Adventure Brief
Step aboard a historic train for a luxury journey through New Mexico’s scenic Chama region. Enjoy panoramic views, a hot lunch, and expert guided insights on this unforgettable tour.
6–7 hours
easy
From $310.75
Family Friendly
Step aboard a historic train for a luxury journey through New Mexico’s scenic Chama region. Enjoy panoramic views, a hot lunch, and expert guided insights on this unforgettable tour.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
6–7 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for individuals of all fitness levels as the activity requires minimal physical effort; mainly seated travel with short, flat walks.
Wildlife
History
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a historic narrow-gauge railway that dates back to 1880, originally built to serve mining communities.
Conservation
The railroad maintains a commitment to sustainable tourism by preserving historic equipment and protecting the surrounding natural habitats.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Step aboard a historic train for a luxury journey through New Mexico’s scenic Chama region. Enjoy panoramic views, a hot lunch, and expert guided insights on this unforgettable tour.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a heritage railroad based in Antonito, Colorado, that operates scheduled scenic train experiences across the historic Cumbres Pass corridor. The railroad runs vintage 19th-century train cars and operates the historic locomotive 168 on select departures, delivering authentic steam-era travel through high mountain landscapes.
Trips include themed dinner and wine trains, deluxe and parlor-car Cumbres Express services, coach and open-air gondola options, geology-focused excursions, one-way journeys between Chama and Cumbres, and combined bus–train itineraries covering the Antonito–Chama route. Many departures feature a hot lunch or dinner at Osier station, interpretive commentary from knowledgeable guides, and opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.
The railroad highlights the region’s geology, historic trestles, and sweeping mountain vistas while preserving original rolling stock and track alignment. Visitors travel across iconic structures such as the Wolf Creek trestle and ascend Cumbres Pass, experiencing panoramic views of the Rio Grande Rift and surrounding peaks.
Tickets are offered for specific named departures, including Dinner & Beer Train, 168 Dinner & Wine Train, Cumbres Express (Deluxe, Parlor, Coach), Continental Divide and Geology trains, and All Aboard Antonito one-way combinations. Passengers can choose seating classes ranging from coach to premium parlor cars and open-air gondolas for unobstructed scenery.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad emphasizes historic preservation, guided interpretation, and curated dining options to create memorable, authentic western railroad journeys from Antonito, Colorado. Reservations and ticketing details are available through channels for each named departure and seating class. Plan ahead for limited seating on popular dates.
Base Location
Antonito, CO
Station departure city for many trips
Trips Offered
11 unique trips
Dinner trains to geology excursions
Route Length
64 miles
Antonito–Chama scenic corridor
Historic Equipment
19th-century cars & 168
Authentic steam-era experience
Reserve seats for dinner trains, geology excursions, or the Cumbres Express — authentic mountain vistas and historic steam locomotives await.
Reserve Your Seat Early
The Parlor Car offers limited seating and fills up quickly, so book well in advance to secure your preferred spot.
Dress in Layers
Weather can vary significantly at higher elevations; bring layers to stay comfortable both indoors and on the open-air Gondola.
Arrive Early for Boarding
Allow extra time for parking and to explore the charming Chama station before your departure.
Bring a Camera with Good Zoom
Capture wildlife and distant scenic views along the route by bringing a camera equipped for detailed shots.
Layered Clothing
To stay comfortable through temperature changes on and off the train.
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Binoculars
Enhance wildlife and distant mountain viewing along the route.
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Camera
Capture stunning landscapes, historic cars, and wildlife moments.
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Sun Protection
Wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself during sunny stretches, especially on the open-air Gondola.
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