cumbres & toltec scenic railroad

The Cumbers & Toltec Scenic RR is utopia for narrow gauge steam fans! The equipment is in great shape and appears as it would have in the late 1800's. Scenery is spectacular!

This was a great way to spend the day. My husband I took this tour in early August as part of our honeymoon adventure and had a wonderful time. The tour really gives your a respect for the former time during the rule of the railroad and what the machinery and men accomplished.You can tell that the volunteers take great pride in what they do and have a wonderful time doing it.The scenery was breathtaking. It's awesome to see the scenery change from the plains and desert of the San Luis Valley to the high altitude and mountains of Osiers Pass.We paid extra for the Tourist Car, which was nice to have a private table and chairs. You get unlimited beverages and some light snacks (i.e. grocery store doughnuts), but, more importantly, the car is adjacent to the open air car where you can take in all the scenery, the smells, and the air. They also have a docent who narrates the trip and tells you what the important landmarks are, their history, and the history of the area.The only reason I don't give it an Excellent rating is because of the lunch. Lunch is provided at the top of Osiers Pass. It's a well-run operation, but don't expect anything great. It's actually a flashback to the cafeteria days of elementary school, you even get your lunch served on a cafeteria tray. Personally, I think they would be better served to offer sandwiches and chips, but they feel it's important to offer a hot lunch. Again, you aren't doing the tour for the food, but the scenery and the experience.

The ride on the Cumbers and Toltec Railroad was amazing. While we have traveled to Colorado many times we were never able to schedule a fall trip to see the beauty of fall colors. We hoped this ride to higher elevations would allow us to see the aspen in their fall colors. Leaving Antonito, the scenery is rather unremarkable but we did watch a herd of antelope running across the plain. Once we got onto the mountains, the ride becomes more scenic. As you approach the 9,000-10,000 ft. elevation, the fall colors, especially the aspen, seem to appear everywhere just beautiful. A fall ride is highly recommended. About three hours from Antonito, the train stops for lunch in Osier. The food is hot, plentiful and generally very tasty. No gourmet cooking but you will leave satisfied.The ride continues through the mountains and eventually to Chama. The route of the train allows one spectacular valley views not usually available by car. Our train arrived in Chama about 4:30PM to waiting buses for the return trip to Antonito. Unfortunately, there was no time to do any sightseeing in Chama. The bus ride in the rain was uneventful until as we approached Antonito, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the eastern sky. A fitting ending to a great day

I rode this train several years ago and have attended steam fest (triple header) trains and numerous other viewing events. This is a fun train to tide very scenic. It going over Cumbres Pass makes it the highest working narrow gage railroad! Great family trip

After having ridden on the Durango & Silverton Scenic Railroad a couple of years ago, my husband and I planned another vacation to Colorado specifically to ride Cumbres & Toltec. Because we were traveling Fourth of July weekend, we purchased the tickets about 6 months in advance to be sure of availability. We drove in the night before and stayed overnight at the Hampton Inn in Alamosa, about 30 minutes away. We arrived early the next morning and experienced no difficulties with our reservation; they were expecting us and were prepared to load a wheelchair on the train. We were in the front end of the car with the snack bar, next to a restroom, where there are no fixed seats so a wheelchair can park right in front of the window. The scenery was incredible - just what we were expecting: Rolling desert plains, volcanic mounds, aspen-covered mountain passes, deep valleys with sparkling streams, and wildlife like deer, elk, and pronghorn. Even an afternoon thundershower didn't dampen our spirits. A helpful docent was walking up and down through the train providing information about the railroad and answering questions. My husband enjoyed standing on the balcony on the end of our car and watching and photographing the steam engine. We thoroughly enjoyed it and I would have rated the experience as "excellent" except: Being in the snack bar car meant there was a lot of traffic walking by us to get snacks or access the open-air car behind us. We got to Osier late and felt rushed through lunch. The lunch was not as lavish as the website advertised. The staff was preparing for a big 4th of July party that evening and we stopped at Cumbres Pass to offload supplies; subsequently we were late arriving at Chama and had to board the bus immediately for our return to Antonito. We did not have time to see anything at Chama. Once the bus arrived at Antonito, only one staff person was left there to help get the wheelchair off the bus and didn't know what to do - she had to call for help and this took about 20 minutes.

If you have ANY interest in railroads or if you just appreciate beautiful scenery, then this ride is for you. It's a very expensive proposition to maintain the rolling stock as well as the right of way, so they really need your support. There are numerous "scenic railroads" around the country, but a dwindling number that use steam locomotives. My father (who was an engineer with the Santa Fe) always said, "Engines lost their personality when they switched from steam to diesel." The Cumbres & Toltec has lots of personality!!!

This is a remarkable experience, especially during fall foliage time ( early Oct.)The train ride was amazing, the staff very nice and helpful, the passengers alsovery friendly. The ouch was spectacular, make sure you go hungry, lots of disheshomemade by local ladies. There was a delay due to an engine problem, but it washandled. It did make us very late getting back, which made the day a little too long,but stuff happens sometimes. I recommend you stay in Chama after the train trip, because you will be very tired. We drove late to Santa Fe in the dark, and it was just too much. I recommend you take the train from Chama to Antonito and the bus fromAntonito to Chama. When you make your reservations, ask to sit on the right side ofthe car, the views are much better going in that direction. Also, make sure you spend some time on the open air gondola car to take wonderful photos- it's fun. We enjoyed the Parlor Car, veryluxurious, but the other cars seemed nice too. This is a long day, so rethink this if travelingwith impatient kids. The town of Chama is rustic and the hotels are basic, nothing too nice.We stayed at The Branding Iron Motel, which seemed to be adequate.

I drove to Antonito take a trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad I arrived at the appropriately named Steam Train Hotel for the night. My friendly host Michael gave me a 20% reduction because I was taking the train then could not find the keys to my room so moved me to room 8. This proved to a less than desirable switch as it was close to the breakfast room and my sleep was disrupted at 5:30 by early rising truckers who seemed to talk very loudly over their cereal. The web site for the rail trip featured a number of options, some leaving from one station, some from another, some including the bus, some leaving at 8:30 and some at 10:00.I decided on the later departure and to travel both ways by train. Despite my early awakening by the inconsiderate truckers, It was then I found out the trip included lunch at the half way point when we stopped for an hour. I did begin to wonder how the train could get there and back in one day but pushed it out of my mind to find my seat. The attendant advised me I could choose any seat in car D. This seemed strange as all the other seats were pre-assigned however it all became clear when I found the carriage. It was the buffet car where could purchase refreshments. It had a nice washroom and eight comfortable, movable lounge chairs. I chose the one in the best position, and felt fortunate to be in what felt like "business class". I left my pack on the chair and went out to view the magnificent locomotive - snorting and snarling, black smoke gushing out of the stack. It was a Baldwin K-36 built in 1925 hauling vintage cars. It felt like taking a step back into the Wild West. The trip began with a slight hitch. When the conductor checked my ticket he told me that I had only booked half way, the only way you can take the train in both directions in a single day. He was wonderfully helpful in rearranging my booking to go all the way and return by bus. I had to let go of some judgment about how I could possibly have thought this old steamer travelling at walking speed up the steep grades could travel the 64 miles both ways in a day. I worked out later the average speed is 10.4 miles an hour. The trip lived up to its reputation. It was gloriously scenic - ranging from arid desert, to sparse pine forest changing to the wonder of bright yellow aspen covered slopes, to intense forest and wide alpine meadows and the deep Toltec Gorge. At times as we ascended, the train bent back on itself and shuddered under the strain of ascent as black smoke and soot covered the open car where passengers could stand and take pictures. I soon returned to my comfortable seat where I could stand and shoot pictures through my opened window. We stopped for lunch at Osier, an old maintenance depot that is only accessible by rail. Lunch was in a huge mess hall built to protect tourists from summer thunderstorms. By the time we arrived azure blue skies had changed to grey. We had climbed up to 9600 feet with a further so we had already climbed 1,700 feet from Antonito with a further 600 ft to go to the Cumbres Pass. The trip down the other side to Chama was a steep 4% grade and the train made a stately descent under air brakes the whole time. Every now and again it would jerk to a complete stop so the engineer could recharge the brakes. I spent more time outside as the engine no longer emitted black smoke just steam. Just after 4:15 we pulled into Chama and climbed into waiting buses for a trip over two 10,000 ft passes that took us only an hour compared to six hours by rail. By 5:45 I was on the road for the 2.5 hour drive to my friends place south of Santa Fe.

My wife and I took a ride on the railroad while we were on out honeymoon. The views were awesome the ride was comfortable, and to top it all off the food was delicious.

I've been on this train ride many times. I don't live too far, so anytime I'm really stressed, I make it a weekend getaway. It's a very long ride, with varying landscapes and sights, and especially in the fall, when the trees are turning, it's beautiful. The little snack bar is nice, and the people who work there are usually friendly. The buffet-style lunch at Osier is a highlight. One thing was disappointing, though. I usually enjoy riding on the outdoor car, watching the landscape go by. Years ago, they would have very friendly docents who would come up to you, tell you stories about the line and answer questions. Now, though, they use loudspeakers that are very impersonal and annoying, especially if you have already heard those stories several times before. I ended up just standing on the platform between two cars to get some peace and quiet. It would be better to have one outdoor care with a loudspeaker and one without so people can choose.

This fall the colors were great. We hit the right day. It was a trip of a life time. It was well worth the time and effort. Even without the fall color, this is an interesting trip.

Beautiful scenery, what a wonderful way to see the Colorado fall colors. Would be a beautiful trip no matter the season, will ride again in summer next year after experiencing a fall ride this year. Riding in the open car is our preferred method of travel but it is nice to be able to go into the covered cars if it gets chilly. Bring sunglasses or eye protection as the cinders can get into your eyes easily. Eye protection available for purchase at the station and also on the train. Check your "time schedule" at the door, vintage trains don't always run "on time" so sit back, relax and enjoy being unplugged for a day. Lunch break in Osier is well managed and delicious. The staff was amazing. The volunteers that give "narration" are knowledgeable and happy to answer all questions. Take the round trip, worth the extra $$. Round trip requires a comfortable coach bus ride on one end of the trip. Gift shops available at both stations and at the lunch stop. The staff is friendly and attentive.

We drove to Colorado to ride the railroad before heading south into New Mexico. I spoke to a lady on the phone the day before, as soon as we got to Alamosa. She said they hardly had any reservations, just get there early the next day. We got there and they only had 1 spot open. The lady that morning was really rude about it, too. They over booked and other people who had reservations did not get to ride either. I'm not sure if we will try again, especially if they have people handling Customer Service.

Spectacular Colorado and New Mexico Mountain scenery up and over the pass on a vintage steam train. Bring your warm coat even in the summer. The railroad, even though a hundred years old is in very good and safe condition. People running the railroad are friendly and will do everything to make your trip enjoyable. And the included lunch in Osier is truly outstanding. Highly recommended.

Friendly staff. Beautiful scenery from high desert to pine & aspen filled mountains! Old steam train is an awesome step back in history . (I would not let elderly or real young go from car to car though) I recommend the entire trip not a half way, it's worth it.