It is the longest, highest narrow gauge railroad. Rail tracks were put down in 1880, it went from Denver to the Rio Grand. Toltec pass was over 10,015. Riding on the train and looking at at how narrow the tracks were and the mountains sides where they were cut out to make the rail line. We sat in the parlor car ( last car on the train) you could go out back on the train and take pictures. When we enter our car our hostess ( I forgot her name) w met us with a friendly smile. Where each person sat there was a fresh donut, water bottle, and a small insulated bag. The in side of the car was beautiful redone. We passed old telegraph poles, and the tiny little office where the telegraph person worked. We had a truck followed us with fire equipment on it in case the train caused sparks to start a fire. Then a little fire car followed us when the truck could not. Thought that was interesting. We passed so much beautiful green fields, mountains and a lot of Aspens. I bet it is beautiful in the fall. We arrived at a restaurant train stop for a delicious lunch of either chicken or meatloaf. Best meatloaf I have had in a long time. Served by a bunch of cowboys from Texas. The trip back was relaxing and we decided to have a Bloody Mary, delicious. Saw a lot of Elk on the way up and back. Well worth the trip. So many decanted volunteers that have work so hard to keep trains like this running. read more

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Terrible! DO NOT book the parlor car! We did today, and got on the correct car with our tickets. No one acknowledged us and we were alone in the car. Finally a docent came over saying, "Sorry, but you can't be in here." We said we had tickets and showed her. 5-10 minutes later she apologized and said she could take care of us, but we weren't on the manifest (even with our tickets) so she'd be in the other car, moving back and forth. We would've missed all the fun information and tour, which had already been given to the other cars, should we have stayed. Or it was offered that we move to the other car, which was 200.00 cheaper, with no mention of a credit or refund. So we got off, and asked for a refund. No apologies were given. It was an awful walk of shame past an otherwise full train as we heard the workers on the radio talking about us disembarking! They were not prepared for us, and it was a 600.00 waste. read more

Board the train was easy. There were convenient restrooms and gift shops at the station. There was a canteen bar for snacks and drinks inside the train, as well as restroom was also convenient. A guide was available to explain what we were seeing. The views were fantastic! There was a stop midway, for a delicious buffet lunch. There was an open car for outdoor viewing. Windows easily opened. read more

This was a very interesting train ride with awesome scenery and some interesting facts. The lunch buffet halfway through the ride was as good as it gets. They offered all types of food for varied diets read more

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The way that we did it was to take the bus that departs at 8:30 from Chama to Antonito and then ride the train back to Chama. As you'll see from the other reviews, it is wonderful and highly recommended and so for that reason, I'll talk about something else that may not be mentioned by others. The stop for lunch with the included buffet is very very good. Impressively good.So save some room for a very fine lunch en route. read more

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We stopped by here on a Saturday at 10am, hoping to see the train off. But it closed. We walked around the yellow building, seeing coal tower which is rare. Old but charming. read more

My little family & I really enjoyed our trip aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. We were in Antonito, CO by 8AM to checkin as I was notified to be so we could ride about one hour to Chama, NM, via charter bus. As soon as we arrived at the train station, we had enough time for a restroom break, then it was all aboard engine #484. Our first docent in deluxe car B was awesome! She was funny. Pointed out features and historical facts in a timely manner. She had breakfast pastries out for us before we sat down. The docent we had after our halfway point was terrible. The precipitation the area has been receiving as of June 27, 2024, made the ride much more enjoyable. It was gorgeous. The buffet lunch at Osier was surprisingly delicious. Two adult and two child tickets for the whole ordeal was not cheap: $711.90 which included historical preservation fees in addition to other fees. I just wish the chairs were more comfortable and adult beverages could be drank in the deluxe cars. We arrived back in Antonito at about 4:30PM. I probably won't do it again for a long time if ever again, but I have amazing photos of my daughters and memories I hope I'll not soon forget. Highly recommend. read more

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What a fun experience! Did the train ride from Chama, NM to Antonito, CO at the prime time of the leaves changing ... totally worth it! Locomotive 484 is a coal burning locomotive. Spectacular views on the way. They have an open viewing car which I spent most of the time enjoying the sunshine and breeze.... Plus spaces in between cars that you can stand and enjoy the ride. This route stops in Osier station where your ticket includes a buffet lunch (impressively tasty with lots of options for a buffet) . The coach class seats are a little snug and a few seats have seen some wear... but they do have other 'luxury options'... but personally I was fine and had fun in coach. Packaged snacks and drinks available for purchase and nothing stopping you from bring snacks etc if you wanted to (highly suggest). Once you arrive in Antonito, you get a comfortable bus ride back to Chama if you want with additional spectacular views of nature. I must confess that the last hour into Antonito was not as dazzling with fall colors or foliage that would render this (think more desert like)... but nature is nature and if you allow yourself to appreciate your space.., the last hour can be a wonderful time to reflect or rest your body with a nap. Highly recommend for an experience. read more

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Amazing! 10/10 recommend. We did the limited left at 10am returns at 420pm. The staff and volunteers are all helpful and nice. The views are stunning and spectacular. We ended up in coach since it was the only available tickets and it was great. The coach seats are large and comfortable. They are as good or better than the other classes IMO. The windows are large and can open. You will have gorgeous scenery on either side. Then the bonus is a buffet lunch at the midway point. The food was really good! Plenty of food and again really nice people. Highly recommend! read more

My wife and I rode this train on Friday, October 7, 2022. We left Chama, New Mexico at 10:00 AM. For each ticket we paid $155 for a trip to Antonito, Colorado, with a lunch stop in Osier, Colorado, included. The train would leave Osier at 1:45 PM and we would ride a bus back to Chama from Antonito that departed at 4:45 PM. So total time on the train was about 6.5 hours minus an hour and forty-five minutes for lunch. Let me say that the first week of October is by far the prime time to ride this train to see the fall colors. The yellows and reds were stunning. See my attached photos. We had ridden the Durango-Silverton train before and this one beat it by leaps and bounds for scenic beauty. The train winds through tunnels, over trestles, through canyons, and gains altitude slowly by winding through mountain passes. If you are outside, you will have coal fragments belched on you, but that's part of the fun. There was an uncovered car towards the back of the train to stand on to take photographs, but there were plenty of opportunities to stand on the platform between train cars and take them as well. I took plenty of photos of aspens and the landscapes surrounding our moving train. A good DSLR camera was a must to stop the action. Our train stopped at noon in Osier. This consisted of a few scattered buildings and a giant mess hall where we ate lunch. A cafeteria lunch awaited us with water, iced tea, and lemonade to drink. A salad, pinto beans, corn were the sides with pulled pork, chicken and blue corn vegetarian enchiladas as the main dishes. For dessert, apple cobbler. Lunch tasted average, nothing special stood out, but it was filling. Some history: the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad started as a section of the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad in 1880. In 1970 it became the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad when the States of Colorado and New Mexico bought the section of track and equipment. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has been in continuous service ever since. If you want to ride the train, book in advance on their website. Excursions run from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. I would definitely recommend booking the first week in October for those gorgeous, prime fall colors. read more

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We rode on Oct 9, 2023. Best train ride we have ever taken. The fall colors were beautiful. We were very comfortable. The Docents informed us of significant sites and the history. The lunch at Osier was great. Very well organized, delicious food, could go back for 2nds or 3rds if wanted, plenty of time to eat then walk around and see the historic buildings. Windows were clean so could take good pictures and we could stand on platform between cars for pictures and the fresh air. Love hearing the train whistle and hearing the steam locomotive chugging up the grade. The bus ride back to Chama was very comfortable, only took 1 hr and a few minutes, and saw the beautiful scenery and fall colors. We are going to come back next year and ride again. read more

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - Tours Near Me - Chama, New Mexico

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We rode this train from Chama to Antonito in August 23 and paid for the parlor car. The scenery was spectacular, the included lunch was excellent and the train was truly authentic. So why the low rating? Way, way too slow. We averaged less than 10mph and as much as I love trains, had I known they were going to creep the 64 miles I would have saved my money and just taken some pictures. It took 7 hours to do what the DR&GRW did in 3 hours 20 minutes in 1950 and I can almost guarantee the track today is far superior. My guess is attorneys for the two states of Colorado and New Mexico are the ones dictating this policy and not railroaders. Any way, it's the last time for us. That 7 hours was in addition to an hour stop for lunch and then another hour riding the bus back to Chama. read more

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - Tours Near Me - Chama, New Mexico

We had a great time!!! The staff were super friendly and helpful. This is an experience not to be missed. The historic train was open air with steam billowing throughout the trip. While a bit messy, the nostalgia was historic and eye opening. I can not imagine crossing the US in a steam engine. Wow! The track soared to 10,015 feet along our route. The railway was built in 1880 and carried passengers daily until 1951. The trip was breathtaking and included marvelous views of the Rio Grande National Forrest. This was a great experience. read more

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If you like trains it doesn't get any better than this. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is a 3 ft narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates on 64 miles of track between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. The ride up is filled with sights and sounds of long ago. Nothing like a steam engine blowing its horn! Built in 1880. Named after 2 significant geographical features along the route. Cumbres Pass and Toltec Gorge. We rode 1 of the 2 steam engines still in service. #184. Walk between cars while in motion. Watch from the open viewing car or behind the engine. A nice lunch selection included at the halfway point. Ride once you'll be back again like most people we met and talked to. My son and I had an amazing time. Get your ticket the day before and be early the train leaves on time. "All Aboard"! read more

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C&T didn't do just to our narional group. We reserved a deluxe train car and trip to Antonito 6 months in advance. We were downgraded to a coach car and trip to osier, half way point. Also we paid $219.35 when other passengers only paid $135. All our participants are from different USA states, it Will be difficult to issue them their C&T refund. The ride was beautiful. I'm very disappointed in the way we were treated. read more

I have mixed feelings about this experience and the review. We did the trip from Chama to Osier and back again by train. (No bus involved.) The ride up was good. Very scenic. The gondola was a bit crowded, but you could still get a place by the rail and take pictures. Our docent wasn't intrusive. I especially liked that he would point out things that were coming up, kind of a heads-up for taking a picture. Nice snack and drink assortment for purchase in one of the cars. Brief stop at Cumbres for water. On to Osier, where lunch is included in the ticket price. Lunch was well-organized, cafeteria style. And the food was quite good. A good variety too, including some vegetarian and vegan dishes. All staff were friendly and helpful. So, why the poor review? The trip back to Chama was excruciating. We took a different train back, one that had come from Antonito. It was late getting in. Apparently there was some problem with an axle on one of the cars. Not a comforting thought. Because it was late getting in, it was also late to leave. And perhaps because of the axle, and because of the downhill grade back into Chama, we crawled. I asked the docent on the way up how fast we were going. At the time, we were doing 7 mph, with a max of 12 mph, and an average of 9 mph. (He had a handy app on his phone that told him this.) I'd be surprised if we did much above 5 mph going back. If this wasn't bad enough, the brakes made a constant, loud, cacophonous, metallic, screeching noise. The whole way. Also not a comforting sound. This is a "duh," but the scenery on the way back is the same as what you saw on the way up. (There is a longer trip from Chama to Antonito and you take a bus back to Chama. This might have been preferable, but we didn't want that long a trip.) I was numb by the time we got into Chama, 50 minutes later than scheduled. So, I'm glad to have done the trip. I got some good pictures and videos. But I would not do it again. And I wouldn't actually recommend it. Though I would describe my experience as I've done here. read more

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A couple years ago we rode the Durango and Silverton train which was great, but we enjoyed this train ride more because the scenery was more varied and interesting. (At one time these two lines were connected between Chama NM and Durango CO.) Everything was very well run and organized even the cafeteria-style lunch in Ossier. All of the employees were very nice and friendly. We started in Antonito CO to Cumbres and then took a 50-minute bus ride back to our car in Antonito so we missed the part between Cumbres and Chama which sounded very interesting. The left side on the car had the better views but you can move around and go outside to the Gondola car or between cars. Even in June, there was a lot of snow between Ossier and Cumbres. We were in the Parlor Car which included a very nice cloth bag and an insulated mug. In the morning, Tina served us a fruit plate and a Danish. She also provided lots of interesting information. Linda was in our car after lunch and she was great, too. The brakeman David was also great to talk to. Lunch in Ossier is either soup and salad bar (the salad bar was very basic), meatloaf dinner, or turkey dinner. There were two separate lines for the different meals and the meatloaf line was much shorter and faster. The train from Chama arrived before the train from Antonito so many tables were full already. read more

Imagine going on a 1870s railroad in the year 2004. That was the year I went with my newly wedded wife on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. The railroad was built in the 1870s to haul minerals and livestock 64 miles between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. Not only was it a coal burning steam engine train, but a narrow gauge rail line, a rarity even in the 1950s. Today we travel in vintage rail cars pulled by steam locomotives, passing buildings unchanged since 70 years ago, along a narrow gauge railroad track. The train goes up to the 10,000 foot Cumbres mountain pass, the highest railroad pass in the country, through tunnels and trestles, going down into deep mountain gorges with cliffs towering hundreds of feet high. Trains run from May through October, expending thousands of gallons of water and tons of coal to travel every few miles, stopping at a water tower in Osier, before entering the desert in Colorado. We stick our heads out the window, careful not to stay out too long, as the coal dust will quickly get into our hair and clothes, with no way to clean them on our post honeymoon trip in 2004! read more

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Wow - absolutely wonderful. If you want the full experience, take the train from either Chama to Antonito or Antonito to Chama, then bus back (don't just turn around after lunch at Osier). I highly recommend the parlor car experience - treat yourself! That affords you the opportunity to stand outside at your leisure at the back of the train for wonderful views. Train enthusiasts - add this to your bucket list! read more

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Sometimes marketing material is just a little too good to be true. I always take what someone who is being paid to write about a business or product with a grain of salt . . . and even then . . . . I always want to see for myself (yes, I was born in the"show me" state) or try the product, or eat in the restaurant, before I pass any judgements. I am skeptical. This was no exception. The first trip I took was on one of their Moonlight Dinner Rides. You leave the station and chug up into the mountains in the late afternoon. Willdflowers, cool mountain breezes, God's sunshine, the smell of pine. Ah, this must be what heaven is like. High in the Rockies, you stop and have a wonderful dinner while they turn the train around and then, then . . . you ride back in the crystal clear moonlight. Talk about romantic! OMG! When I read their web marketing materials all I could think is . . . they "hit the nail on the head!" This one really tells it like it is. See for yourself - the following quote is directly off their website. "Hidden away in a little-known corner of the southern Rocky Mountains is a precious historic artifact of the American West that time forgot. "Built in 1880 and little changed since, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is the finest and most spectacular example of steam era mountain railroading in North America. Its equipment, structures and vast landscape exist today as if frozen in the first half of the 20th century." Yep, it is all true! I wouldn't lead you astray. May to October. This moonlight adventure is worth taking. If you have the kids, do it on one of the day trips. Save the moonlight for that special someone. Anyone want to go with me? read more

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Fun to be had by all. Rode the train on a trip with my parents and both sets of grandparents on our stay in Chama. The train itself was scenic, but we were freezing the entire ride (mind you, it was summer at the time). Crowds gathered and cheered in excitement as the train approached the station and blew the whistle. The conductor even gave me a piece of coal to keep (and no, his name was not Santa Claus). Grandparents greatly enjoyed the ride read more

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - The clothing probably gives away the age of the picture... - Tours Near Me - Chama, New Mexico

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If you like railroads or scenery, you will love the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. My family unanimously agrees that it's a better experience than its more famous sister railroad, the Durango and Silverton. Why? Well, the trip is much longer, the scenery more expansive and varied, and the railroad equipment not quite as polished and shiny -- i.e. it's more authentic. It's also fun to see steam engines working hard when pulling a train up a 4% grade. Special thanks to the engineers who interacted with our 9 and 10 year olds and made their trip special! If you go, here are a few recommendations. The guide book Ticket to Toltec is a well-written book with general history of the area and the railroad, as well as a mile-by-mile guide to the sights you'll pass by, written for both directions so you will never have to go backward through the book. We especially enjoyed the tales of train wrecks and the listing of movies the C&TSRR has been in. If you can only go one direction, the Chama-to-Antonito route really showcases steam power when pulling the train up a 4 percent grade on the way to Osier. As the train reaches higher altitudes, it gets chilly, so bring a windbreaker. At Osier, the tasty buffet lunch has turkey or meatloaf with several sides, while also offering mac-n-cheese or a hotdog for the kids. The best scenery on the trip is viewed soon after leaving Osier on the way to Antonito. Wear sunscreen. We did the full route in both directions and were glad we did. For the best views, sit on the right from Chama, and on the left from Antonito. The train from Antonito is much less crowded. Popcorn, drinks, and a few other treats are available from the snack car. Surprisingly, the souvenir shops at each end of the trip and at Osier each have items not available at the other locations. read more

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I had such a fun time and plan to do a ride again. We did the ride from Chama to Orsier and was in the premium parlor car. I know it's more money for this car but it is so worth it! The car is beautifully decorated, it looks like a car from the 1800's, and when we boarded the train we were served a fresh fruit plate and a blueberry cheesecake danish. Both very yummy! You also get to choose your seat which faces out the window and the chair is pretty comfy. Coffee, tea and soft drinks are included in your fare, alcohol is at you expense. The car is also adult only the view was amazing and the attendant we had was very informative and would tell us about the history of the train. When we arrived at Orsier they serve you lunch and to my surprise it was very good! I recommend the turkey, if that is being served and one of your choices. I have no complaints and really enjoyed the ride. read more

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We have wanted to take this train trip for years. It is reputed to be one of the most scenic train trips in the U.S. So after months of planning hubby and I were able to take a ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad in early October. It is totally worth the wait and all the advanced planning. The train runs from Chama, NM (northernmost NM) to Antonito, Colorado. There are many configurations to one's trip. We rode the train up to Antonito and took the shuttle bus back. You can also take the bus to Antonito and then take the train back. Or you can ride the train halfway to Oser and return to Chama. All train routes stop in Oser for lunch, which is included in the ticket price. Please see my many photos. October is a popular time since the fall foliage is at its peak. Being a native Californian I rarely have gotten to see trees change colors. The scenery is MAGNIFICENTLY beautiful--trees in various shades or reds and golds. Wow!---there really is a God! It was a perfect day ----cool, clear and crisp. Continuous views of spectacular forests, mountains, valleys--no trace of people. We did see some pronghorn antelopes, rabbits and a few elk. I am a real train nut or rail fan. I love any type of train, any size train, any length of ride. I have CD's of train sounds to lull me to sleep. It was like Heaven on Earth for me to have ridden this train for a six hour journey of hearing clickety-clack, clickety-clack, choo-choo, chug-chug, toot toot; breathing in fresh air and steam; and viewing some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. I'll cherish the memory of this train ride forever. read more

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Decided to make this train ride a part of our trip through NM. Best decision ever! For anyone into old trains, nature, mountains or history this is a must see. The price was a little off-putting at first but now that we have experienced the trip we think it was worth every dime. The price includes the ride, free drinks, mugs, snacks, and a cool lunch served way up in the mountains. You will never experience a better view of the mountains than this. The train is kept very well and authentic. The staff is amazingly friendly and accommodating. The car attendants are knowledgeable and friendly and helpful. The volunteers that describe what you are seeing and tell you the history of the area are amazing. I Recommend at lest paying for the Tourist car because it is next to the open car and comes with freebies the coach cars don't. Definitely worth the price read more

Nothing like the love of history and a mountain train, the shrill of a whistle and the smell of coal smoke and steam. As you step out of your car you are transported back in time. As you walk up to the rail station there's a feeling of something great is about to happen. Everyone that's here both working and visiting are all smiles and want to be here. The train has numerous options to choose from, we opted for coach as did many others, for the price and time it included an all you can eat lunch with drinks and desert. There were great brochures , helpful Docents giving talks on the lines history, neighboring terrain wildlife and flora. The conductors all business and helpful, as some have been in the rail business 43 years. This rail line once connected to a series of other small lines that stretched to Denver back in the day. We only took the half day excursion which actually left us coming back in the near future. The Town is tourist friendly as we brought our small dog to a nearby kennel for 10.00 for the day, Dr Johnson was cool. As things go this is a major bucket list item ! read more

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This is the best scenic railway! The train takes you all the way up to 10,022 at the Cumbres pass. The train goes ~64 miles from Chama to Antonito Colorado. The views are spectacular. Great trip back in time. My family loves this train and we make a point of riding at least every other year. Chama and Antonito are not "tourist towns" so there are no crowds to contend with. read more

Rode the train today. This is our second time. We had a really good time and the attendants were wonderful. I learned so much more this time. I want to give a special recognition to Cathy and Darlene! They are very good at what they do!! read more

This is why I was in Chama. It's a great trip, though 6 hours for 64 miles can strain one's patience. Scenery spectacular, especially the Toltec Gorge, which is part of the Osier to Antonito portion of the route. A mass buffet lunch is provided for all in Osier. I recommend doing the whole trip, either direction, as the scenery is different. The bus return is only an hour and a quarter on Rte. 17, more or less paralleling the tracks but not making all the hairpin turns the RR makes--the RR had to do this to keep the grade to a minimum. There will be smoke and soot, especially since most windows and doors are open. Docents move through the cars with historical and engineering information. Friends of the C & T are devoted; they are the docents and some spend summers in Chama working on the small museum car and restoration. read more

Great ride on Sept. 30, 2021. Beautiful fall colors. But BE WARNED, Chama had no restaurants open. Zip. Zero. Nada. Try to avoid staying there unless you have an RV or an ice chest with food and a camp stove. Fortunately, we did find an overwhelmed Subway sandwich shop with a long-long-long of starving people trying to find something, anything, to eat. Sad. read more

Beautiful scenery but crowded cars with no masking. Crew and most passengers did not wear masks, despite mandates. Conductor said it was ok because windows were open. Their own policy is no masks if all windows are open, which wasn't the case. Safety is not number one here. read more

We sat in the Deluxe car at the back of the train. If you are sensitive to smoke in your face, this is the place to be. The trip was relaxing and scenic. The stop we made for food was great. The food was served quickly and it was hot and good. Please know that if you go out onto the catwalk, sparks could lad on your eyeballs. Also, if you sit near the front of the train, you will be covered with spot. Deluxe car is the way to go. read more

This was a real highlight of our vacation, something that, once we saw it on the map, we changed our plans for. And it was worth it! There are several versions of the trip to choose from; we took the bus from Chama to Antonino, then rode the train all the way back to Chama. Theres good viewing from either side of the train, and since it wasn't full, we could move around. There's an open gondola car too, if you want the full experience. The scenery is lovely, and everyone from the docents to the bus driver was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The bus trip went quickly, and we thank Dana, the driver, for his wealth of information, and not running an annoying stand-up comedy routine from the drivers seat. We tipped him well; he deserved it. The docent on our train (Tom?) was also very knowledgeable and pleasant to talk to. Mid-way, there is lunch, and what a wonderful lunch that was. A full cooked-fresh turkey dinner with all the fixin's, or a meatloaf dinner with all the fixin's. I had the meatloaf, and I wish I had their recipe - it was really really good. Husband had the turkey, and it was just like grandma used to make. The stuffing was outstanding. There is also a soup and salad bar, as well as a large number of cakes, pies, and cobblers to choose from for dessert. It's well-organized, and just wonderful. Tip jars are on the tables, and we encourage everyone to tip the help well. Some of them were there in the very early morning cooking those turkeys. There are snacks and drinks for sale on the train, if you need something. There is also a photographer who will take your picture, print it on the train, and sell you a 5x7 and a 4x6 in nice folders for $25 if you're interested. That seemed steep to us, and we felt a bit like a captive audience. A number of folks in our car refused as well. It was a great day, no regrets at all. We took the Durango train some years ago, and feel that this was a better value. We loved it! read more

This was F-U-N! We went in the early fall and tried to time it to see peak foliage but that didn't quite work out. No matter, the train ride, the scenery, the experience was A+! We opted to spend the extra bucks for the premium parlor car and it was well worth the expense. You feel a bit spoiled and the extra room and conveniences are well worth it. read more

This is a review of the toddler tour only, the "Cinder Bear" choo-choo hullabaloo. Northern New Mexico, this central area in particular, is simply my favorite place in the state. I love Los Ojos and Tierra Amarilla, the breathtaking natural beauty of Abiquiu as the mesas green into higher elevations, and I've always wanted to see it from a rail car. The Cumbres & Toltec is simply an absolute must-ride, especially during a summer season that has been doused in so much delightful rain. All of this green stuff is making me very, very happy. So here's the deal with this railroad. It was built in the mid-1800's for the mining industry in these parts, and the ebb and flow of its operation continued until WW2, when it essentially halted running entirely. Thanks to community support and Federal recognition that this heritage is indeed meaningful and integral to the people who live here, it continues to run the entire stretch of track, which takes a full day to complete (I doubt the train ever gets moving faster than 10mph). For train enthusiasts it's a dream come true. For the layperson (me) 90 minutes is more than enough time to appreciate the grandeur, so the Cinder Bear kiddo tour was perfect. The tour begins in Chama with a literal bear hug from Cinder him/herself (who knows?). You board at 10am and Cinder hops in an SUV, not kidding. About 30 minutes down the road Cinder waves hello from the side of the road, but you'll be too distracted by the scenery to care, what with the mountain peaks, aspen, fern and bountiful mule deer. A little further up the train stops and Cinder jumps on, and another round of bear hugs ensues. Everyone gets off at Cumbres, elevation 10,000+. A shuttle brings you back to Chama and the kids are greeted with a goodbye tent full of toys, activities and yes, more Cinder hugs. So anyway, if you don't have a kiddo but you also don't want to spend a day riding this line, reserve seats for the short tour, just lie about your age, it's not like you've never done that before. And honestly, give Cinder a hug, will ya? read more

Can't say enough, should be on everybody's bucket list of life. Went during the Fall color change, saw coyotes, deer and had a great lunch in Osier. Nothing like the chugging of an old steam locomotive!!! When I was admiring one of the old steam locomotives, the engineer told me to come up close, we are a "hands on" experience here. Filled up my camera totally with pictures. read more

Howie K's review really summed this ride up! You'll want to check his review out for the kiddie ride. We went on the full day ride with our 4 and 2 year old foster children. They loved it, mostly. Especially the boy. I, on the other hand, only managed to realize my newest fear of heights. Yup, drop offs off the side of cliffs so deep - you'll finally believe in Jesus. At the very least - you'll do a whole lot of talking to em'! I would eventually take advantage of their extra spicy Bloody Mary's @ $8.00 a piece. Terrible, I know, but my partner stayed completely sober. I'll tell you. This is one bumpy, shaky ride! Now, try it with 3 Bloody Mary's in ya! Nope. Not happening! We were, however, less than 10 feet from the adult section that you can pay A LOT extra for. But, that heavy, additional fee only garnered them side seats facing directly out of the train, some alcohol and I think, a free lunch? Trust me, the perk of no children in their cart did NOT pay off for them whatsoever. My foster kids made sure of that! Screams so loud at some points - I swear, only dolphins and rich people could hear! Not worth the extra money folks! We did stop in some town, I forget, obviously, and they fed us lunch. It wasn't bad. And, there was a long bus ride back to Chama. Over all, it wasn't a bad experience. Well, if not for my therapy bills. Something you should maybe put on your bucket list anyway. Like climbing Mt. Everest or feeding at a D grade restaurant in LA. You'll either love it or hate it. Overall, my boy loved it, my daughter slept thru it, my partner tolerated it and, I, well, barely remember it. It was also pretty pricy! But, others, except for adult VIP's in their cart, enjoyed it. read more

Railroad is 4 star. It is reasonably comfortable in Coach class. Could wander through all cars except First Class. All staff were friendly and knowledgable. Fully open air box car provded 360 deg views. Scenery is great, but not as spectacular as the Durango - Silverton railroad. Trip included a buffet, also 4 star. Come hungry. All you can eat home cooked lunch. Lots of choices. All very tasty. read more

I'm biased. As a die-hard railfan, I loved everything about the fifteen MPH six hour excursion on a train pulled by a genuine coal fired steam locomotive. Definitely an item to mark off my bucket list. read more

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - Tours Near Me - Chama, New Mexico

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Wow! What an experience! Great scenery and docents that explained what we were seeing and how the railroad functioned in its day. Highly recommend the full day trip with lunch and motor coach ride back. read more