Around Tanglefoot Curve, a loop so tight that the train seems almost folded in half, the locomotive steams toward Cumbres Pass. At 10,015 feet elevation, it is the highest pass reached by rail in the United States. There are tall conifers and meadows that bloom with wildflowers in spring and summer. At the summit is an old section house, one of many of the railroad’s historic buildings.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad traverses 64-miles between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO. It crosses the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times as it chugs its way up the narrow-guage rails and over the 10,015′ high Cumbres Pass.

The narrow-guage scenic railroad is jointly owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico. In recognition for its place in our national history, it was awarded National Historic Landmark Designation in 2012. We’ve been operating under this prestigious designation ever since. The volunteer docents who ride along with you share their complete education of the history, the legends and the lore of this region and the railroad.