The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, A New Excursion Keeping Alive The Memory Of The Fabled Rio Grande!The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is a new tourist railroad based in Alamosa, Colorado that has been operating only since 2006. The railroad operates exclusively over ex-Rio Grande trackage (as you may have guessed from the name) and connects with the popular narrow-gauge tourist line, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic at its southern terminus of Chama, New Mexico. Much of the railroad’s success in just the first few years of operation has been in the stunning scenery of southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico surrounding its trips along with its three different routes offered (radiating east, west, and south from Alamosa). For power the RGSR currently employs two steam locomotives, a 2-6-0 Mogul (of Southern Pacific heritage) and 2-8-0 Consolidation of Lake Superior & Ishpeming lineage. Along with its steamer the railroad also retains a small [operational] fleet of General Electric B39-8E diesels, which are the true workhorses of the operation when their services are needed.
Colorado is full of scenic wonders, from soaring 14,000-foot peaks to mountain lakes and meadows to dramatic cliffs and canyons. But few people have access to the truly wild and remote regions of Colorado like those found along the route of the San Luis Express as it traverses La Veta Pass – a legendary pass in railroading circles that marks the highest point at which any active standard gauge rail line crosses the Rockies in Colorado. The San Luis Express leaves daily at 9 a.m. from historic Alamosa and winds through country ranging from agricultural flatlands to colorful foothills to cliff-sided mountains – much of it inaccessible by motor vehicle – on its way to the charming art town of La Veta. A leisurely, two-hour stop for lunch allows passengers to relax in the park, do some shopping and gallery-browsing, or enjoy a great meal at one of La Veta’s local restaurants and cafes. Leaving Alamosa at 8:15 a.m. daily, the Toltec Gorge Limited heads south to Antonito and connects with the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, providing same-day round-trip service to Osier, Colorado, or a longer, two-day round trip to Chama, New Mexico. En route, the Toltec Gorge Limited passes through some of the San Luis Valley’s most historically significant country, including ranching and agricultural centers and Spanish settlements still brimming with culture and vitality. When the Cumbres & Toltec train returns to Antonito, the waiting Toltec Gorge Limited will transport passengers back to Alamosa just in time for a great dinner at one of more than 30 local restaurants. That venerable institution, the American mixed freight and passenger train is being recreated this year between Alamosa and Monte Vista. The rich agricultural bounty of barley, wheat and potatoes flows out by rail, as it has for over a hundred years. But, now there is also passenger service on these trains to Monte Vista, a mix of freight and passengers that was the standard service to thousands of small towns across the country a generation ago. With two short daily round trips from Alamosa to Monte Vista on the Monte Vista Mixed passengers can experience railroading close up, watching as the conductor switches cars and services freight customers. There is a one-hour layover in Monte Vista, time for a walk downtown, and a snack or a sandwich. Total time for a complete round trip is about three hours.
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