Discover the Authentic West aboard the Deluxe car on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Chama, New Mexico. Enjoy open-air views, historic stories, and premium comfort on this unique scenic journey.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
4–6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels, mostly seated with minimal walking required.
Wildlife
History
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad preserves early 20th-century railroad heritage, running through historic mountain passes once vital to mining and logging industries.
Conservation
Efforts are made to preserve the natural environment and historic infrastructure, reducing emissions through steam technology upgrades and promoting responsible tourism.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Discover the Authentic West aboard the Deluxe car on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Chama, New Mexico. Enjoy open-air views, historic stories, and premium comfort on this unique scenic 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.
Reserve Your Tickets Early
The Deluxe car has limited seating and sells out fast, so book well in advance to secure your spot.
Dress in Layers
Mountain weather can change quickly, so bring layers to stay comfortable during the ride.
Bring a Camera
The open-air gondola offers amazing photo opportunities of the rugged scenery and wildlife.
Arrive Early for Boarding
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure to ensure smooth check-in and seating selection.
Layered Clothing
Adjust layers to adapt to changing weather during the journey.
Camera or Smartphone
Capture breathtaking views from the Open-Air Gondola and train car.
Sunglasses
Protect your eyes from the strong summer sun while enjoying panoramic views.
summer
Reusable Water Bottle
Stay hydrated throughout the ride, especially on warm days.