Had a delightful trip to Santa Fe in February that included a ride from Albuquerque aboard the NM Rail Runner. The trip from the airport was on board a shuttle jitney whose schedule coincided with the train departure from Amtrak’s Albuquerque station. Much of the route uses BNSF trackage but diverges onto its own single track with sidings along a four-lane highway as the original Santa Fe main heads off toward Lamy. We had to wait momentarily at these sidings as trains heading towards Albuquerque had priority. The station and yard at Santa Fe is shared with Santa Fe Southern. The Bombardier- built double deckers are outfitted with a great roadrunner graphic on the outside with a complimentary color scheme inside. Even the door-closing chime replicates the beep-beep of the cartoon roadrunner (minus Wiley Coyote!). These trains are designed as push-pull with the head of the roadrunner applied to the locomotive’s skin. Tickets can be purchased on-line or on board the train. I believe the fare from Albuquerque to Santa Fe was only $6.50, a great buy as compared to the $11.00 that is charged from Harpers Ferry to DC on board the MARC for a similar distance.
I rode the NM Rail Runner from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and from Albuquerque to Belen last year. It is a first class operation and offers good value for the money.
I cant wait til I ride it ! Ive wanted to go out there since it opened…[:(][:(][:(]
Be sure to sit on the west side of the train as it heads towards Santa Fe on evening runs. The sunset is spectacular plus you get to see most of the stations on that side.
Thanks !
I’ll remember that…