The town of Chama began to grow in 1881 when the Narrow Gauge Railroad came to town and it became a transportation, logging, and mining center for Northern New Mexico. Bordered by three wilderness areas, the Carson, Rio Grande and Santa Fe National Forests, one can view the beautiful New Mexico scenery. Now a small town with a population just over 1,200, Chama is a fantastic locale in the winter for great cross-country skiing or for relaxing solitude from the everyday routine. Visit in the summer and ride the antique Cumbres and Toltec Train 64 miles from Chama to Antonito, Colorado. In the spring, be sure to visit El Chorro Falls; created by mid-May snowmelt, this waterfall rushes over the Brazo Cliffs.
The lumber industry, ranching, and tourism are the main forces behind the economy in Chama. This town has excellent hunting, fishing, camping, boating, cross-country skiing and snow-mobiling. With 300-plus days of sun, summers in Chama are still relatively brief and the temperature never soars too high. Winters tend to be a little longer with a good portion of cold and snow. Are you looking for some peace, solitude, and beauty? Then visit Chama for a quiet, comfortable, and beautiful vacation.
Antonito is home to the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad. Other interesting sites nearby include the Jack "Manassa Mauler" Museum in Manassa, and the oldest Parish Church in Colorado - Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the city of Conejos.
Conejos County has year round activities including: photography, art, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, hiking, snow mobiling, rock climbing, mountain biking, driving, camping, outfitting, shopping, breathing clean air and more!
Since Mayor Mike Trujillo Jr. took office, numerous positive changes have been seen throughout the town. Mayor Trujillo has been instrumental in making the town more aesthetically pleasing by demolishing some of the old abandoned buildings; he has also reinstated the police force.
Mayor Trujillo was also instrumental in starting the Antonito Mural Project, which sought to keep local teens occupied with positive activities. The youths involved in the project painted a mural on the South Conejos School District's property.
Alamosa is located in Alamosa County, in southern Colorado, and the name "Alamosa" means "cottonwood" in Spanish. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population numbers 8,682 residents. Alamosa is the commercial center of the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado, and it is a notable tourist town with many nearby attractions including the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The San Luis Valley is the largest intermountain valley in the world and features a dry climate with long cold winters and short cool summers. The city of Alamosa is on the Rio Grande, which is crossed by two auto bridges and one rail bridge. Auto traffic is served by U.S. Highway 160 running east and west, and U.S. Highway 285 and State Highway 17 running north and south. Alamosa is also served by the San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad and is the county seat of Alamosa County, Colorado.
Adams State College is located in Alamosa. ASC is a four-year, state-supported college founded in 1921, offering degrees in several fields including business and education; ASC's track team is internationally recognized. The town hosts the “Sunshine Summerfest on the Rio” festival, which occurs during the first weekend in June.
Alamosa was established in May, 1878 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway and quickly became an important rail center. The city is located in the highest general agricultural land in the United States, and local farmers specialize in growing cool weather crops. Elevation is about 7500 feet with peaks over 14,000 feet within 23 miles of town in the Sangre de Cristo range.
Rail Booking Options 2010
Schedule & routing subject to change
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad operates seven days a week starting May 23 and ending October 18. The itineraries vary depending on the day of week and time of year.
All trains stop for lunch at Osier, Colorado-roughly the mid-point of the railroad-where a hot meal with salad bar and homemade desserts is included in the fare.
2009 is here:
Built 127 years ago and little changed since, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a 64-mile, fully operational steam railroad jointly owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico. The railroad operates passenger trains seven days a week from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, October 11.
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