Amtrak’s Southwest Chief Trails and Rails

Aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief Between La Junta, Colorado and Las Vegas, New Mexico Trips depart La Junta, Colorado, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30 am Arrive Las Vegas, New Mexico at 12:38 pm Depart Las Vegas, New Mexico at 3:30 pm Returning to La Junta the same day at 7:31 pm Trips run from Saturday, May 12 through Sunday, September 2, 2018. Along the route, Trails and Rails Volunteers provide narration about the natural and human history of the region. A small information center with brochures and touch table is set up in the lounge car. A Junior Ranger program booklet is available for kids to earn a Junior Ranger badge. The narration for this La Junta, Colorado to Las Vegas, New Mexico trip features Santa Fe Trail history and information on several different national park sites along the route. These national park units include Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, Capulin Volcano National Monument and Fort Union National Monument. Over thirty local volunteers and Park Service staff have been trained to work with travelers aboard the train and narrate the trips, pointing out sites of natural and historic interest. There is no charge for the Trails and Rails program itself. Participants need only have tickets to ride the train. Summer fares for the La Junta to Las Vegas round trip run from around $70 to $90 for adults. Children, ages 2 to 15, are half that price. Tickets for the trips need to be purchased from Amtrak at your local station, by phone at 1-800-USA-RAIL or on the web at www.amtrak.com. For further information on the Trails and Rails program, contact local coordinator Rick Wallner at (719) 383-5024.