Travel in Victorian elegance on the Antonito Limited Parlor Car in Colorado. Enjoy luxury, scenic views, and wildlife sightings on this unforgettable rail journey.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels, as this is a seated rail experience with minimal physical exertion required.
Wildlife
History
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad was originally built in the late 1800s to connect mining towns and remains one of the last preserved narrow-gauge railways in the U.S.
Conservation
The railroad partners with local organizations to protect the surrounding ecosystems and minimize environmental impact, promoting sustainable tourism.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Travel in Victorian elegance on the Antonito Limited Parlor Car in Colorado. Enjoy luxury, scenic views, and wildlife sightings on this unforgettable rail journey.
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.
Book in advance
This popular experience fills quickly, especially during peak seasons, so reserve your spot early.
Bring a camera
The open-air Gondola Car offers fantastic photo opportunities, so have your camera ready to capture wildlife and landscapes.
Dress in layers
Temperatures can vary significantly from train stations to high elevations, so dress for changing weather conditions.
Arrive early
Plan to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure for a smooth boarding experience.
Camera or smartphone
Capture the breathtaking scenery and wildlife during your journey.
Layered clothing
Prepare for variable temperatures both inside the car and at outdoor viewing spots.
Sunscreen
Protect your skin from UV rays during sunny spring days.
spring
Binoculars
Enhance wildlife spotting and enjoy distant mountain views.