Wine Train Colorado

It seems that this week is all about Colorado so while we are there I thought I would tell you about Wine Train Colorado.

Obviously as locavores we love drinking local wine with our locally sourced food. And here is a day trip that combines the two. The Wine Train Colorado has added a Sunday Brunch to their regular schedule through the end of the year. You know the old saying, “if you build it they will come”? Well, in this case, if you uncork more bottles of Colorado wines and serve them along side small plate appetizers in vintage rail cars while riding the rails in the alluring San Luis Valley, they will come in droves.

The newest attraction in Alamosa, Wine Train Colorado on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, has been bringing many new visitors to the valley all summer long from the Front Range, the Western Slopes and New Mexico. More chances to ride a popular train that features Colorado Wines exclusively. These rail trips have become incredibly popular. “When we first decided to have a Wine Train we didn’t anticipate the draw this ride would have. We have guests from Fort Collins, Durango, Colorado Springs, Taos and even Denver! We are seeing adults young and old mixing and enjoying music while conversing on board which is the beauty of rail travel,” said Railroad President Ed Ellis.

The demand for the Wine Train Colorado has been so great, that the railroad has extended the dates from ending in August to continue through the end of the year and are adding an additional earlier departure time on Saturdays after the Mountain Rails Live summer concert series has concluded its weekend performances. The longer season allows plenty of dates to sample alternating Colorado wine vintners and food pairings. Additionally the railroad plans some seasonal surprises as well with dates around the holidays.

The Sunday Champagne Brunch train will make its debut on Sept 1, 2019 for area residents and visitors to leisurely travel across the valley savoring selections from a seasonal brunch menu. “After our great concert season we wanted to offer something new to riders on weekends with this Champagne Brunch train and an additional 12:30 pm departure of the Saturday Wine Train Colorado. It’s sure to be a draw to Alamosa tourism as well,” said Ellis.

For more information or to make reservations, please call 877-726-7245 or visit www.coloradotrain.com. Tickets are $59 and include a first class seat, three appetizer courses and red and white wine samples. This really sounds like a great value!

The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad

The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad winds its way through the Southern Rockies on historic railcars, including two authentic City of New Orleans club cars, pulled by a stylish mid-century diesel engine. Guests can choose from a number of excursions, special events or a one-of-a-kind concert at Fir Summit Amphitheater at 9,400 feet. The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad departs from the Alamosa Train Depot at 610 State Ave, Alamosa, Colorado.

History of the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad

The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad begins in Alamosa, Colorado, and travels on historic tracks over La Veta Pass that were completed on June 22, 1878. Alamosa was quickly put on the map thanks to this narrow gauge rail supplying ore, lumber, cattle, sheep, and farm products to the developing valley and, in turn, shipping out agricultural and mining products. From 1890 to 1950, Alamosa hummed day and night with the activity of both passenger and freight trains from Denver, Durango, Santa Fe, Salida, and Creede. After the 1950s, the track was used exclusively for freight until becoming part of Premier Rail Collection in 2006.

Today, you can experience excursion trains on rails that curve and wind through steep rocky grades and mountain meadows that are home to elk, eagles, and bears. During weekends in the summer, we host Mountain Rails Live, a concert series like no other. Musicians and passengers alike are transported to Fir Summit, a concert venue only accessible by rail. You don’t want to miss our special events hosted aboard the train, including the popular Rails & Ales Brewfest each June.

Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is now home to passenger cars and locomotives whose origins span the country and the decades. The heavyweight open-window cars from the Southern Railroad come from as far back as the roaring 20s. They include the iconic Lookout Mountain, an open-air car giving passengers an unparalleled view of the passing scenery. In contrast, the C-1 cars are enclosed and air conditioned and were built for the Long Island Railroad in New York state. The Cambridge Inn car is a converted sleeping car from 1949 from the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad. The Sunset View, built in 1954, is a full-length Vista dome car from Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The legendary Mardi Gras was originally built as a coach, but after World War II, it was re-built into a luxury round-end observation club car, bar included. It is believed that Steve Goodman wrote the much-beloved song “City of New Orleans” while aboard this car riding on its namesake train.