Rio Grande Scenic Railroad

Relive the golden age of railroads and discover a Colorado few get to see. Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s steam engine rides through breathtaking mountain valleys and passes on hundreds of miles of historic rail.

Colorado leisure trains make great vacation and gift ideas departing daily from Alamosa to La Veta in South Central Colorado. Our steam and diesel trains transport you to charming and historic train towns in the heart of the San Luis Valley.

Easy Access from Interstate 25
Or catch this exciting Colorado train weekends from La Veta for a round-trip ride over legendary La Veta Pass to Alamosa with a leisurely two-hour stop for lunch and downtown shopping. Refreshing beverages are also available on the trains.

Visitors from all over the world come to ride the train west from La Veta, over the pass to see the Great Sand Dunes National Park, then shuttle for two-hours of fun in the sun and sand. Full day and half day trips are available.

Ride in 1950’s era Pullman Coaches, vintage Dome Cars, Calumet Club Car or Open Air Car to see nature at 9,200’. Memorable trips depart 7 days a week and are enjoyed for all from 8 to 80. Check our train schedules to confirm your excursion reservations.

2009 Season Highlights

Dome Cars
The railroads called them Super Domes, Great Domes or Big Domes, but whatever they are called, the view of the mountains, the wildlife and the train from a full-length dome car is an unparalleled experience on our Colorado train. Click on the photo to the left to see more information on our dome cars.

Trains from La Veta, Colorado
Now with daily departures, leave from La Veta on one of our several Colorado excursions. Ride to Alamosa, or take a side trip to the Great Sand Dunes. Or just take a short trip to the top of La Veta Pass.

Potato Valley Explorer
The daily mixed freight and passenger train was a staple of many small towns across America. Ride one of two daily departures from Alamosa to Monte Vista, and visit the downtown shops. Or ride the train from Monte Vista to Alamosa and see downtown Alamosa, Colorado.

5 days of Steam Service to La Veta
With the acquisition of Lake Superior and Ishpeming 18, the Colorado train from Alamosa to La Veta will be powered by steam five days a week this season.

Daily Service to Cumbres and Toltec
A daily mixed train between Alamosa and Antonito will provide a guaranteed connection aboard a dome car to and from the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. Ride round trip from Alamosa to Osier, Colorado in a single day. Or, if you like, take a longer train ride to or from Chama, with a return trip the next day.

Train to the Sand Dunes
Visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park by Colorado train. Every Saturday and Sunday the morning train from La Veta offers a side trip (via a short motorcoach ride from Blanca) to the Dunes, with about two hours of fun with sun and sand. Then it’s back across La Veta Pass in the afternoon.

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