Northern New Mexico - American Southwest - page 285

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Steam Power Shopping
After sitting on the steam train, you may want to stroll for a while, hitting a few
of the shops in Chama. One of note is the Local Color Gallery, 567 Terrace Ave.
( & 888/756-2604 or 575/756-2604), in the center of town. Here you'll find all
kinds of locally made arts and crafts, from pottery to moody candles painted
with petroglyph symbols to picturesque watercolors of the Chama area.

Halfway through the route, at Osier, Colorado, the New Mexico Express, from Chama,
meets the Colorado Limited, from Antonito. They stop to exchange greetings, engines,
and through passengers. A lunch of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and other offer-
ings is served in a big, barnlike dining hall in Osier. From there, through passengers
continue on to Antonito and return by van, while round-trip passengers return to their
starting point. Be aware that both trips are nearly full-day events. Those who find it
uncomfortable to sit for long periods may instead want to opt for hiking or skiing in the
area. Ask about their Parlor Car, a more luxurious alternative to coach seating.
A walking-tour brochure, describing 23 points of interest in the Chama railroad yards,
can be picked up at the 1899 depot in Chama. These yards are a living, working
museum, which fascinates history buffs. A registered National Historic Site, the C&T is
owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico. Special cars with lifts for people with
disabilities are available with a 7-day advance reservation.
500 Terrace Ave., Chama, NM 87520. & 888/CUMBRES [286-2737] or 575/756-2151. Fax [phone].
www.cumbrestoltec.com. Lunch is included with all fares. Round-trip to Osier: Adults $70, children 11
and under $35. Through trip to Antonito, return by van (or to Antonito by van, return by train): Adults
$80, children $40. Reservations highly recommended. Memorial Day to mid-Oct trains leave Chama daily
at 10am; vans depart for Antonito at 8:30am.
WHERE TO STAY IN CHAMA
Most accommodations in this area are found on NM 17 or south of the US 64/84 junc-
tion, known as the “Y.”
Hotels/Lodges
Chama Station Inn Set in downtown Chama, right across the street from the
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad station, this inn offers clean, atmospheric rooms in a
1920s building. Wood floors, high ceilings, and quilts on the comfortable beds create a
cozy atmosphere. Bathrooms are small, with only a shower, but functional. A portal on
the two-story building allows a nice place to lounge next to an elaborate garden. Best of
all, you can climb out of bed and walk to the train. The only drawback here is that the
inn is only open from late May to mid-October, when the train is running. Two of the
rooms have kiva fireplaces. Next door, a coffee shop offers breakfast.
423 Terrace Ave., Chama, NM 87520. & 888/726-8150 or 505/756-2315. www.chamastationinn.com. 9
units. $75-$85 double. AE, DISC, MC, V. In room: TV, hair dryer.
River Bend Lodge Kids Set on a bend of the Chama River, this lodging offers the
best cabins in town and clean motel rooms. Though they're prefab cabins, they're better
than some of the more authentic and overly rustic ones at nearby lodgings. If you can
reserve cabin no. 40, 50, or 60 at the back of the property, you'll have a sweet riverside
stay. Some of these are split level, with a queen-size sleeping loft and a bedroom—not

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