

D&S is doing also some runs with 340 in June before they send it back to Knott's. And the C&TSRR is double heading 168 and 463 from Antonio to Osier for statehood day August 1st.

 

[mcgaskins]

@bh4rnnr this article made me think about your trips down here! Sounds like a really cool way to see the stars.

These Train Journeys Across the Country Are Built Entirely Around Stargazing

From steam-powered star trains to moonlit railbike rides through redwood forests, these are the best night sky train adventures across America.

www.outsideonline.com

 

[brisico]

Any new thoughts on this trip? I am trying to align my schedule to ride the Colorado 150 train behind double-headed 168 and 463 to Osier on 1 Aug if anyone is interested?

 

[fyffer]

Well lets hope for some good rain between now and then.
How Drought Changes Leaves

• • Early Chlorophyll Breakdown: Trees lack the water needed to maintain green chlorophyll, causing them to shut down food production early.
  • Premature Yellowing: Stressed trees pull back moisture, revealing underlying yellow and brown pigments ahead of schedule.
  • Direct Browning: Severe dry spells cause leaves to skip bright colors entirely, turning crisp brown and dropping off early.
  • Muted Hues: Lack of sugars and healthy sap prevents the bright development of reds and deep oranges.
  • How Drought Changes Leaves
    • • Early Chlorophyll Breakdown: Trees lack the water needed to maintain green chlorophyll, causing them to shut down food production early.
      • Premature Yellowing: Stressed trees pull back moisture, revealing underlying yellow and brown pigments ahead of schedule.
      • Direct Browning: Severe dry spells cause leaves to skip bright colors entirely, turning crisp brown and dropping off early.
      • Muted Hues: Lack of sugars and healthy sap prevents the bright development of reds and deep oranges.

 

[DanS]

Well lets hope for some good rain between now and then.
How Drought Changes Leaves

• • Early Chlorophyll Breakdown: Trees lack the water needed to maintain green chlorophyll, causing them to shut down food production early.
  • Premature Yellowing: Stressed trees pull back moisture, revealing underlying yellow and brown pigments ahead of schedule.
  • Direct Browning: Severe dry spells cause leaves to skip bright colors entirely, turning crisp brown and dropping off early.
  • Muted Hues: Lack of sugars and healthy sap prevents the bright development of reds and deep oranges.
  • How Drought Changes Leaves
    • • Early Chlorophyll Breakdown: Trees lack the water needed to maintain green chlorophyll, causing them to shut down food production early.
      • Premature Yellowing: Stressed trees pull back moisture, revealing underlying yellow and brown pigments ahead of schedule.
      • Direct Browning: Severe dry spells cause leaves to skip bright colors entirely, turning crisp brown and dropping off early.
      • Muted Hues: Lack of sugars and healthy sap prevents the bright development of reds and deep oranges.

I'd believe it. We've had a few yellow leaves at our place for the past month or so. Just a few here and there, but definitely a few yellow leaves already.

Dan