![]() ![]() Aboard the glass-domed coaches, you’ll spot towering red rock arches, vast deserts and deep canyons. The opulent Rocky Mountaineer trains provide an escape from reality for four days between Utah and Colorado. Keep an eye out: You may very well spot foxes, bighorn sheep and whistling yellow-bellied marmots or - on the clearest of days - the historic mining camp of Cripple Creek.īonus Tracks: You can hike up Pikes Peak and ride the railway back down or take the train to the summit and bike down along the twisting Pikes Peak Highway. Reopening in May 2021 after a swanky upgrade, the world’s highest cog railway takes you to its dynamic new visitor center on the summit of Pikes Peak - that’s 14,115 feet! Along the 9-mile journey, you’ll be treated to spectacular 360-degree views of the Pikes Peak region, from the sweeping plains to the Continental Divide and snow-capped Rockies. Start and End Points: Chicago and Los Angeles, with stops in Colorado at Trinidad, La Junta and Lamar 9. The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway ![]() Southwest ChiefĪ second Amtrak line travels through the southeast corner of Colorado, providing access to classic American Southwest landscapes and attractions such as Bent’s Old Fort and Koshare Indian Kiva and Museum. Start and End Points: Chicago and San Francisco, with six stops in Colorado between Fort Morgan, Denver, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction 8. For unsurpassed comfort and convenience, this is the choice for a spectacular high-speed tour through the Rocky Mountains. This daily Amtrak train is not antique, but it certainly is scenic. Start and End Points: Cripple Creek and Victorīonus Tracks: The ride is fully narrated, with the conductor sharing wonderful facts about the history and scenery around Cripple Creek. Several stops along the route of this family-owned railroad provide views and photo ops of Pikes Peak and old mining camps, as well as the opportunity to hear the train whistle ricochet off the walls of Echo Valley. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad The trip can be complemented with a view of the gorge from one of the world’s highest suspension bridges.īonus Tracks: Enjoy a gourmet lunch in first class, with options like grilled bourbon-glazed chicken and roasted pork osso bucco and a well-curated wine list. Royal Gorge Route RailroadĬomfy panoramic-view cars open to the spectacular walls of the Royal Gorge beside the fast-flowing Arkansas River on this historic railroad’s tracks. Start and End Points: Leadville and Climaxīonus Tracks: Photography and nature buffs will adore the colorful wildflower and fall foliage trains. Keep an eye out for Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, the state’s two tallest peaks. This ideal route for seeing Colorado in its autumn-color glory reaches up into the Continental Divide through hairpin turns along the upper Arkansas River Valley. Start and End Points: Durango and Silvertonīonus Tracks: Backpackers, day hikers and fishermen can get on and off the train mid-route to access to the San Juan National Forest and Weminuche Wilderness. This coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive runs 200 feet above the Animas River, featuring views of majestic peaks as it passes through the remote canyons and wilderness of the Animas Gorge and San Juan National Forest. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Start and End Points: Silver Plume and Georgetownīonus Tracks: Passengers can elect to disembark to tour the historic Lebanon Silver Mine at roughly the halfway point on the trip. To connect the mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume - only 2 miles apart through a steep, narrow canyon - the railroad’s 1880s builders constructed tracks that corkscrewed up more than 600 feet in elevation on four bridges. "The Railroader" is a new short in National Geographic Short Film Showcase that follows the Cumbres & Toltec's very own John Bush, his story of falling in love with railroading, and why the C&TS means so much to America. Start and End Points: Antonito, CO, and Chama, NMīonus Tracks: The C&T runs several special trains throughout the year, including moonlight dinner runs and the Cinder Bear Express, designed especially for kids. This 1880 vintage line is best known for its appearance in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” A National Historic Landmark on wheels, the Cumbres & Toltec steams 64 miles over the Rocky Mountains along cliffs, through narrow Toltec Gorge, over 10,000-foot Cumbres Pass and through miles of evergreen and aspen forest with 100-mile views in every direction. Before you book, check the trains’ websites for information on fun themed and seasonal excursions: fall-color photo trips, wine-and-dine tours, mystery dinners, winter North Pole festivities and more. ![]()
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