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Carlos Llamas

@twinkyllamastwo

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Running steam trains & Hiking. Steam,stone,& stories of the mountains. 1 Dude & 1 bear, a timeless journey. Somewhere between history and horizon!

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🚂 WHERE HISTORY REFUSES TO FADE — SUBLETTE, NEW MEXICO 🖤🤍

There are places where time seems to stand still… and then there’s Sublette, New Mexico.

Beneath a dramatic sky, Denver & Rio Grande Western steam locomotive 488 stands alongside historic East Broad Top Railroad ballast cars, bringing together two remarkable chapters of American narrow-gauge railroad history.

These aren’t museum pieces simply waiting to be admired. They’re survivors of another era, machines built for hard work, carrying the scars, character, and craftsmanship of generations long gone.

Imagine the stories these steel wheels could tell. The countless miles traveled, the mountains conquered, the men who worked them, and the extraordinary effort required to keep them alive today.

Here on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, history isn’t just remembered. It’s maintained, restored, fired up, and put back to work.

And sometimes, when the light is just right and the clouds gather overhead, the 21st century seems to disappear entirely.

One locomotive. Historic freight equipment. A lonely mountain railroad outpost. And more than a century of history staring straight into the camera.

#twinkyllamas #eastbroadtop #newmexicotrue taken in Sublette, New Mexico by @twinkyllamastwo

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6 hours ago

🚂🔥 315 — A GIANT FROM ANOTHER CENTURY!

There is something truly magical about looking up at a 19th-century steam locomotive and realizing that you’re not looking at a museum exhibit. You’re looking at living, breathing, working history! High above the rugged rocks and sagebrush of the American Southwest, the magnificent Denver & Rio Grande No. 315 stands proudly beneath an enormous Colorado sky, sending a column of coal smoke toward the heavens.

Built in 1895, this remarkable little locomotive has witnessed more than 130 years of American history. Yet here she is, still breathing fire, making steam, and reminding us of an era when iron rails and steam power helped connect a nation. Look closely at this photograph. The ancient machinery, the weathered landscape, the incredible sky. Take away the modern world, and you could almost believe you’ve traveled back more than a century.

This isn’t a recreation of history. This IS history, still alive!

And what an extraordinary privilege it is to help keep these magnificent machines alive for future generations to experience.

Long live the mighty little 315! 🚂❤️🔥 #twinkyllamas #steam #twinkystateofcolorado taken in Antonito, Colorado by @twinkyllamastwo

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8 hours ago

I truly believe in thanking those who help you along the way, I don’t skimp on equipment and I get the best money can buy.. I am capturing my life in video and images so I truly believe I deserve the best.

🚂🔥📸 SO A HUGE THANK YOU TO GoPro — FOR HELPING ME SHARE THE MAGIC OF STEAM!

I want to take a moment to thank GoPro for creating such incredible cameras that allow me to capture and share the extraordinary world of historic steam railroading!

Whether I’m shoveling coal into a roaring firebox, riding aboard a century-old locomotive, watching the massive driving rods come to life, or climbing the mountains of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, my GoPro cameras are right there capturing the adventure!

These aren’t experiences you can easily put into words. You have to SEE them, HEAR them, and FEEL them!

And thanks to GoPro, I can bring you along for the ride!

From the breathtaking scenery of the Rocky Mountains to the incredible mechanical beauty of the legendary D&RG 315 and others, every recording is another opportunity to preserve and share a little piece of living railroad history.

At 55 years old, I’m still shoveling coal by the ton, working alongside these magnificent machines, and loving every minute of it!

My goal has always been simple: To share as much of this remarkable world as I possibly can, especially with those who may never have the opportunity to experience it themselves.

So THANK YOU, GoPro, for giving me the tools to capture these unforgettable moments and share my passion with people around the world!

The locomotives may be over 100 years old, but the technology helping tell their stories is extraordinary!

🚂❤️ Keeping history alive, one frame, one mile, and one shovel of coal at a time!

@GoPro #gopro #twinkyllamas taken in Osier Station, Osier Colorado by @twinkyllamastwo

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10 hours ago

🚂🔥 20 MPH INTO HISTORY — ABOARD THE LEGENDARY D&RG 315!

Come along with me for a ride very few people will ever experience! We’re aboard the historic Denver & Rio Grande 315, doing 20 miles per hour as we climb Gravity Hill out of Antonito, Colorado!

Listen to the sounds, watch the rails disappear beneath us, and imagine what it was like to travel this very railroad more than a century ago. I’m doing my best to capture and share as much of this incredible experience as possible, because I want YOU to feel like you’re right here riding alongside me! Thank you @gopro

There’s something extraordinary about experiencing the sights, sounds, vibrations, and raw mechanical beauty of a living, breathing steam locomotive. This isn’t a museum exhibit sitting behind a rope. This is living, working railroad history!

Every mile is a privilege. Every moment is worth preserving. And every video is my little way of bringing you along for the adventure.

Welcome aboard, my friends. This is what keeping history alive looks like! 🚂❤️. #Gopro @gopro #twinkyllamas #twinkystateofcolorado taken in Antonito, Colorado by @twinkyllamastwo

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16 hours ago

🚂🍂 WHEN HISTORY COMES THUNDERING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS!

There are moments when the past doesn’t seem so far away. Moments when history comes alive, breathing fire, belching smoke, and shaking the very rails beneath our feet.

And then there’s Denver & Rio Grande steam locomotive No. 315!

High in the magnificent San Juan Mountains of Colorado, this beautiful survivor from another century makes her way through a landscape painted in the golden colors of autumn.

A towering column of coal smoke rises into the brilliant blue sky, while sunlight dances across the mountainside and the golden aspens stand witness to something truly extraordinary.

Built in 1895, No. 315 is more than a locomotive. She’s a living, breathing piece of American railroad history. Every turn of her wheels, every beat of her exhaust, and every mile she travels is a tribute to the generations of railroaders who came before us.

Just imagine the stories those steel wheels could tell. The countless miles, the mountain passes, the bitter winters, and the hardworking men who kept her fires burning more than a century ago.

And here she is, still doing what she was built to do.

This isn’t a museum exhibit sitting silently behind a velvet rope. This is history in motion!

For those of us fortunate enough to work around these magnificent machines, there’s something deeply humbling about keeping their stories alive.

Because long after the smoke disappears into the mountain air, the memories remain.

125 years? No, my friends. This beautiful old girl has been making history for more than 130 years, and she’s not finished telling her story! ❤️🚂

Keeping the fires of history burning, one shovel of coal and one unforgettable mile at a time.

#twinkyllamas #newmexicotrue #steam taken in Toltec Gorge by @twinkyllamastwo

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2 days ago

Another great day on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

🔥🚂 55 YEARS YOUNG AND STILL FEEDING THE FIRE! 💪🔥

At 55 years old, I’m still standing in the cab of a living, breathing steam locomotive, shoveling coal by the TON into a roaring firebox reaching temperatures of over 2,000 degrees!

This isn’t a simulator. This isn’t a museum display. This is the real thing!
On the legendary Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and New Mexico, I’m helping keep alive a tradition that stretches back more than a century.

Five to six tons of coal on a hard-working day. Blistering heat, thin mountain air, and the relentless rhythm of steel wheels climbing some of the steepest railroad grades in America captured for you all thanks to @GoPro

Every shovel of coal is another heartbeat for these magnificent iron giants. Every roaring fire is another reminder that these machines don’t run on nostalgia alone. They run on sweat, determination, teamwork, and an extraordinary respect for the railroaders who came before us.

Some people my age are slowing down. Me? I’m still throwing coal into history! 💪

And here’s the beautiful part: I don’t consider this just a job. It’s an honor, a privilege, and one of the greatest adventures of my life.

As long as these magnificent locomotives need someone to feed their fires, I’ll be proud to stand in that cab, shovel in hand, keeping the spirit of American steam railroading alive!

55 years old. Thousands of pounds of coal. One incredible passion.

🔥 THE FIRE STILL BURNS — AND SO DO I! 🚂❤️

#twinkyllamas #gopro #twinkystateofcolorado @gopro taken in Antonito, Colorado by @twinkyllamastwo

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3 days ago

🚂🔥 POV: YOU’RE RIDING THE PILOT OF A 131-YEAR-OLD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE!! 🔥🚂

NO WINDSHIELD. NO HOOD. JUST STEEL RAILS, OPEN COUNTRY, AND PURE STEAM-POWERED MAGIC!! 🤯

Welcome to a view very few people will ever experience and thanks to @gopro and its amazing cameras we can share this cool view. Riding along on the pilot of legendary Denver & Rio Grande steam locomotive No. 315, watching the narrow-gauge rails disappear beneath this magnificent machine as she charges through the breathtaking landscapes of the American Southwest! @gopro

Built in 1895, this incredible survivor takes us back to an era when steam ruled the rails and the railroad was the lifeline of the West.

Look at that perspective! The endless rails, the enormous sky, the hypnotic rhythm of the track, and more than a century of railroad history coming straight at you!

This isn’t a video game. This isn’t a simulation. THIS IS LIVING HISTORY! 🚂💨

Turn up the volume, hold on tight, and enjoy a front-row seat to something truly extraordinary!

HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD LOVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS VIEW?! 👀🔥#twinkyllamas #gopro #goviral taken in Antonito, Colorado by @twinkyllamastwo

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3 days ago

TWO IRON HORSES, ONE TIMELESS MOMENT and another great day on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. 🚂🔥

There are photographs that capture history, and then there are photographs that make you feel as though you’ve actually stepped back into it! Under a magnificent, storm-filled Rocky Mountain sky, legendary Denver & Rio Grande steam locomotive 315 stands proudly in the foreground, with another beautiful piece of narrow-gauge history waiting quietly behind her.

Look at the craftsmanship! The towering smokestacks, the magnificent smokebox fronts, the old-fashioned headlights, and every weathered inch of iron and steel tell a story of an era when steam ruled the rails and these incredible machines helped conquer the American West.

And that sky! Those dark, swirling clouds create an almost haunting atmosphere, making these historic locomotives appear even more powerful and timeless.

No modern distractions. No need for special effects. Just authentic railroad history, preserved in all its rugged beauty. This is why we love steam railroading. These aren’t simply old machines. They’re survivors, mechanical masterpieces, and living connections to the generations who came before us.

More than a century of history, standing proudly beneath a Colorado sky.

Sometimes the most beautiful way to experience history is simply to stand still and let it surround you.

LONG LIVE THE IRON HORSE! 🚂❤️#twinkyllamas #twinkystateofcolorado #steam taken in Osier Station, Osier Colorado by @twinkyllamastwo

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3 days ago

🚂🔥 WHEN IRON GIANTS RULED THE RAILS! 🔥🚂

There are photographs that capture a moment in time… and then there are photographs that capture the very soul of history! Behold the magnificent gathering of steam-powered legends!

With mighty No. 463 commanding the foreground and historic No. 315 standing proudly among her fellow iron horses, this extraordinary scene is a celebration of living, breathing railroad history. Look closely at these magnificent machines. Every rivet, every smokestack, every massive driving wheel tells a story of an era when steam was king, coal was its lifeblood, and the thunder of steel wheels echoed through the mountains of the American West.

The drifting coal smoke, the dramatic skies, and the timeless beauty of black-and-white photography make this scene feel as though the calendar has suddenly turned back a hundred years. But here’s the truly extraordinary part…

These aren’t forgotten relics of a vanished age. These are survivors. Machines preserved through incredible dedication, countless hours of restoration, and the passion of people who refuse to let this remarkable chapter of American history disappear.

And when these iron giants awaken, they don’t simply move down the rails…

THEY BRING HISTORY BACK TO LIFE!

Long live the steam locomotive, and long live the incredible people who keep their fires burning! 🚂❤️🔥

#twinkyllamas #twinkystateofcolorado #steam taken in Antonito, Colorado by @twinkyllamastwo

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4 days ago

🚂🔥 ON THE EDGE OF THE ABYSS — D&RG 315 AT TOLTEC GORGE!

Six hundred feet above the rugged depths of Toltec Gorge, history stands on the edge of eternity!

The legendary Denver & Rio Grande steam locomotive No. 315 commands one of the most breathtaking and intimidating stretches of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in New Mexico.

Here, the narrow-gauge rails cling to the mountainside, with towering cliffs, brilliant golden aspens, and a spectacular autumn sky creating a scene almost too magnificent to believe.

Imagine the courage of the railroad builders who carved this incredible passage through the wilderness more than a century ago. No modern technology, no shortcuts — just determination, ingenuity, and the dream of pushing steel rails through seemingly impossible country.

And today, No. 315 brings that remarkable history roaring back to life!

A thousand feet of beauty in every direction, more than 600 feet of emptiness below, and 140-plus years of railroad history beneath her wheels.

This isn’t simply a train ride. This is living history on the edge of the world!

🚂❤️ Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad — where history meets the extraordinary.

#thisisnewmexico #newmexicotrue #twinkyllamas taken in Toltec Gorge by @twinkyllamastwo

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4 days ago

Two Legends. One Railroad. A Century of Steam-Powered History! 🚂🔥

What a magnificent sight on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad! Two remarkable survivors of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande stand together, with mighty D&RG 315 commanding the foreground and beautiful D&RG 168 resting on the neighboring track.

Built in different eras, these two locomotives represent generations of American railroading, when steam ruled the rails and the mountains echoed with the thunder of iron horses.

Just imagine the stories these machines could tell! The countless miles traveled, the crews who kept their fires burning, and the generations who watched them pass.

Today, thanks to extraordinary preservation efforts and the dedication of those who keep railroad history alive, these magnificent machines are far more than museum pieces.

They’re living, breathing reminders of an era that refuses to be forgotten.

Two locomotives. Two incredible histories. One unforgettable moment beneath the Colorado sky.

This isn’t simply railroad preservation. This is history coming alive! ❤️🚂

#twinkyllamas #twinky #newmexicotrue taken in Osier Station, Osier Colorado by @twinkyllamastwo

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4 days ago

WHEN TWO ERAS COLLIDE — ANTONITO, COLORADO! 🚂🩵

Some photographs capture a moment. Others capture an entire era!

Welcome to Antonito, Colorado, where the spirit of the American West is alive and well, and the thunder of steam still echoes across the beautiful San Luis Valley!

Legendary steam locomotive 489 makes her departure from Antonito on the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, sending an enormous column of smoke skyward as she begins another journey into the mountains.

But wait! There’s another beautiful piece of American history sharing the spotlight!

A gorgeous turquoise vintage pickup truck, a colorful reminder of America’s motoring past, sits alongside the railroad as if waiting to watch an old friend roll by.

Two incredible machines. Two different chapters of American history. One unforgettable photograph!

The dramatic black-and-white landscape makes that brilliant turquoise paint practically leap out of the picture, while the towering smoke plume reminds us that 489 is no ordinary antique. She’s a living, breathing, fire-eating machine still doing what she was built to do!

And in the distance, the snowcapped peaks of the mighty Sangre de Cristo Mountains stand watch over a scene that could have unfolded generations ago.

This is more than nostalgia. This is history refusing to fade away.

And perhaps the most beautiful part of all? Right here in our little hometown of Antonito, Colorado, we’re still keeping the magic of the Rio Grande alive!

Old trucks, steel rails, coal smoke, and the timeless beauty of the American West. It simply doesn’t get much better than this! 🚂❤️#twinkyllamas #twinkystateofcolorado #steam taken in Antonito, Colorado by @twinkyllamastwo

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7 days ago