The excursion was produced by Train Tours Unlimited of Reno, Nevada. The details were executed to perfection by the Train Tours personnel during all facets of the expedition. There were 12 photo run-bys so the passenger list was confined to adult railfans and limited to total tickets sold.
La Veta Pass is on the former Denver and Rio Grande running from Alamosa to La Veta, now served by the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad (SLRG). The passenger trains are a joint venture between the Denver & Rio Grande Historical Society (DRGHS and the SLRG. Confused? The SLRG also hauls freight in and out of the valley using 3900 HP GE's and former Amtrak F40PHS.
The steam special is pulled by former Southern Pacific 1744, a 2-6-0 built in 1901. The cars are a mix of former commuter cars with the exception of the RPO. It is a mid-50s product from Budd and still has some of the original wood flooring and mail bins intact.