Experience Victorian elegance and spectacular wilderness views aboard the Chama Limited Parlor Car. Enjoy gourmet refreshments and open-air sightseeing on this scenic New Mexico adventure.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
5–6 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness needed since this is a seated train experience with minimal physical activity.
Wildlife
History
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has operated since the early 1900s, preserving historic steam engines and offering a glimpse into early railroad travel in the American Southwest.
Conservation
The railroad supports local conservation efforts by maintaining habitat along the route and educating visitors about responsible wildlife viewing.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Experience Victorian elegance and spectacular wilderness views aboard the Chama Limited Parlor Car. Enjoy gourmet refreshments and open-air sightseeing on this scenic New Mexico adventure.
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 Seat Preferences
Arrive at the depot at least 30 minutes early to select your preferred seating in the Parlor or Gondola Car.
Bring a Camera with Zoom Lens
Wildlife sightings are common, so a camera with a zoom lens will help capture distant animals and scenic views.
Dress in Layers
Temperatures can change quickly aboard the train, especially in open-air gondola cars, so wear layers for comfort.
Check Weather Before You Go
Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. Monitor forecasts to prepare appropriately for your trip.
Layered Clothing
Provides comfort against variable temperatures aboard open and enclosed cars.
Binoculars
Ideal for spotting distant wildlife and scenic details along the route.
Camera with Zoom Lens
To capture high-quality photos of wildlife and landscapes.
Sun Protection
Includes sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses to protect from strong mountain sun exposure.
summer