Register between 4:00 and 5:30 PM with the program's group leader in designated area at hotel.Dinner: Dinner at the hotel from 6:00 to 7:00 PMEvening: Program orientation and introductions in hotel meeting room from 7:00 to 8:30 PMLodging: MCM EleganteMeals Included: Dinner
Mergers changed the names of the players, but most rail lines remain today in the original road beds.
The exact number of railroads that were built in NM isn't known for sure, but there were about 107 that actually operated, and another group that were proposed but never laid down rails. They were firmly established by 1891.
Bus departs at 9:15 AM to visit the New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Historical Society locomotive restoration facility in Albuquerque.
Depart at noon for Belen, NM.Lunch: Lunch at Pete's Cafe in BelenAfternoon: Following lunch, you'll visit the Harvey House Museum near the railroad yard in Belen. Belen was a major stop on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, which was one of the largest railroads in the US. The company was first chartered in 1859.
Belen still sees about 100 trains a day pass through the railyard there, hauling freight in all directions.
The bus will depart for Albuquerque at about 3:45 PM.Dinner: Dinner at the hotel from 6:00-7:00 PMEvening: CLASS: Continue learning about the history of railroading in New Mexico from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.Lodging: MCM EleganteMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Traveling along the historic Turquoise Trail, a designated National Scenic Byway, there will be stops in the towns of Cerrillos and Madrid, all featuring interesting railroad history.
Madrid has a fascinating coal-mining history, and much coal from the local mines traveled by train to other areas of the country.
Today, Madrid is a charming little town, with a population made up of artists and musicians. Many of the old homes inhabited by the coal miners and their families have been restored and are fun to see.
While in Madrid, you'll visit the Old Coal Town Museum.Lunch: Lunch at the Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid from 11:30-12:30 PM. This building is on the site one of the mine shafts in the town; it has been "somewhat restored" and has a funky, old-West feel to it - fans of A & E's "Longmire" television series may recognize it as the set for the show's Red Pony bar - and great food!Afternoon: Bus departs at 12:30 PM. Following lunch, you'll visit the Turquoise Museum in Cerrillos, NM, then continue on to Chama. You'll go through Espanola, and your guide will discuss the old Chili Line railway. There will be stops along the way, including Piedra Lumbre Visitor Center and Echo Amphitheater.
Arrive in Chama and view the railyard area there where the Cumbres Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad runs.
Check into your hotel in Chama about 5:00 PM.Dinner: Dinner from 6:00-7:30 PM at the High Country Restaurant in Chama. Bus will return to hotel after dinner.Lodging: The Branding Iron MotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This train uses a steam engine on a narrow gauge railroad. You'll travel through gorgeous mountain areas, covered with wild flowers.Lunch: Lunch in Osier, CO (about 9,000 feet in altitude! They'll take your lunch order on the train), then resume train ride at 1:00 PM.Afternoon: Train continues on to Antonito, CO, arriving about 4:40 PM. This town was founded in 1880. It was common for the expanding railroad to create these railroad towns. During the days of full operations on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, Antonito was the connection between the narrow gauge tracks west to Chama and the standard gauge tracks east to Alamosa, CO. The original depot, built in 1882, is still standing east of Main Street. This is a remarkable cut lava stone structure with fine wood detailing. The old depot is still used by the railroad to house radio equipment.
The new depot was constructed in 1978. It houses the restrooms, ticket office, and waiting area for the current passenger operations of the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad. There is a two-bedroom apartment on the second floor for the night watch person.
Board the bus, which will be waiting for you, and depart for Alamosa, CO.Dinner: Dinner in Alamosa from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Bus departs for Trinidad, CO after dinner.Evening: Arrive in Trinidad about 9:00 PM for hotel check-inLodging: Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites TrinidadMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bus departs at 8:00 AM for driving excursion around Trinidad, an old railroad and mining town, with some interesting sites we want you to see.
You'll arrive at the Trinidad Amtrak Station at 9:15 AM, and board a train for a 9:50 AM departure to Las Vegas, NM. The train arrives in Las Vegas at 12:50 PM.Lunch: Bus will pick you up at train station, and take you to lunch at a local restaurant from 1:15-2:15 PM.Afternoon: At 2:30 PM, with a local guide, bus will depart for a visit to Las Vegas' historic buildings, including the Casteneda Harvey House and the Las Vegas Roundhouse.
Las Vegas has many sites on the National Register of Historic Places. The pivotal moment in the history of Las Vegas was the arrival of the railroad on July 4, 1879, changing forever the destiny of Las Vegas. With its arrival came legitimate businesses; but it also brought a large number of frontier riffraff including murderers, robbers, thieves, gamblers, swindlers, gunmen, vagrants, and just plain tramps.
If time allows, you'll have some free time on the Las Vegas Plaza to explore.
Check in at the hotel at 4:30 PM.Dinner: Dinner at the hotel from 6:00-7:00Evening: Free evening after dinnerLodging: The Plaza HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At 10:30, bus departs for Lamy, NM, another stop on Amtrak's train route through New Mexico. Visit the Lamy Railroad and History Museum from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM.Lunch: Lunch at selected restaurantAfternoon: Following lunch, you'll have a guided walking exploration of Santa Fe's historic Plaza area downtown, including a stop at La Fonda Hotel, which was a Harvey House many years ago. You will have some free time on the Plaza.
The bus departs for hotel check-in at approximately 4:00 PM. Dinner: Dinner is on your own tonight. Your group leader will provide you with a list of restaurants near the hotel (only a few blocks from the downtown area).
There are a lot of great places to dine, both downtown and near the hotel.Evening: Free evening. You might wish to try a bit of Santa Fe night life!Lodging: Santa Fe Sage InnMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Take luggage to the bus for loading.
Bus departs at 9:45 AM for a visit to the Capitol in downtown Santa Fe (from 10:00-11:00 AM), then continues on to Museum Hill for visits to the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (11:15-12:30 PM) and the Museum of International Folk Art (after lunch).Lunch: Lunch at the Museum Hill CafeAfternoon: Visit the Museum of International Folk Art from 1:30-3:00 PM.
At 3:00, bus departs for the Santa Fe Railyard Park, where you'll have a brief walking exploration of the area.
Board the Railrunner at 4:00 PM for the 4:10 PM departure for Albuquerque. The bus will take your luggage, so you won't have to deal with that!
The Railrunner Train System is fairly new in New Mexico; it currently runs between Belen and Santa Fe, and there are plans for further expansion in the future.
You'll arrive in downtown Albuquerque at the Alvarado Station about 5:30 PM. This train station is very interesting, and you'll have a little time to look around after your arrival there.
At 6:00 PM, our bus will depart for the hotel, arriving about 6:30 PM for check-in.Dinner: Dinner and closing comments at the hotel from 7:15-8:45 PMLodging: MCM EleganteMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner