Colorado
The Best of Colorado’s Historic Railroads
Program No. 4345RJ
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The Best of Colorado’s Historic Railroads
The Best of Colorado’s Historic Railroads
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Participant Reviews
Based on 70 Reviews
SHOWING
Wonderful trip. Mountains, rail roads, trip accommodations/meals, and educational narrative first rate in all respects. Weather cooperated too.
— Review left October 7, 2025
Fast-paced exploration of Colorado Railroads and museums and towns. The Jeep ride up the mountain out of Ouray is amazing and wished there was a full day option to further enjoy waterfalls, wildlife, and scenery. If there are options for different travel dates make sure to ask about the age or mobility of the participants to make sure you pick the right group for you.
— Review left October 2, 2025
5 stars +++. September in the mountains riding trains, WOW. All of the following are not to discourage but inform so you will be prepared to max out a great experience on a fabulous trip. This is a very busy trip and changes of hotels are happening frequently so "Keep the Pace" applies to more than just walking. Up early every day and on the bus by about 7:30. (catch up on sleep when you get home) Pack light and use a small suitcase (airplane carry on size). If you're a flat-lander like us, if you can, go a couple days early to adjust to the altitude. (We did Colorado Springs for a few days). PJ(group leaders), Phil (expert train guy) and Victor (best bus driver, ever) made it all fun and hassle free. Thanks guys. Take the trip!
— Review left September 29, 2025
If you want to see Colorado mountains & old steam trains, this great!
— Review left September 28, 2025
Do you like riding on steam-powered trains? Do you enjoy spectacular mountain scenery? If so - this is the program for you! Each of the five historic railroads is more exciting than the previous one. Instructor Phil Klinger imparted his knowledge and enthusiasm for these railroads and their role in Colorado's history, exploration and mining. Tour Director P.J. More is very organized and kept us on track for our busy schedule. Driver Victor Padilla safely navigated the scenic highways through the Rockies. This is an enjoyable program of activity-filled days.
— Review left September 22, 2025
A great program for anyone who loves trains and all aspects of railroading.
— Review left September 13, 2025
Fun trip but I'm a sucker for railroads. Al Dutton is very entertaining as a lecturer. Food and accommodations range d from adequate to very good. Highlight was the (somewhat painful and slightly scary) trip to Yankee Boy Basin. Just DO IT!
— Review left August 5, 2025
It was a fantastic trip with fantastic leaders!
— Review left August 3, 2025
If you love trains, you will love this tour!
— Review left July 29, 2025
Wonderful program! I highly recommend it!
— Review left July 29, 2025
This program is top notch for railroad buffs. The restored trains are beautiful and a joy to ride on. The scenery is spectacular! The instructor, Al Dunton, was an encyclopedia of knowledge.
— Review left July 8, 2025
Experiencing railroad history in person was awe inspiring and fun. The impact of railroads on the state, country and people of the lands gave a greater appreciation of the work and struggle to build them.
— Review left July 2, 2025
Anyone who likes trains will love this program/tour.
— Review left July 1, 2025
This was a wonderful experience - more fun than I expected. The fall colors were luminous, each railroad was different from the others, and our team leaders (instructor, tour leader, and coach driver) were great!
— Review left October 2, 2024
Whether a knowledgeable rail fan or just casually curious, this program gives you an opportunity to see all the varying landscapes & geology of Colorado up close and personal from the breathtaking scenic train rides. Spectacular!!
— Review left October 1, 2024
This was a fun week for a train buff.
— Review left October 1, 2024
Outstanding
well organized.
Knowledgeable guides
— Review left September 27, 2024
This was my first time with Road Scholar. I have never been on an organized trip like this before. It is now the only way I want to go. I didn’t have to worry about anything. Road Scholar knew where to stay, where to eat, and what to see. Throughly enjoyed riding in the half full bus and letting some else drive while I enjoyed the scenery and listening to our instructor. Fantastic program.
— Review left September 24, 2024
Loved it! Food and accommodations were great! Beautiful scenery. Ouray was my favorite.
— Review left September 24, 2024
We just completed the Road Scholar Program on the Historic Railroads of Colorado. We learned so much about the Titans of Industry who forged the Railroads, their impact on the mining industries and the growth of Colorado as a State. Totally enjoyable and informative !!
— Review left September 23, 2024
If you like trains and you like the mountains, then this is a program you'll enjoy.
— Review left September 22, 2024
The Colorada Trains of the late 1880s into the early 1900s was a subject matter that was well arranged & presented in my recently attended (September 2024) Road Scholar program. Highly recommend !!!
— Review left September 21, 2024
While I am not a train buff , this tour was totally in my comfort level. The added 4x4 Jeep tour was an extra bonus and history in mining using railways and trains was educational. Always helps to see and experience things from the past.
T Franks
— Review left August 28, 2024
Outstanding program with wonderful leadership
— Review left August 27, 2024
If you like history of mining and trains in the old West in Colorado's beautiful mountains, then this is the trip to you. Riding refurbished old trains through the mountains was such a treat!
— Review left August 18, 2024
I was never really that into trains but my spouse is an enthusiast. I expected the scenery to be fabulous and it was. I didn't have great expectations for enjoying the lectures or even the train rides. I was surprised to enjoy this trip immensely. It was just plain fun!
Well done!
— Review left August 6, 2024
The Best of Colorado's Historic Railroads was not just very scenic and "fun" it was truly an education in Colorado railroad history and the people that made it happen in the 1800's. I you like beautiful scenery, rivers, railroads and history - this is your program.
— Review left August 1, 2024
It is an excellent program with an outstanding instructor, program director and bus driver. Accommodations are good to excellent. My time was well spent. You will learn about Colorado and its railroads. The railroad rides and museums are memorable.
— Review left July 28, 2024
This is an exceptional program involving the history of the railroads and its impact on the development and growth of our country.
— Review left June 24, 2024
This program is a great way to gain knowledge and experience of historical railroading in Colorado and western states.
— Review left June 24, 2024
Having lived in or worked in 28 countries as part of my military service, I finally got to see my own country from other than 38,000 feet. The scenery was breathtaking and pictures don't do it justice. Definitely a Road Scholar trip to put on your bucket list!
— Review left June 23, 2024
A great trip that I would recommend to anyone!
— Review left June 23, 2024
Wonderful program. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
— Review left October 3, 2023
5 Stars! This trip is fun! Lots of great scenery in this beautiful state and the historic trains are a treasure. You will learn a lot about the railroads and you will experience the natural surroundings. The history of the railroads and how it ties in with the mining and development of the economics and growth of the state of Colorado is fascinating. Lots of little surprises along the way. Highly recommend!!
— Review left October 1, 2023
Even if you're only vaguely interested in historical railroads, take this trip! It is absolutely fascinating and the scenery is beautiful. If you are already a railroad buff, you will be in seventh heaven. The group leader, PJ, is fantastic and extremely well organized. I couldn't believe we could fit in so many railroad trips in such a short time, but I thoroughly enjoyed every one.
— Review left September 27, 2023
Colorado's Historic Mining, Railroad & Pioneer Experience At Its Best. Well Organized and Scenic Tour.
— Review left September 26, 2023
The Colorado Historical Trains trip was excellent! We learned, we experienced nature, and we met interesting people. It was a terrific week in one of the most beautiful states of our country!!!
— Review left September 26, 2023
This trip was fabulous. The itinerary was amazing and well-planned. For any traveler who loves trains and mountains, this trip is a must-do.
The lecturer Al accompanied the tour from start to finish and was so passionate about imparting his knowledge to us. I especially liked the way he prepared us for the upcoming sights and tied all the aspects of Colorado history together.
— Review left September 26, 2023
A great new experience I now Value
— Review left September 25, 2023
I'm a model RR hobbyist modeling in ON30 (narrow gauge). I've dreamt about riding these railroads for years and this excursion made the dream come true. A GREAT program with fantastic trips and amazing scenery. I would highly recommend this program to others.
— Review left September 25, 2023
Wonderful educational program for seniors with opportunity to grow and experience life , outdoors and history.
— Review left September 19, 2023
I came mainly for the interesting antique steam trains, which were wonderful, but I gained much more that I expected in addition to riding several of them. Very highly recommend this program.
— Review left September 17, 2023
This was a fabulous trip! Best things, other than the trains were the "Garden of the Gods" & the 4x4 trip in Ouray! PJ & Jeff were the best! Would do it again.
— Review left September 17, 2023
The opportunity to ride the trains of the past and learn about how they were used and the importance of them for the development of the area and why it is important was a large part of the program and riding the old trains and seeing how they worked and why was very enjoyable.
— Review left September 17, 2023
Fantastic program. Well organized and run. Our guide (Al) was the best guide that I have had on a Road Scholar program. A great way to learn about and experience the historic railroads of Colorado and to get an overviews of the early hiostory of Colorado.
— Review left August 21, 2023
I really enjoyed the trip. I had spent a lot of time in Colorado, but never to the areas we went, and I thought the different train rides were a great experience. It made me appreciate once again our ancestors and how hard it was to settle this country in comparison to how different it is for us now!
Our instructor, Al, is an amazing font of knowledge of information on Colorado history as well as the history of the development of trains & train history. I couldn’t even keep up with his presentations! It was fascinating and almost more than I could absorb. Truly an educational trip, and I’m glad I did it. Also have to give kudos to our tour leader, PJ, for keeping us organized and on track. She does an enormous amount of work in making all the arrangements, and can flex when necessary. And our driver, Victor, what a job he did throughout the week, driving those roads and keeping us safe. On the last day, he and PJ really had to flex when we had trouble with our bus and had to sit on the bus and wait for a replacement, but they got the job done, and we were all grateful that were close to Denver and arrived safely—and the hotel even held dinner for us, thanks to PJ’s work and relationship with the hotel. All in all, I was very happy with the trip.
— Review left August 18, 2023
Beautiful vistas, fascinating history, fun group and a lot of new experiences. I loved it.
— Review left August 13, 2023
If you like old mining
towns and mountains this is for you
Sunshine too.
— Review left July 26, 2023
This was a great trip! I think that it is the best value as it was fairly inexpensive, yet we were treated like royalty. If you haven’t been to Colorado, I couldn’t think of a better way to visit. We’re coming back on our own to further explore. TRULY INSPIRING!
— Review left June 21, 2023
For train lovers, this is the trip for you.
— Review left June 11, 2023
While riding the historic trains, I gained a whole new respect for those people in the past who regularly traveled in that fashion. They were resilient.
— Review left October 3, 2022
Great instructors, great trip. Would definitely recommend.
— Review left September 22, 2022
The scenery in Colorado is fabulous !
— Review left September 18, 2022
We selected this trip primarily for the railroad experiences. They were absolutely outstanding, and the scenery was unparalleled. But the bonus I did not expect was the great understanding we gained of the history of this part of the country. The guide did an exceptional job of teaching us about the people and the conditions of the railroad era in Colorado, and it was absolutely facinating. We HIGHLY recommend this experience!!
— Review left August 29, 2022
This program was informative and fun! Riding the rails in Colorado and learning about the history of railroads and mining made the experience much deeper. And the scenery ... The entire experience was spectacular.
— Review left August 22, 2022
It was a treat to experience the various rail excursions and learn the history about them at the same time. My only regret is that it wasn't longer.
— Review left August 18, 2022
Wonderful trip with exceptional railroads, and scenery.
— Review left August 5, 2022
One of the best trips I have ever been on with Road Scholar. Gorgeous scenery, knowledgeable and engaging railroad expert and staff, and mountain adventures that challenged and delighted me!
— Review left July 26, 2022
A fun and unique way to see the Rockies while learning about the role of railroads and mining in the settlement of Colorado.
— Review left July 24, 2022
Fantastic trip. The content (Colorado history and development of the narrow gauge trains) and knowledge of the instructor and coordinator is top of the class.
— Review left July 12, 2022
Excellent!
Recommend it for everyone.
— Review left July 7, 2022
What an excellent trip enjoying the beauty of Colorado complimented by perfect weather. The itinerary was ambitious but rewarding. The group was a wonderful mix of backgrounds and home bases across the US, all happy to be traveling again after covid restrictions. Every RS trip seems to deliver more than promised luring us to book yet another trip.
— Review left October 13, 2021
5*****'s!! COVID kept us in the states and SO very glad, since this trip gave my sister, from NY and me, from MT, a magnificent reunion adventure after a 2-year separation!! The trains were PURE joy, the September CO panoramas breathtaking, PJ, Steve and Victor kept us richly informed, on-the-go, busy, well fed, and entertained. RS attracts the neatest folks and always over achieves in every way!!!
— Review left October 5, 2021
This program is awesome. Riding the trains and meeting people from all over the US was awesome. It is a wonderful experience.
— Review left October 3, 2021
Wonderful program, the only downside was the long bus rides
— Review left October 1, 2021
Trip of a lifetime! Learned so much from our instructor. Opened my eyes to the wild west, trains, mining. The views were like "eye candy". Go, Go, Go!
— Review left September 29, 2021
A well designed experience with a support team prepared to work around the new limits of COVID. This program is so much more than railroads, it is about the history of the west. Would do this program again.
— Review left September 19, 2021
A delightful week with a friendly group. Nicely broken up between time on train, bus rides and free time. Accommodations all comfortable and meals all good and ready when we arrived. A nice variety of activity.
— Review left September 27, 2019
In our 3 trips with Road Scholar (Bay of Fundy; Hawaii: Colorado historical train rides) were each memorable. Accommodations and meals dependably and generously provided. Expert local and field knowledge is always provided. Group attendees have proven friendly and considerate toward others.
— Review left August 19, 2019
If you enjoy the relaxing rhythm of railroad travel with a hefty dose of beautiful mountain scenery, this trip is for you.
I learned about the connection between mining and railroad development in Colorado. Our group was friendly and courteous which enhanced the trip experience. It is a fairly sedate program, which I didn’t mind given the high altitude of many of the trip locations. I spent three days in Denver independently before the start of the trip which gave a nice urban balance to the Coloradan countryside seen on the program.
— Review left June 22, 2019