Known world-wide as simply "the Santa Fe," the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway came into its namesake city in 1880.

The 120 year-old spur from Lamy to Santa Fe, the vintage railcars, and the charming California mission-style depot at 410 S. Guadalupe St., combine to make a charming slice of history. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors come to see, photograph and paint the old Santa Fe Depot and ride the train along the original high-desert route that carried early tourist adventurers, settlers, artists and scientists into the city.

For many visitors, the railway is the only thing they know about Santa Fe before they come here: they hum the 40's swing song "The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe," and they point excitedly to the familiar Santa Fe herald, the blue cross in the circle.

Since 1992, this rail line continues as the Santa Fe Southern Railway, a piece of living history - still carrying passengers through the high-desert beauty which is our home, and still carrying freight to serve the community. Like the Plaza, the Santa Fe Southern Railway, with it's terminus at the old Santa Fe Depot, is an authentic, irreplaceable link to our City's colorful past.