Osier, Colorado
Encyclopedia
Osier is an old railroad settlement and train stop
that serves as a halfway point along the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
where trains from both ends of the line meet and stop for lunch, making it possible for passengers to either continue in the same direction or return to their point of origin afterwards.
This location by the Rio de Los Pinos river was the halfway point on the old toll road
from Conejos, Colorado
to Chama, New Mexico
, and can be reached by Forest Road 103 from Colorado State Highway 17
.
created Osier in the course of building the narrow gauge San Juan Extension from Alamosa, CO to Durango, CO.
The Rio Grande built several other structures at Osier including a section house, station
, water tank
, and bunk house. More recently the Rio Grande's successor, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
, built a kitchen and dining facility where passengers are served a hot lunch every day the trains are running (which is only during the summer season).
Osier was where six snowmobile
riders sought refuge after becoming lost in the Colorado backcountry in early January 2008. A snowstorm and threat of avalanche delayed rescuers, and the two families in the group broke into the kitchen where they found popcorn, chicken bouillon and gravy mix, keeping them alive until help could arrive.ABCNews article, found June 12, 2011
Train stop
Part of a railway signalling system, a train stop or trip stop is a train protection device that automatically stops a train if it attempts to pass a signal when the signal aspect and operating rules prohibit such movement, or if it attempts to pass at an excessive speed.- Basic operation :The...
that serves as a halfway point along the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a narrow gauge heritage railroad running between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. It runs over the Cumbres Pass, the highest point on a US passenger railway....
where trains from both ends of the line meet and stop for lunch, making it possible for passengers to either continue in the same direction or return to their point of origin afterwards.
This location by the Rio de Los Pinos river was the halfway point on the old toll road
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
from Conejos, Colorado
Conejos, Colorado
Conejos is a census-designated place, a U.S. Post Office, and the county seat of Conejos County, Colorado, United States. Conejos has the distinction of being the only unincorporated county seat in the State of Colorado. As of the 2010 Census, the CDP had a population of 58. The community is...
to Chama, New Mexico
Chama, New Mexico
Chama is a village in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,199 at the 2000 census. It is a small village, but tourism is starting to help the town's economy .-Geography:...
, and can be reached by Forest Road 103 from Colorado State Highway 17
Colorado State Highway 17
State Highway 17 is a long state highway in southern Colorado.-Route description:SH 17 is officially split into two parts by a stretch of concurrence with U.S. Highway 285. The first part of the route begins in the south at the New Mexico state line where the road becomes New Mexico State Road 17...
.
History
In 1878 the valley where Osier lies was the location of the toll gate for the Park View and Ft. Garland toll road. In 1880 the Denver and Rio Grande RailroadDenver and Rio Grande Western Railroad
The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad , often shortened to Rio Grande or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, is a defunct U.S. railroad company. The railroad started as a narrow gauge line running south from Denver, Colorado in 1870; however, served mainly as a transcontinental...
created Osier in the course of building the narrow gauge San Juan Extension from Alamosa, CO to Durango, CO.
The Rio Grande built several other structures at Osier including a section house, station
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
, water tank
Water tank
A Water tank is a container for storing water. The need for a water tank is as old as civilized man, providing storage of water for drinking water, irrigation agriculture, fire suppression, agricultural farming, both for plants and livestock, chemical manufacturing, food preparation as well as many...
, and bunk house. More recently the Rio Grande's successor, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a narrow gauge heritage railroad running between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. It runs over the Cumbres Pass, the highest point on a US passenger railway....
, built a kitchen and dining facility where passengers are served a hot lunch every day the trains are running (which is only during the summer season).
Osier was where six snowmobile
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
riders sought refuge after becoming lost in the Colorado backcountry in early January 2008. A snowstorm and threat of avalanche delayed rescuers, and the two families in the group broke into the kitchen where they found popcorn, chicken bouillon and gravy mix, keeping them alive until help could arrive.ABCNews article, found June 12, 2011
Location:
- Osier 37°0′44"N 106°20′9"W
Nearby locations along the Cumbres & Toltec:
- Cumbres PassCumbres PassCumbres Pass, elevation , is a mountain pass in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The pass is traversed by State Highway 17 and the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. The highway has a moderate 5.8% approach on the north side and a gentler, 4% approach on the south side...
37°01′10.4"N 106°26′53.4 "W - Toltec Gorge 36°59′3.9"N 106°18′22.2 "W
- Sublette Station 36°59′20"N 106°13′48"W