This scenic railroad is owned by the states of New Mexico and Colorado.
It is said to be the best preserved steam era railroad in North America. It was built in 1880 and today hasn’t changed much.
The original narrow gauge extended from Denver to Santa Fe to Silverton.
Today it is a 64 mile portion that runs from Chama New Mexico to Antonito Colorado and from Antonito Colorado to Chama New Mexico (see schedule below).
In the 1960's a group of citizens and the two state governments of New Mexico and Colorado established a joint commission to oversee the railroad thus saving it from extinction.
Today the railroad is operated by Rio Grande Railway Preservation Corporation which is a non-profit organization.
Typically the season for the train operation is Memorial Day weekend to the middle of October.
The authentic steam locomotives carry visitors daily thru magnificent mountain vistas of the San Juan Mountains, Toltec Gorge, and the Rio Grande Valley.
In the town of Chama and other stops along the way, visitors can watch the day to day activities of the old railroad days. They can also tour buildings that were a part of the railroad workings.
The entire railroad is a National Historic Site. It is the longest narrow gauge railroad in North America.
The Cumbres and Toltec railroad goes thru four historic sites along its path. They are the Chama yard, Cumbres, Colorado, Osier Colorado and Sublette, New Mexico.
On Saturdays and Tuesdays, one train departs from Chama, New Mexico at 10:00 a.m., running the length of the line to Antonito. On these days, the C&TS offers a one-hour bus ride from Antonito to Chama, over La Manga Pass, with train return. You may also elect to ride the train from Chama to Antonito and provide your own return transportation.
On Sundays and Wednesdays, one train departs from Antonito, Colorado at 10:00 a.m., running the length of the line to Chama. The C&TS offers a one-hour bus ride from Chama to Antonito, with train return. Or you may provide your own return transportation.
You should make your reservations early--at least two weeks in advance during the fall color season. By purchasing ahead of time, your tickets can be mailed so that you can avoid lines at the ticket counter. If you do plan to buy your tickets at one of the stations, please arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. on weekends.
The fares for both directions are Adult $62 Child $32, Parlor Car $101 (plus $2 fire surpression surcharge and a lunch stop is made in Osier Colorado.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-888-CUMBRES. They state tickets can be bought on their website, but when I went on it, it did not work. Their website is www.cumbrestoltec.com.
All aboard! For a historic, scenic piece of southwestern culture you will never forget.
Durango & Silverton Railroad
The Durango Silverton Line began in 1892 and was used for both passengers and freight. The freight that was carried was mostly mine ores such as gold and silver from the San Juan Mountains.
By 1947 the railroad was in danger of being abandoned, but a group of people did not let that happen and they kept it alive promoting tourism in the area.
Several movies were made in the area casting the train such as "Around the World in 80 Days", "Ticket to Tomahawk" and "Viva Zapata".
In 1969 the tracks south of Durango were abandoned although Hollywood still used the railroad in their filming for movies such as of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
On the 100th anniversary, the line was purchased and the restoration of the engine was done. This put the line in service as it is today.
In the Summer Season (May 10 – October 31) the train operates from Durango (depending on the months in Summer- please call for specifics)
- 8:00 am arriving in Silverton at 11:45 am
- 9:00 am arriving in Silverton at 12:30pm
- 9:45 am arriving in Silverton at 1:15 pm
The train operates from Silverton in the Summer Season
(Once again depending on which months please call for specifics)
- 2:00pm arriving in Durango at 5: 30pm
- 2:45 pm arriving in Durango at 6:15pm
- 3:30 pm arriving in Durango at 7:00pm
Tickets for coach seating is $60 for adults and children 5 – 11 $30
First Class Parlor car 21 Yrs. + $99 includes champagne, croissants and nonalcoholic beverages
In the Winter Season (November 26 – May 7) the train operated from Durango to Cascade Station and back. The train stops at the banks of the Animas River where the visitors have wine, cheese, micro-brewed beer, and cider. Lunch items are available on the train back.
12:00 noon – 5:15
Tickets for coach seating is $54 for adults and children 5 - $27
First Class Parlor Car Service: $89 per adult. (Adults over age) Includes complimentary non-alcoholic beverages throughout the trip plus croissants and champagne upon departure.
The Durango Silverton Railroad also has a selection of theme train rides that include an evening train ride, high noon ride with wine and cheese reception, fall foliage train, a Santa train, and New Year’s Evening Train.
One of the more popular with the kids is the Thomas the Train Ride. This year it ran from June 14- 16 and 20 – 22. This ride departs every morning at 9:15 and every 45 minutes after until 3:30pm for a 30 minutes ride.
It includes meeting a Thomas the Train character, entertainment, movies and a variety of other activities
Check the website or call for dates 1-888- 872-4607 or www.durangotrain.com.
The Durango Silverton Train like these other New Mexico Colorado trains bring the visitor a taste of the southwest"s history, and beauty unlike any other experience.
The Santa Fe Southern Railway
Known as "The Santa Fe", the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway came to Santa Fe in 1880.
Since 1992 this rail has been known as the Santa Fe Southern Railway.
This 120 year old Spur contains vintage cars, a flat car for true all-around viewing with the wind in your hair, and when attached the "sky car" with windows everywhere giving you a view of the sky and all.
This piece of history carries passengers through the high desert beauty of Santa Fe to Lamy and also carries freight to serve the community.
This same route once carried early tourist adventurers, settlers, artists and scientists into the city.
The historic depot itself also has been a part of history and many an artist's subject. Its
California Mission style architecture is not to be forgotten.
The Scenic Train runs from April to October. Depending on the day of the week (Check the website www.sfsr.com or call 888 989 8600) the train runs from 10:30 – 3:00pm and 1:00pm – 5:00pm.
The tickets are $28 - $50 (depending on the car) for adults and $14 - $35 for children
Theme trains are priced differently (check the website at www.sfsr.com)
This Railway also has an assortment of theme rides which must be experienced if you are in Santa Fe during these times.
They have a BBQ train in the summer most Saturdays where a BBQ dinner is served with music at the Lamy station. There is High Ball train, An Easter Train, Mother"s Day Train, Memorial Day Train, Father's Day Train, Fourth of July BBQ and Fireworks Train, Valentines" Day Train and St Patrick's Day Train , Halloween Train, Day of the Dead Train, and Santa Train just to new some of the selections.
This little train that could is a family or couple experience not to be forgotten.
All these trains give the passenger a taste of nostalgia and feel a part of the "Old West" as it was truly lived. I hope you get a change to try one or all three of these entertaining memorable rides in New Mexico and Colorado.
Eileen Richardson
