Bridge fire disrupts tourist railroad

CHAMA, N.M. (KRQE) - Steam-powered trains on the New Mexico side of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic railroad have been cancelled after a fire destroyed ties and track structure on a high bridge in the San Juan Mountains.

Late Thursday a brush fire continued to burn beneath the Lobato Bridge fed by flaming debris still falling from the trestle and covered about two acres, according to New Mexico State Forestry. The rugged canyon about four miles north of Chama is a tough haul for water, and the bridge is too dangerous for firefighters, according to officials.

The steel-support bridge is about 100 fee above Wolf Creek.

Trains from Chama have been annulled with no estimate of when service will resume. C&TS trains continue to run from Antonito, Colo., and passengers with Chama tickets are being offered a bus shuttle.

The 64-mile line snakes along the New Mexico and Colorado border hauling passengers behind nearly 90-year-old steam engines that once worked the line when it was the Durango and Rio Grande Western Railroad.

The cause of the fire discovered Wednesday night remains under investigation.

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According to Archie Vigil, mayor of Chama, a Cumbres and Toltec train trestle is burning. The Lobato trestle is about three miles outside of Chama.

Vigil referred to the bridge as "burned out." An inspector on the scene said the fire made it impassable to trains. It was initially unclear whether the main structure had suffered damage or whether the fire was confined to the wooden ties and framing of the roadbed over the steel-framed structure. There are still a few fire trucks on the scene.

Officials do not know when started the fire as of right now, however New Mexico State Police Lt. Eric Garcia said there were aerial fireworks in that area around 9 p.m. Wednesday. Witnesses said they heard an "explosion." About an hour after they hear this, the trestle was on fire.

According to Garcia, the bridge is still burning as of 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

“This devastating event will force us to suspend routine operations out of the Chama Depot for an undetermined length of time,” said Elmer Salazar, president and CEO of the railroad management company in a press release. “We will design alternative ride experiences for our passengers in the near term while doing everything possible to restore the trestle to full operational capacity as quickly as possible.”

As an initial interim measure, Chama passengers will be offered the option to be bused to Antonito, CO for the route starting on the Colorado end of the two-state line. The Cinder Bear Express children’s train, scheduled for 11:00 am will run at the appointed time. Westbound Passenger Train Service from Antonito, Colorado remains intact, however, as a half way excursion to the routine midway lunch-stop Osier, Colorado with return to Antonito.

The rail line put out a press release Thursday morning. Read the full release here...

KRQE News 13 is sending a crew to the scene and will post updates as they become available.