Monday Kaitlin and were excited to read an article that said the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad was named the number one rail journey in the world for fall. We took that trip shortly after we moved to northern New Mexico and it still warms our hearts to think of it. Kaitlin found these two pictures from our archives and sent them to me.
Their website says,
Travel the Cumbres & Toltec and see the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a National Historic Landmark. At 64-miles in length, it is the longest, the highest and most authentic steam railroad in North America, traveling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountain West.
Owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the train crosses state borders 11 times, zigzagging along canyon walls, burrowing through two tunnels, and steaming over 137-foot Cascade Trestle. All trains steam along through deep forests of aspens and evergreens, across high plains filled with wildflowers, and through a rocky gorge of remarkable geologic formations. Deer, antelope, elk, fox, eagles and even bear are frequently spotted on this family friendly, off-the grid adventure.
Yes, the train does pollute, but we didn’t worry about that 50 years ago.
October 8, 2025
I have such vivid memories of that trip – I loved those trains! Thanks for finding this.
I just watched the video and it really looks like old NM! Wow.
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I love trains….I love to ride the trains and now I need to put this one on my list. Thanks for sharing…
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That would be a fun trip….
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…it’s good that trains don’t belch smoke these days.
Yes. 🙂
Only was on a train once when I was about ten years old.
Fond memories! 🙂
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That would be such fun! Love this picture of Kaitlin!
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How wonderful! I have only been on a train one time. They used to be so luxurious that passengers would get dressed up in their fancy clothes like they were going to church!
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How cute Kaitlin is in that picture. A fun ride. We have a similar train ride for fall near here. I just saw an ad for it the other day. I’ve never gone on it but it would be fun.
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I have ridden behind a steam engine 4 times in my life but not through countryside like this, both trains were here in Florida, one back when I was a child in Silver Springs FL and the other several times that is 15 miles from our home. its so much fun, but the ride is only an hour 30 out and 30 back, but we were caught up in a train robbery and another time a battle of the civil war…. its a train museum….
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I have never really been on a train ride, but it seems it would be fun.
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I love to ride trains! Thank you so much for sharing this, and the video!
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