Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, courtesy Premier Rail Collection
Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
Alamosa, Colorado
Seeking to invite modern travelers to the world of vintage rail travel, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad offers groups young and old a chance to step through time and explore the rich history and wondrous mountain scenery of southern Colorado. From bustling live-concert train rides to peaceful midmorning brunch outings, any excursion on trains powered by the railway’s restored engines, whether the 100-year-old steam engine or the stylish diesel-powered one, will be memorable.
“Trains travel at a perfect pace for groups,” said Courtney Harris, marketing associate for the Premier Rail Collection. “[Passengers] can watch the scenery pass by, interact across the aisle, share stories, enjoy great food and drinks, and just relax. The journey is as much about the experience as the destination.”
Aside from offering great discounts and packages for groups of 20 or more, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is Colorado’s only train and concert venue. The railroad operates an outdoor stage set high in the Rockies in a mountain meadow. Notable national acts ride the train alongside paying customers to perform for the passengers at the venue, which is accessible only by rail.
“We seek to give our guests a lasting memory,” Harris added. “I like how there is always something new to see and experience on a train. The ride may always go from point A to B, but what changes is the people onboard, the conversations, the seasons and the weather. It becomes a new experience.”
