Close User Name Password
Login Register
Travel alerts straight to your inbox:
 

Tags: / / /

Obama's Bringing Back Old School Train Rides

January 27, 2009 at 4:00 PM | by cmb | 2 Comments

Since winning the presidential election, the Obamas have inspired trends that range from the one sleeve wonder to crazy baby names, and now even retro trains are all the rage. After President Obama’s historic Whistle Stop Tour there was a renewed interest in old fashioned train cars like the privately owned 1930 Georgia 300 he took to Washington.

If the idea of a bumpy ride on a century’s old train sounds like your idea of a good time you, check out the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad which leaves daily, year-round from Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. The railroad recently added four steam locomotives (built and delivered in the 1920s) that are fully operational. They’ve also completed a track improvement project making for a smoother and faster ride.

The real thrill comes from the route's rustic landscape as the scenic ride takes you up the Cumbres Pass, chugs along the Toltec Gorge and passes breathtaking waterfalls. Round trip ticket prices range from $74 to $139 for a seat in the Parlor Car which is a steal when you consider the once-in-a-lifetime views.

Related Stories:
· Train car Obama said to be using has long presidential pedigree [BLE]
· The Whistle Stop Tour [The White House]
· Colorado/New Mexico [ROTI]

[Photo: New York Times]

2 Comments

Post a Comment

Return to » Obama's Bringing Back Old School Train Rides

  1. Victor Ozols

    Jaunted Editor

    Private Rail Cars

    Did you know that it's possible to own your own private luxury railroad car? You just pay Amtrak to hitch it on to the back of a regular non-luxury train and they'll tow you to wherever they're going. There's even a club, the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners. Just random knowledge, but there you go. I somehow doubt we'll see a huge surge in private railroad car ownership, but you never know.
    January 27, 2009 at 9:23 PM
    #Permalink

  1. owen100

    Jaunted Member

    Private Rail Cars

    When we were in Russia last summer, celebrating the 25th anniversary of our company on the Trans-Siberian Express, we toured the Zircon factory in suburban Moscow, which builds out the insides of passenger rail cars. A good number of them were intended for fat-cat Russian industrialists, for whom money is (or perhaps was, given the state of the world economy) no object. They were extraordinarily beautiful, with finely carved woods, crystal fixtures and polished brass. Back in the U.S.A., however, you don't have to be a fat-cat industrialist. You can sign up to take trips in someone else's private rail car. (It's the only way most of the owners can afford to keep them.) Just Google "private rail car trips." -- Owen Hardy Society of International Railway Travelers www.irtsociety.com
    January 30, 2009 at 3:28 PM
    Parent #Permalink

Return to » Obama's Bringing Back Old School Train Rides

Leave a Comment

Not yet a member? Click here to become a member.

Already a member? Log in below:

Comment with your Facebook account.