The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Rail Road steam engines pull a load of passengers from Chama to Antonito Colorado through the Cumbres Pass, over 10,000 feet in elv.
EDDIE MOORE
Elizabeth Tucker Elizabeth TuckerElizabeth Tucker Journal Staff Writer
PublishedModified
Known as the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico is full of breathtaking views everywhere you look.
A fun way to take in the views is by train.
Trains are no longer such a popular mode of transportation, but these three trains offer visitors beautiful sights and some even carry food, drinks and live entertainment for riders.
This narrow-gauge railroad, often referred to as "America's Most Authentic Steam Railroad," provides a unique opportunity to experience the rugged beauty and history of the American West. Currently, the rail is booking tickets for its holiday express trains, which are 45 minutes to an hour, starting out at Chama, offering riders hot cocoa, holiday cookies and candy canes served by Cinder Bear and Santa's elves.
Given the popularity of the railroad, it's advisable to make reservations in advance. Tickets can be booked online or by phone.
When purchasing your ride, take note of the three different tickets available.
Ticket options include the classic coach cars, the deluxe with extra room and individual seating and the parlor, which accommodates adults 21 and older only.
LOCATION: Chama and Antonito, CO
HOLIDAY DATES: Dec. 2 and 3 departing from Chama, Dec. 9 and 10, departing from Antonito
Sky Railway is a tourist adventure train restarted from the Santa Fe Southern Railway, which stopped running years ago. Santa Fe residents, including author George R.R. Martin — known for his hit HBO series "Game of Thrones," and Bill Banowsky, a local film producer and entrepreneur, bought and renovated the train and the historic, 141-year-old railroad, which had its first run in December 2021.
The train has various adventures throughout the year, ranging from Flamenca to a murder mystery ride. Many of the rides features live music, food and drinks.
This year's holiday train's theme is Pablo the Dragon's Holiday Train, featuring live music, Mrs. Claus, cocoa, holiday sing-a-longs and the story of how Santa helped Pablito save Christmas in New Mexico.
LOCATION: There is a depot in Santa Fe and Lamy
DATES: Varies, but the train mostly operates Thursday-Sunday
The Rail Runner was launched in 2006 under the administration of the late former Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat.
Traveling over roughly 100 miles, this train runs from Belen up to Santa Fe.
While many people use it for a daily commute train, it is still a good train for tourists, allowing them to enjoy beautiful views through Pueblos in northern New Mexico.
LOCATION: Stations from Belen all the way to Santa Fe
COST: the cost is determined by how many zones the rider will pass through
Reduced fare is available for seniors 60+, students, youth 10 to 17-years-old, Medicare cardholders and people with disabilities.
25 pictures showing what you can see on the scenic Cumbres & Toltec Steam Railroad
The rail runner and Sky Railway trains
Full Fare Zones
One-way trip
Day pass
Monthly pass
1 Zone
$2
$3 ($2 online)
$19.50 ($9.50 online)
2 Zones
$3
$4 ($3 online)
$27.50 (17.50 online)
3 Zones
$5
$6 ($5 online)
$36 ($26 online)
4 Zones
$8
$9 ($8 online)
$52.50 ($42.50 online)
5 Zones
$9
$10 ($9 online)
$55 ($45 online)
6 Zones
$10
$11 ($10 online)
$60.50 ($50.50 online)
Reduced Fare Zones
One-way pass
Day pass
Monthly pass
1 Zone
$1
$2 ($1 online)
$9.50 (50 cents online)
2 Zones
$1
$2 ($1 online)
$14 ($4 online)
3 Zones
$2
$3 ($2 online)
$18 ($8 online)
4 Zones
$4
$6 ($5 online)
$23 ($13 online)
5 Zones
$4
$7 ($6 online)
$27.50 ($17.50 online)
6 Zones
$5
$8 ($7 online)
$30.50 ($20.50 online)
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Rail Road steam engines pull a load of passengers from Chama to Antonito Colorado through the Cumbres Pass, over 10,000 feet in elv.EDDIE MOORE
Riders of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad from Chama and Antonito, CO., take a lunch break at the junction where the two trains meet.PAUL BEARCE JOURNAL
The Cumbres and Toltec steam locomotive chugs past an old water tank on the mesa on the northern portion of the train's route. The historic train ride from Antonito, CO., or from Chama, gives the rider a variety of New Mexico and Colorado scenery.PAUL BEARCE JOURNAL
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Rail Road carries a load of passengers from Chama to Antonito Colorado and by this water tower that was built in 1881.EDDIE MOORE
One of the steam engines of Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in Chama gets ready to carry passengers to Antonito, Colo., this past Labor Day weekend. According to ticket agent Diane Verde, the end of September and October are the busiest months for the narrow-gauge railway.MICHAEL DIBARI JR.
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Rail Road steam engines pull a load of passengers from Chama to Antonito Colorado.EDDIE MOORE
Jeff Stebbins, an engineer on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, gets ready to depart from Chama with a load of tourist and train lovers.Eddie Moore
Volunteer Frank Yochey tries to entertain visitors to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in Chama.Eddie Moore
Volunteer Mike Fiath is one of the few people walking around the depot of the Cumbres and Toltec RailRoad in Chama.Eddie Moore
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad carries tourist toward the Cumbres pass.Eddie Moore
The railroad is one of the main attractions in Chama.HO
The railroad is one of the main attractions in Chama.HO
Two Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad steam engines haul a load of passangers from Chama to Antonito Colorado Thursday morning.Eddie Moore
James Nebris 5, center, from Prescot Arizona, gets ready for his ride on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad on Thursday. Lawrence Hobbs, from Biscabin Ok., was also a passanger on the train.Eddie Moore
The Cumbres and Toltec engine sits warming up at the top of Cumbres pass in Colorado Friday, July 2, 2010. Employees of the scenic railroad and Southways Construction moved the engine and 6 passenger cars, 1 snack car and one gondola car from Chama to Cumbres to resume offering rides.Eddie Moore
A passenger train makes a stop at the Chama depot in 1924. At the time, the train was part of the San Juan Extension of the Denver Rio Grande Western Railroad.FRIENDS OF THE CUMBRES TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD
The Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railroad carries riders 64 miles between Chama and Antonito each year from Memorial Day weekend through mid October.ROGER HOGAN
Passengers can ride in comfort in one of the coach cars on the narrow gauge railroad.ROGER HOGAN
Jim Poston, the fireman on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad's engine 484, gets it ready for the next day. He and others were working on the train at Cumbres Pass north of Chama, Thursday September 30, 2010.Eddie Moore
Passengers unload from the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad cars at Cumbres Pass north of Chama, Thursday September 30, 2010.Eddie Moore
Donald Gallegos, left and his brother Martin sit on a bench overlooking the Cumbres and Toltec railyard in Chama, Wednesday, May 25, 2011.Eddie Moore
Railway uses 2 locomotive to pull 366 passengers through golden aspens to the top of La Cumbre Pass Thursday October 7, 2021. The narrow gage train was headed for Antonito Colorado.Eddie Moore
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway uses 2 locomotive to pull 368 passengers through golden aspens to the top of La Cumbre Pass Thursday October 7, 2021. The narrow gage train was headed for Antonito Colorado.Eddie Moore
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad train pulls out of Chama with 368 passengers headed for Antonito Co. Thursday October 7, 2021.Eddie Moore
Ryan Goude, 4, from Albuquerque, looks out the widow while he waits for his ride to start on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway Thursday October 7, 2021. The narrow gage train was headed for Antonito Colorado.Eddie Moore
Tara and Jacob Young, from Houston Tx., wait for their ride to start on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway Thursday October 7, 2021. The narrow gage train was headed for Antonito Colorado.Eddie Moore
John Rinehart works as a conductor on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad during their run to Antonito Co. Thursday October 7, 2021.Eddie Moore
Manuel Torres, a shop worker, fills two Cumbres and Toltec locomotives with water before their run to Antonito Co. Thursday October 7, 2021.Eddie Moore
Steve Montano works the set the timing of the valves on Cumbres & Toltec Senic Railroad's engine 484 . The engine house in Chama has three striped down engines being repaired.Eddie Moore
Boilermaker Orlando Ulibarri, leans out of a window, to assist mechanics Josh Talamante, left, and Ricky Rivas, bottom right, unveil the number 484 on a train engine before the opening ceremony of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Chama on Monday, April 26, 2004.KATHARINE KIMBALL
Travis Uhrig, from Boulder Colorado, looks for a friend who got off the Rail Runner in Santa Fe, Friday May 19, 2023. Recent storms have left puddles around the City Different.Eddie Moore
Tracy Robinson and Alan Brioso, from Albuquerque, board the 4:20 pm Rail Runner commuter train at the South Capitol Station in Santa Fe, Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Around 50 people boarded the train at this stop, which Brioso said is a light day. That there is often a line to get on.Eddie Moore
People board the southbound Rail Runner trains at the Santa Fe Depot.Eddie Moore
em040721a/jnorth/There were two people waiting to board the Rail Runner at the South Capitol Station in Santa Fe Wednesday April 7, 2021. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)Eddie Moore
em040721a/jnorth/There were two people waiting to board the Rail Runner at the South Capitol Station in Santa Fe Wednesday April 7, 2021. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)Eddie Moore
em070918a/jnorth/The 5:49 a.m. southbound Rail Runner pulls into Zia Station to pick up passengers Monday July 9, 2018. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)Eddie Moore
Historic Route 66 is turning 100 in 2026 and events are happening all along the Mother Road, including at the Santa Fe Railyard from Friday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 12.Roberto E. Rosales
The Sky Railway train heads back into Lamy after its inaugural run on Dec. 3, 2021.Eddie Moore
Billy Manfredi and other get the Sky Railway train ready for its inaugural run Friday, December 3, 2021. Sky Railway is a new tourist adventure train restarted from the Santa Fe Southern Railway that stopped running years ago. Santa Fe residents, including author George R.R. Martin and Bill Banowsky, bought and renovated the train and the historic, 141-year-old railroad. The train operates out of Lamy.Eddie Moore
