The historic railroad route through the San Luis Valley, over the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains and into La Veta has been carrying freight for over a century. These rail lines opened the San Luis Valley to the world, bringing building supplies in and taking agricultural and mineral products out. The San Luis Valley has always held a special place in the heart of railroaders as one of the few North American connections between standard gauge and narrow gauge railroads, with narrow gauge lines in continuous operation since the late 1870's.
This year (2006), for the first time in over half a century, you can ride passenger trains on these historic routes. You can cross the Sangre de Cristo into La Veta, roll into Antonito and change for the narrow gauge Cumbres and Toltec, or just enjoy a late afternoon cruise through the San Luis Valley. The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is a collaboration of the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad, which owns and operates the freight railroad, the Denver and Rio Grande Historical Foundation which is committed to preserving the railroad history of the San Luis Valley, and the Alamosa and La Veta Chambers of Commerce, which want to share their scenic and historic treasures with you. You can be part of history by joining us on one of the first trips in over half a century on these historic rail lines.
The passenger trains will operate late May through mid-October. Train equipment will be climate-controlled coaches and a food service car pulled by diesel locomotives. These are the first regularly scheduled passenger trains on these tracks in over 50 years.
Three Routes to Choose:
THE SAN LUIS EXPRESS: The route between Alamosa and La Veta was carved out of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains over 100 years ago. The last regular passenger train was discontinued in 1953, and few travelers since have been privileged to see the highest standard gauge crossing of the Front Range in regular operation. All that is changing in 2006, with daily departures from Alamosa to La Veta, through the Forbes/Trinchera Park, around Horseshoe Curve, along the edge of the San Isabel National Forest, through two tunnels and into the historic 1870's town of La Veta, where the train pauses for lunch and shopping. There isn't anything posh and swanky about La Veta; rather you can enjoy bygone days where the soda bar and the neighborhood bakery were the local meeting places. Then it's back across the mountains to Alamosa.
THE TOLTEC GORGE LIMITED: Originally, a narrow gauge train ran all the way from Alamosa to the edge of the Toltec Gorge. Now, for the first time in a generation, you can board a train in Alamosa, and with only one change of cars be transported back in time. At Antonito, step off the standard gauge train and onto the steam-powered Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which will take you into the Conejos County high country, through two tunnels and along the Toltec Gorge. After lunch at Osier, Colorado, the train returns to Antonito where you change trains for Alamosa.
THE EVENING HIGHBALL: The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad travels from Alamosa to Antonito and back again each evening to pick up passengers from the Cumbres & Toltec excursion. This round trip jaunt serves as the perfect pre-evening party where you will enjoy views of authentic and historic San Luis Valley while sipping on the railroad's famous "highball" in your complimentary printed highball glass.
"Highball" is a railroad term used from the time before lights and bells. A ball was raised to the top of a pole to communicate the forward movement of the train. Today, engineers still use the term to indicate they will be moving the train forward.
HISTORY OF THE RAIL IN ALAMOSA: The hub of the San Luis Valley, Alamosa Colorado, is a city with character, history and significance. Alamosa, like our country, grew up with the railroads. The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad put many towns on the map, but none quite as quickly as Alamosa. The narrow gauge rail into the town was completed on June 22, 1878. Shortly after, a train full of assorted pre-built buildings from nearby Garland City were brought into the town site and put into place that day.
The commercial center of town was located on what is now Sixth Street. Alamosa soon became an outfitting point for Southern Colorado, and northern New Mexico and by 1880 the population was over 800 people, which made it the largest and liveliest town in southern Colorado. Being a large railroad station, Alamosa harbored all sorts of rowdy individuals such as construction huskies, sheep herders, cow punchers, miners and gamblers as well as a large Spanish speaking community that had settled in Alamosa in 1854.
During the same period in 1880, construction was under way on rail leading to Antonito then ultimately to Santa Fe. At the same time rail construction west through Monte Vista, Del Norte and South Fork was under way and finally completed in 1881. Nine years later the track was extended from Salida to Alamosa. By 1890, and for the following half century, Alamosa was the hub of narrow gauge railroading in America.
The busy depot hummed day and night with daily arrivals and departures, passenger trains from Denver, Durango, Santa Fe, Salida and Creede. Freight trains arrived supplying the developing valley with: ore, lumber, cattle, sheep and farm products. The agricultural and mining products were shipped out. Alamosa was the hub of narrow gauge railroading in America.
RESERVATIONS can be made by calling 1-877-7CO-RAIL.
Rio Grande Scenic Railroad 601 State Street, Alamosa Colorado 81101; 1-877-7CO-RAIL (877-726-7245).
"The San Luis Express" and "Toltec Gorge Limited" are operated jointly by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Historical Foundation and the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Trains are operated by the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission.
Contact San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad directly