Travel on Board the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in New Mexico. Whether you’re a long-time railfan or you’d like to experience scenic railroad travel for the first time, you’ll appreciate a ride on board the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in New Mexico. This historic narrow gauge railroad offers excursions between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado.
The original Cumbres & Toltec Railroad track was constructed by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in 1880. As the narrow gauge track became obsolete, the original track began to be dismantled and abandoned. Historic rail enthusiasts played a key role in the preservation of the narrow gauge heritage railroad. In 1970, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad began tourist operations.
Steam locomotives power the rail journeys between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad serves not only as a fascinating means of transportation along incredibly scenic routes, but also as a living museum.
Railfans will delight not only in their time spent on board the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, but in the village of Chama itself. The railroad yard at Chama is largely intact, and visitors have a unique opportunity to experience a 1960 or earlier era railyard here.
Today the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad consists of 64 miles of the original Denver and Rio Grande Western trackage. The Railroad has its headquarters in Chama, which serves as its center of operations. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad tours are available 7 days a week from late May through mid-October.
The scenery you will view on your ride aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will vary according to your route. Tunnels and trestles, steep mountain climbs, gorges and valley views are some of the highlights you can look forward to during your journey. You may also spot a variety of wildlife including hawks and eagles, mule deer and antelope, coyotes, foxes, mountain lions or bears. You are practically guaranteed to spot range cattle, as well.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad trains depart from both Chama and Antonito, with meetings at Osier. This enables passengers to choose among several trip options. You can travel one-way across the entire Railroad line and return by motorcoach, or take a round trip from either Chama or Antonito and back with a stop in Osier. Additional excursions are also scheduled throughout the season.
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Last June (09) we booked the ‘Parlor Car’ from Chama to Antonito. When we booked we made it clear we would be staying in Taos and wanted to drive to the closest depot. Our trip was scheduled for 2 October and when we arrived at the Chama Depot, they had sold our Parlor Car seats. Since all seats were taken we had to ride in the Caboose with three other couples in the same situation with no service at all. One of the wheels on the car had a flat spot in it so we listened and felt the thump of it for five hours. When we complained to the company they offered us a 10% discount on ONE ticket for a future booking. Needless to say there won’t be a future booking as this was totally unsat. As a result we would never recommend this railroad to anyone. If you do book, make sure your seat is written in stone.