Enjoy a deluxe 64-mile ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad’s Parlor car, complete with gourmet lunch and panoramic views. Discover why this six-hour train journey is a must-do for adventure seekers and history buffs.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Hang tight — photos are loading
This usually takes just a second.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels since the journey is seated and relaxed with minimal walking during stops.
Wildlife
History
This narrow-gauge railroad was built in the late 19th century to connect mining towns, preserving part of the rich railroad history of the American West.
Conservation
The railroad operates with careful respect for the natural environment, preserving historic equipment while minimizing ecological impact on the fragile mountain habitats.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Enjoy a deluxe 64-mile ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad’s Parlor car, complete with gourmet lunch and panoramic views. Discover why this six-hour train journey is a must-do for adventure seekers and history buffs.
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.
Arrive Early to Secure Seating
Parlor cars have limited seating, so plan to arrive early to get the best spots with optimal views.
Bring a Camera with a Zoom Lens
The open-air Gondola provides spectacular photo opportunities, so a zoom lens helps capture distant wildlife and landscapes.
Dress in Layers
Temperatures can vary significantly during the ride, especially in the open-air car, so layering helps keep you comfortable.
Limited Food Options Off-Train
Since lunch is provided on the train, there are few dining options in Antonito or Chama, so plan accordingly.
Layered Clothing
Regulate comfort as temperatures can shift during the ride and weather changes.
Camera with Zoom Lens
Capture distant wildlife and stunning landscape photography from the gondola.
Sun Hat and Sunglasses
Protect yourself from strong sun exposure, especially on the open-air car.
summer
Warm Gloves and Scarf
Keep warm in the cooler months during the open-air portion of the ride.
fall