Colorado’s Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Ready to Roll
04-04-2008
New Amenities, Special Ticket Offers Infuse Excitement in Newest Colorado Mountain Train
Alamosa, Colo. (April 3, 2008) – All aboard for a fun Colorado adventure!
The Rocky Mountain’s hottest steam engine train, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, begins its third season of taking passengers across scenic southwest Colorado, May 24 and 25, with significant train enhancements, the return of its popular High Altitude Summer Concert Series, and special ticket offers for families, train buffs and Military personnel.
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad has added five newly remodeled 1950s-era dome cars to its fleet this year, offering passengers comfortable seating and panoramic views of area wildlife, sweeping mountain meadows and cliffs and canyons not accessible from the highway. In addition, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad includes a 1930s-era open-air observation car (perfect for breathing fresh mountain air!) and 1950s-era Pullman Passenger coaches, fully restored for daily service with new windows, heating, air conditioning and other amenities.
For visitors coming from in and around the Denver area, riding this scenic train is more convenient than ever. New this year, visitors can now hitch a ride from La Veta, just 16 miles from Interstate 25 near Walsenburg, on weekends throughout the season. Excursions include a ride to Alamosa, the top of La Veta Pass, the highest standard gauge pass in the country, or a trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Designated the Scenic Line of the World, the railroad offers regular weekly roundtrip service, along with special weekend trips. The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad also makes one of the few standard and narrow gauge connections in North America with the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad.
2008 Events
The popular High Altitude Summer Concert Series returns on July 17 with performances by Michael Martin Murphey (“America’s singing cowboy poet”) and special musical guests, and is preceded by recurring and special new train themes, including:
- Jazz with your Pop (June 15 – Father’s Day)
- Jazz on the Tracks (June 14 – 15, July 26 – 27)
- Rails & Ales Brewfest (July 12)
- Firecracker Express and All American Barbecue(July 4)
Special Offers
Family Four-Pack: Memories and Adventure for the Whole Family
From now through April 30, families that purchase four round-trip tickets from La Veta to Alamosa or La Veta to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, will also receive a $25 MasterCard gift card. Offer valid for travel on June 5 and 6 or Father’s Day weekend, June 14 and 15.
Train Buffs: Make a Rare Standard Gauge-Narrow Gauge Connection
For train buffs, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad offers a chance to experience a modern rarity on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s standard gauge roundtrip from Alamosa to La Veta and Alamosa to Antonio followed by the Cumbres & Toltec’s historic narrow gauge roundtrip from Antonito to Osier. From now through June 30, riders that book roundtrip tickets for consecutive days receive a free roundtrip connection, up to a $20 value on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.
Military Stars & Stripes 2-for-1 and Discount Days
On patriotic holidays throughout the season, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is offering current or retired military personnel with valid I.D., a free ticket when they purchase one regularly priced ticket. The offer is good on:
· Armed Forces Day: Saturday, May 17
· Memorial Day: Monday, May 26
· Flag Day: Saturday, June 14
· Independence Day: Friday, July 4
· Patriot Day: Thursday, September 11
Military personnel also receive a 10 percent discount on all regular fares when riding the railroad.
About Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is Colorado’s newest train offering steam engine rides through breathtaking mountain valleys and over legendary La Veta pass on hundreds of miles of historic rail. Daily and weekend excursions offer riders a trip back in time on restored passenger cars that stop at historic towns, Great Sand Dunes National Park and connect with the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad.
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