Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, Heritage railway in Alamosa, Colorado, US
Rio Grande Scenic Railroad was a narrow-gauge railway that carried passengers through San Luis Valley while crossing mountain passes at elevations around 9,400 feet (2,865 m). The route connected Alamosa with smaller stations scattered throughout the surrounding mountains and provided both regular service and sightseeing trips.
The railroad was founded in 2006 as part of the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad, tracing its heritage back to the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad established in 1870. Operations halted in 2019 following wildfire damage that made the tracks impassable.
The railway staged music performances at Fir Concert Grounds, featuring performances from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ricky Skaggs and Asleep at the Wheel.
Most passengers boarded at the Alamosa station, with connections possible to other rail lines at Antonito. Visitors should have brought warm clothing since journeys passed through high-altitude alpine regions with cool temperatures.
The train fleet consisted of five converted observation cars and several restored railroad cars from the 1920s, including a 1910 locomotive originally from the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad. These historic vehicles came from different rail companies and were carefully prepared to operate through the mountains.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
