The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is a 64-mile, 3-foot narrow-gauge railway between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico, preserving a mountain section of the former Denver and Rio Grande Western system. Built in 1880 as part of the San Juan Extension, it crossed steep terrain, tunnels, Cumbres Pass, and a deep gorge on the way toward mining country. The route helped support logging around Chama and later oil-related freight, but severe winter snows made operations difficult and contributed to abandonment plans in the late 1960s. Purchased by New Mexico and Colorado, the line became a heritage railroad in 1971 and remains a rare surviving narrow-gauge route with major historic recognition.