Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Review – It’s Incredible!

This Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad review will show you everything that we did on our trip. With this narrow-gauge heritage railroad, we were able to cross state borders 11 times between Colorado and New Mexico in 8 hours. Not only that but you’ll be surprised by the visual overload of the experience.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad runs a total of 64 miles of track. It travels between Cumbres Pass in Colorado and the Toltec Gorge in New Mexico. Also, it’s called the best and most scenic train ride in America (2016, 2019, and 2020).

cumbres & toltec scenic railroad review

Riding the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will make every kid’s dream come true. Well, even an old man’s dream come true, if you love old railroads and engines as much as I do!

From the coal-steam locomotive to the grand scenery of the journey, you can never go wrong with this train experience.

With great timing and a little bit of luck, you can experience winter, spring, summer, and fall in just a day.

Join me as I go back in time as I ride the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

Let’s get started!

Ticketing Information

I booked my ticket 4 months ahead of my trip since I was hoping to experience the majestic scenery of both Colorado and New Mexico. (And I did!) Booking a ticket to ride the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is easy.

Their website has an easy-to-use interface and provides all the information you need to purchase a ticket.

You’ll see all the choices available for daily excursions, special trains, groups and charters, specials and discounts, and seasonal passes.

In my case, I chose the All-Aboard (Full) Excursion trip between Antonito to Chama. The good thing about advance booking online is that you don’t have to fall in line to purchase a ticket.

Also, you don’t have to risk missing out on a ticket. As, on most days, tickets are sold out even before the day of travel.

Take note that whichever seat you choose, you can still see all the magnificent views on your journey. Once you’ve chosen a seat, you can finalize the checkout and you’re all set to go.

Before I dive into my experience with the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, I’ll be discussing a couple of things first.

There are multiple options to choose from for your trip to the Cumbres Pass, from a whole day trip, half-day, and an express trip. I’ll also be discussing the pricing and different car classes that you can choose from.

Let’s get into it.

Cumbres and Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad colardo with snow

Daily Excursions and Pricing

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offers three categories that you can choose from. These options differ on where you want to start your journey, dates, time, and prices.

All-Aboard (Full) Excursion Trips

This trip lets you travel the full track of a total of 64 miles and an hour bus ride back to where you came from.

As of this writing, the cost of this excursion is as follows. Also, take note that the prices differ depending on the season.

Summer

  • Coach Car: $135 (Adult), $80 (Children ages 6-12), and $40 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Deluxe Car: $195 (Adult), $110 (Children ages 6-12), and $55 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Parlor Car (21+): $250

Fall

  • Coach Car: $155 (Adult), $100 (Children ages 6-12), and $50 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Deluxe Car: $215 (Adult), $130 (Children ages 6-12), and $65 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Parlor Car (21+): $250

You have two choices on this trip. You can choose the All-Aboard Antonito Excursions wherein your starting point is in Antonito, Colorado or you start at Chama, New Mexico.

All-Aboard Antonito Excursions

These excursion trips are perfect for tourists who want to start their journey from Antonito, Colorado.

You can choose to start your trip either by bus or train first. Furthermore, all trips include lunch and a ride going back to your starting point.

Start by Bus

This option lets you take the bus first going from Antonito to Chama. Take lunch at Osier Station and return to Antonito by train. The bus leaves at 8:30 a.m and you return by 4:40 pm.

Start by Train

This option lets you take the train first from Antonito to Chama. Take lunch at Osier Station and return to Antonito by bus. This train leaves at 10:00 am and you return by 5:30 pm.

All-Aboard Chama Excursions

If you’re near New Mexico and want to experience that full ride of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, choose the All-Aboard Chama Excursions.

Like the Antonito trip, you can choose to start your journey either by bus or train.

Start by Bus

The bus leaves from Chama to Antonito at 8:30 a.m. Take lunch at Osier Station and return to Chama by train at 4:05 p.m.

Start by Train

Leave by train from Chama to Antonito at 10:00 a.m. and take lunch at Osier Station. Return to Chama at 6:00 p.m

cumbres & toltec staff getting ready for the day

Half Limited Trips

With the half-limited trips, you can choose to start from either Antonito or Chama going to the mid-way point of Osier Station and back to your starting point. Additionally, lunch is included in this trip.

As of this writing, here are the prices for the different car classes:

Summer

  • Coach Car: $115 (Adult), $60 (Children ages 6-12), and $30 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Deluxe Car: $175 (Adult), $90 (Children ages 6-12), and $45 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Parlor Car (21+): $230

Fall

  • Coach Car: $135 (Adult), $80 (Children ages 6-12), and $40 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Deluxe Car: $195 (Adult), $110 (Children ages 6-12), and $55 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Parlor Car (21+): $250
cumbres & toltec train with smoke trail

Antonito Limited

There’s only one option for the Antonito Limited trip. You leave from Antonito to Osier Station at 10:00 a.m. and take your lunch there. You return to Antonito by train at 4:40 p.m.

Chama Limited

The Chama Limited trip also leaves Chama Depot at 10:00 a.m. Take your lunch at Osier Station and return to Chama Depot by train at 4:05 p.m.

Express Short Trips

The express short trips are perfect for individuals, families, or friends that are short on time, but still want to experience the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

Additionally, there are two options for these short trips. You can choose to start your journey at Cumbres or from Chama.

Also, unlike the trips mentioned above, the prices differ if you choose either Cumbres Express or Chama Express.

This is because lunch is included in the Cumbres Express.

Cumbres Express

At 11:10 a.m. you depart at Cumbres Pass. Like other trips, you still get to take your lunch at Osier Station and go back to Cumbres Pass at 2:45 p.m. Additionally, here are the prices for the three car classes:

Summer

  • Coach Car: $115 (Adult), $60 (Children ages 6-12), and $30 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Deluxe Car: $175 (Adult), $90 (Children ages 6-12), and $45 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Parlor Car (21+): $230

Fall

  • Coach Car: $135 (Adult), $80 (Children ages 6-12), and $40 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Deluxe Car: $195 (Adult), $110 (Children ages 6-12), and $55 (Children ages 2-5)
  • Parlor Car (21+): $250

Chama Express

The Chama Express is the most affordable trip on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad because lunch is not included in this trip. Also, the travel consists of departing from Chama Depot at 1:00 p.m., going to the Cumbres Pass, and going back to Chama Depot at 3:45 p.m.

The prices for the coach car are the following:

  • Adult: $90
  • Children ages 6-12: $45
  • Children ages 2-5: $25
beautiful mountain scenes from the rail journey

Class of Service

There are three car class options for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. During my trip, I chose to ride in the coach car because it’s not only affordable but also has almost all the amenities that other classes offer.

Whatever car class you choose, you have access to the Open-Air Gondola which we will be explaining in a while.

Additionally, there’s a concession car that’s available to everyone if you want to purchase some snacks and beverages.

For people who are looking for alcoholic beverages like beer, cocktails, and beers, you’ll be asked for a valid ID. However, it is somewhat of a distant memory for this old man.

You can also bring your food for the trip, which I did because I didn’t want to miss a thing just to buy some food.

The 8-hour train ride includes a lunch which we will also tackle later on.

Coach Car

I was expecting a hard seat when I rode the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. However, it was surprising to see that the seats have pads that make them comfortable.

Although I didn’t sit for the 8-hour train ride, it was good to know that I was always welcomed with a pleasant seat.

The coach car allows you to open your windows to completely see your surroundings and feel the fresh air of nature.

Deluxe Car

Choosing to book the deluxe car gives you the privilege to choose where to sit. It has individual seating arrangements complete with tables so that you can eat while watching the scenery with your family or friends.

Just like in coach class, you can also access the concession car and Open-Air Gondola car.

Parlor Car

If you want to experience king-like treatment while enjoying the spectacular views of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, then you should book a parlor car.

The car gives a Victorian-era elegance vibe along with a lounge-style individual seating chair. The panoramic view allows you to see the views without the need to tilt your head now and then.

Additionally, everyone has personal attendants to provide luxury service. They also serve a continental breakfast of hot chocolate, fresh coffee, or a juice of your choice.

Furthermore, there are also fresh fruits and confectionary available.

In the afternoon, they serve snacks and soft drinks. All passengers will also receive exclusive souvenirs. The downside to this car is that it only accommodates 21-year-old or older passengers.

Lastly, you can also access the onboard concession car and the Open-Air Gondola too.

Open-Air Gondola Car

The Open-Air Gondola car is available to all passengers. This car doesn’t have any roof and has half the size of a wall.

This is the best place to take great photos and spot the wildlife in the area. Additionally, some docents provide information about the area where you’re in.

cumbres & toltec railroad and water tower

The Experience

Now that we’ve settled on the different trips, prices, and cars, let’s move on to my experience of riding the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

My trip was last September, just in time for fall. After two long whistles, it was exciting to see the train start to move.

Gradually increasing our speed into the wonderful nature of both Colorado and New Mexico, you’ll immediately see the change of landscape.

A couple of minutes after our departure, I started my way to the Open-Air Gondola. With my camera in hand, I was able to take amazing pictures of the nature around me.

The open area is a nice touch to the train because it allows everyone to see the surroundings without any obstruction.

view from the cumbres & toltec train

Since the Cumbres & Toltec is a narrow-gauge and steam-operated train, expect to have cinders and soot now and then.

Additionally, since the train scales a 4% grade going to Cumbres Pass which reaches 10,015 feet, expect to experience the cold weather during fall.

It was amazing to experience the five life zones of the Southern Rockies in just 8 hours. I took all the scenery and pictures that I could get from the high plains of sagebrush and went to the subalpine zone of the famous Cumbres Pass.

Passing through the patches of piñon, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and the fantastic forest of spruce-fir was divine.

During my ride, I almost didn’t sit in the entire ride because of how fascinating the Gondola was.

It’s amazing to know that, when you’re preoccupied, you wouldn’t notice even know how much time passed by.

beautiful scenes from the train ride cumbres & toltec

Lunch at Osier Station

Since I booked the entire 8-hour train ride, my ticket includes a free buffet meal at Osier Station. The mess hall was big enough to fit everyone without worrying about sitting too close to each other.

I chose a full turkey dinner which had complete sides. The food was okay, it was not great, but it was big enough to make you full for the next ride. They also offer plated desserts that you can choose from.

After eating, I got out of the mess hall and took a couple more of the amazing scenery around me. After some time, we were directed to the bus that took us back to Antonito.

Although there was a guide that provided information during our ride on the train, the bus driver was something else. He gave interesting facts about the place and was funny enough to tell some jokes about the experiences of other passengers.

After an hour, we arrived at our destination area a couple of minutes past our scheduled arrival.

Places to Stay, Merchants, and Things to Do

Aside from the famous railroad, Cumbres & Toltec guides also share some information about different places you can stay and visit in the two areas.

Additionally, since the location of Antonito and Chama are not fairly easy to find, they also have a page on their site on how you can get there.

You can visit this page for the different places, parks, attractions, and other railroad attractions in the region.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Review – Conclusion

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a true testament to the beauty of mother nature.

Nothing can beat the amazing view of slowly climbing and curving your way into the peaks of Cumbres Pass.

Whether you’re traveling in summer or fall, make sure to bring a coat with you because it can get really cold.

Happy Travelling!