Capture stunning night portraits of historic locomotives and their crews in Antonito, Colorado. This specialized session reveals the human face of railroading under expertly staged nighttime lighting.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
No physical exertion required; suitable for all fitness levels
Wildlife
History
The Antonito rail lines date back to the early 1900s, serving as a vital alpine transit route.
Conservation
The event supports preserving railroad heritage by promoting responsible photography and minimal environmental impact after dark.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Capture stunning night portraits of historic locomotives and their crews in Antonito, Colorado. This specialized session reveals the human face of railroading under expertly staged nighttime lighting.
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.
Bring a sturdy tripod
Stable support is essential for sharp long-exposure night shots.
Use remote shutter release
Avoid camera shake during long exposures with a remote or timer.
Arrive early for setup
Scout your composition and set gear before darkness falls.
Wear layered clothing
Nighttime temperatures can drop quickly in Antonito, so dress warm.
DSLR or Mirrorless camera
Necessary for manual settings and long exposure capability.
Tripod
Stabilizes your camera for sharp images in low light.
Remote shutter release or timer
Prevents camera shake during exposures.
Warm clothing and headlamp
Keeps you comfortable and hands free during night shooting.
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