ALL ABOARD!

Colorado's Tourist Trains for the Geologist

- SUE EYRE

Most of Colorado’s tourist trains today were originally constructed in the late 1800s to serve the state’s lucrative mining operations. They are all scenic and provide an enjoyable day’s outing. If you are a weekend rockhound, a professional geologist or something in between, a few of those excursions need to move up on your bucket list. So, get your rock hammer, collection bag, camera and travel piggy bank ready to ride the rails of the Colorado.

CUMBRES & TOLTEC GEOLOGY TRAIN

The Cumbres & Toltec Railroad offers Geology Trains twice a year in June and September. Participants pay for whatever class of car they choose as their permanent seat, but they are free to roam to the outdoor platform cars as they wish. Everyone joining this excursion receives a geology booklet prepared especially for the trip. Another special feature of this excursion includes several guest geologists who roam the train to provide commentary and answer questions.

Be sure to bring your camera and collection bag because this train stops several times along the route to point out geological features and even lets the passengers disembark to walk through the Toltec Tunnel, collect specimens and watch this gorgeous train emerge on the other side.

This train ride is a geological treat. The Cumbres & Toltec travels between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. It travels through geologic time from the Precambrian to the Ice Age. You will see alluvial fans, dormant volcanoes, ash flow tufts, as well as the dramatic spires and pedestal conglomerates as you round Phantom Curve. There is metamorphic and igneous rock at the Toltec Tunnel and Gorge.