rio grande scenic railroad
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rio grande scenic railroad印象
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Wonderful train ride, and awesome concert! Beautiful venue. Buy a ticket and go! Comfortable seating on the train. Bring a chair to have comfy seating at the concert. The staff is wonderful on the train, drinks and snacks available. Can't wait to go again next year!
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So much fun and beautiful views. We took the train to LaVeta pass for a concert with Michael Martin Murphy, it was wonderful.
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I booked a first class ticket in the scenic dome car to La Veta. On arrival I was given a coach class ticket with the explanation that the owner of the railroad had commandeered the dome car (and the dining car too) for a personal trip. After three discussions with office staff I was upgraded to the "club car". This turned out to be a rather shabby old car with both toilets out of order, a stained carpet and dirty windows. Most of the other passengers had booked meals in the dining car, which was not available. Only a few light refreshments were available for an all-day journey. The outward journey was delayed half an hour by enforced slow running over decrepit track, and the train crew commented that a couple of freight trains had derailed in recent years. The return departure was delayed by an hour and a half because the railroad owner had sent orders that all carriages were to be turned around. This required each of the carriages to be separated and laboriously turned on a triangle of track. The owner claimed that thus would even out wear on the wheels, however later he admitted that this could have been done before or after the journey, not whilst passengers were being delayed. A further delay occurred because the owner wanted to use the line first in the commandeered dome car, and more time was lost running on track in poor condition. Half way back a passenger noticed that the diesel tank on the carriage was leaking fuel onto the track. The train was stopped, and the crew plugged the leak with a twig pulled from a bush at the side of the line. Despite this fuel continued to drip onto the track for the rest of the journey. On arrival back at Alamosa the owner was standing on the platform. He could have apologised to passengers, but instead ignored them. I spoke to him. He blamed the General Manager, who was not present, and claimed that the dome car and dining car were actually in the workshop being repaired - even though I had seen them on his train and office staff confirmed that he had taken them. The owner really did not seem to care that his company had failed to provide the advertised service, had left passengers without meals and brought them back two hours late. To their credit the conductor and steward tried to make the best of a bad situation, and were friendly and helpful. Overall this is a very poorly run operation whose owner does not seem to care whether customers receive the services that they have booked. The vehicles and track are badly maintained, and the carriages are dirty. Poor track and the fuel leak suggest that the operation does not take safety seriously.
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Were able to attend the last of the summer concert series held in the outdoors near La Veta Pass. The train ride to the site was fun and the concert was outstanding. They provided local beers and delicious food at a most reasonable price. Next time we'll bring chairs and catch the train at Fort Garland (and cut an hour off the drive) - won't miss much between Alamosa and there. Also avoid using the bathroom on the train if you can. The concert venue is the best! Amazing they get the people they do, especially considering the small size of the crowd! We'll be back!
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My family was visiting Alamosa to visit the wonderful Cumbres and Toltec Railroad, we decided to visit this railroad as well. What a mistake that was. We started off at the ticket office when the woman struggled to find our tickets, thinking we were for the later concert train (more on that in a bit). After rumiging around for a while, she found them, and we proceeded to the platform.All was well as we waited for our train to arrive. An attendant from the office came out to ask some passengers about their meal vouchers, an offer the railroad was putting on for our 3 hour journey, as a dining car was going to be on the train. (Please remember this for later)On the leaflets, websites and other promotional materails, a smart diesel, in Rio Grande Colours, in expected to be pulling our train. It is even sitting in the yard. Instead, a 1970s diesel, in a dirty silver livery came pulling in, with three coaches. On this Grand train we were expecting something with more class, but instead, got a locomotive which looked like it had never been given any TLC. But, as my son said, you can't judge a locomotive by its looks so we got on. Coach 1066 please. But, hang on, the train infront of us did not have that coach, only 1068? We have first class tickets...The car attendant said that it will be on the concert train later, but we said we have tickets for this train, to La Veta. He then realised that the office had not told the train staff what cars where going to be used, so he said come abourd and any problems with finding your seats, just ask, they should all be the same...Well, our tickets were 1, 2 and 6, but seats 1 and 2 did not exist, even seat 6, which was next to a window was next to an aisle. So the train pulled out of the staton in out quite dirty 'First Class' car. We decided to move to a different car, the seats were not comfortable. In one direction, was a really smart parlour car, and in the other direction, another, smart parlour car. We decided to head to the back of the train, were we could at least get some good pictures. So the car attendant, Matt, introduced us to the railroad and was happy to serve drinks to guests. One of the passengers asked about their meal tickets and when will the get on the buffet car, even though there is no buffet car on the train. He said it will be on the concert train, so there was no hot meals on the train itself. A disaster, especially as that customer had paid more money for that service.I think we should say we booked this train in Feburary 2014, when it said online that seats were limited as the train was almost fully booked and the only tickets left was first class. It was quite a shock when the train was less than half full.So, Matt tells us that all food and drink will be complimentary and snacks will be served, along with some Gumbo later on in the day. We travel very slowely on some flat grasslands, through a forest and up the mountain to La Veta, with Matt giving us stories, history and drinks. Some fruit and cakes were served and we were on our way. Nothing else could go wrong...At La Veta, we had 1 hour to go around the town to have some lunch, even though we were promised one and a half hours. So lunch was rushed, in a small cafe that was struggling with the load of passengers that disembarked and needed refeshments. We then got back to the depot only to find out train was not there, but in the turning triangle, when it was turning around. So we waited, and waited, and waited some more as each individual car was turned around ready for the journey back. We got on and waited to go, and we continued to wait, for over 30 minutes. The train, due to its delay, had missed its slot and had to wait for the concert train to depart, so we continued to wait.At 3.30 we departed and slowely traveled up the mountain, and found out from our conductor that this area had been the site for a crash a few months ago when one of the freight wagons tipped on its side. Basically, the track was in poor condition and needed replacement. This problem delayed our train by an hour as we crawled along the track, going at just above walking speed. Snacks were served, cubes of cheese, crackers and some vegetables. The gumbo was served as well and was tasty, nice and warm, as the carriage was freezing.Then,as we passed the concert site, we heard a bang and when one of the passengers discovered after going to the toilet in the other car (the ones in ours were not working) that the generator in our car was leaking fuel. So the conductorfixed it with a twig. Crisis averted.Then as we continued to travel along and wonder when this journey would ever end, a man with a guitar came in and started to play for us. A Titanic moment indeed.At 7.00, then train arrived and customers disembarked for the ticket office to ask for a refund. The owner of the railroad was there as well, but he mostly ignored the critism from the passengers. We discovered on the trip that he was a millionaire and had brought the train and the stock in the yard, so he was basically the Fat Controller without any knowledge of how to run a Railroad.The entire trip was a shambles, and there seemed like a lack of communication between the office staff and the train staff. Having a dining car on the train when dining car tickets was being sold is basic railroad logic, make sure you have the right carriages on the train when you are getting the train ready. The train turning around was unnecessary, as if it neccessary to turn the train around due to wear of wheels, then that could have been done in the depot, they have the facilities there!Also, people paid different prices for the same amenities, as no one knew where they where sitting. We, to this day, have no idea if we were sitting in first class or any of the other classes that they had on offer.Despite all of the downfalls of the experience, the staff were excellent. Our train conductor was really polite and a joy to talk to and Matt was excellent as the train manager, as he helped with all of the confusion and gave us really interesting facts as well. And the gumbo was delicious.
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We're locals & have ridden the RGSRR numerous times. The trip from Alamosa to LaVeta & back is very scenic (esp in fall = late September to early October, when the aspen trees are in color). This is an all-day trip, with a stop-over at LaVeta of approx 2-hours. Very nice photo ops along the way, & we always see a lot of mule deer, usually see elk, & occasionally see bear or lynx. The concert trip to Fir Station is also nice (you can book passage from either Alamosa or LaVeta to Fir Station for the concerts...from LaVeta is about an hour shorter & a little more scenic) & very unique. The outdoor venue is in an open meadow at the top of LaVeta Pass, with a gorgeous view, & operates 100% on "green" energy. We've seen Michael Martin Murphy several times, Ricky Skaggs, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, & various other performers. All concerts were very enjoyable. You will need to dress in layers (even in summer, & be prepared for a possible rain shower), bring sunscreen, sunglasses & a brimmed hat. You can bring your own folding chairs on the train if you're headed up for a concert, or you can rent 1 at Fir Station (limited supply, do it when you make train reservations) Food & drink service is available on the train (several selections) & also at Fir Station (if you're going up for a concert; a BBQ plate). Be sure to try a beer from the local craft brewery in Alamosa (San Luis Valley Brew Co) with your meal (on the train or at Fir). If taking the LaVeta route, food is available on the train, & there are also a couple of restaurants in LaVeta. You can also bring snacks/etc with you on the train, as long as they fit inside a backpack. The RGSRR occasionally has "special" trains for viewing fall color, stargazing at Fir Station, etc. In our experience, the RGSRR is quite a bit cheaper than other train routes in CO. There are several seating options at different prices. All are enjoyable. The RGSRR is unique in that they acquired some of the original club cars from the City of New Orleans route & restored them to original specs. You can ride in 1 of these wonderful historic club cars if you desire (& they usually have musical performers on them)! Just inquire when making reservations (club cars are more expensive than the other cars), or see their website for info at www.coloradotrain.com Riding a historic train is a wonderful experience for young & old alike. We've taken several friends when they were visiting from out-of-state, & everybody has always had a great time.
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The concert train runs from Alamosa to the Fir outdoor concert venue near the top of LaVeta Pass. The train trip is beatutiful, we thought the open air car was worth the extra cost. The concert was just terrific! The blue sky, the sunshine, good music, and happy people all made for an excellent fall excursion
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We have a precious 8 year old grandson who happens to have autism. His passion is trains. The people working there were so good with him. They showed him all the parts of the train and answered his questions.
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This is a fun train trip. You'll be riding on restored train cars (that are beautifully restored) across the valley floor and into the mountains to La Veta. There are several levels of tickets from tourist class to first class. In the summer, the train goes to an outdoor concert site for some great music, and a trip to the Celtic Music Festival in La Veta.. There are also seasonal train trips for kids of all ages---Halloween, Christmas, Easter. There's a dinner trip and some special trips just for adults. All in all, it very enjoyable and the small town of La Veta is a jewel to explore.
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The railroad staff -- both reservations and on the train -- were all outstanding. They were patient, humorous, helpful. The train ride and concert were both comfortable and fun. Colorado is gorgeous!