Rail Runner Train: Albuquerque to Santa Fe
Jan 12th, 2009, 03:34 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rail Runner Train: Albuquerque to Santa Fe
I was in New Mexico last weekend and had a chance to try out the new Rail Runner train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. I love trains so I looked forward to trying this one out.
I'd been told the trains were packed the first few weekends when it was free. The first weekend when it wasn't, it was still only $6 for a day pass, and the train was still really full. We parked and got on at the Los Ranchos/Journal Center stop, which is one stop north of downtown Albuquerque. Free parking. I think people were standing after our stop. Lots of people are still curious about the new train, I guess - I imagine it will be less crowded in a few weeks.
Anyway, the ride is smooth. Scenery is decent, sometimes very pretty. There was snow on the ground closer to (and in) Santa Fe. The end of the line is the Santa Fe Depot stop, which is only a few blocks walk from the Plaza - very convenient. I can see that this train will be extremely popular with tourists, especially with the price.
One downside for weekend tourists is that as of yet, there is no Sunday service - weekdays and Saturdays only. You can't go up Saturday and come back Sunday. I suppose the train is really intended for commuters anyway, but I can't imagine why they wouldn't add Sunday service eventually. (This train probably loses money on every trip given that most trains do not pay for themselves from fares, so it probably costs too much money to run it on Sundays as of yet.)
Anyway, this train is a terrific idea. I wish there was similar service between Portland, Salem, and Eugene (we have Amtrak, but it runs only a few times a day and costs about 5X more). Hat's off to whoever pushed this idea.
I'd been told the trains were packed the first few weekends when it was free. The first weekend when it wasn't, it was still only $6 for a day pass, and the train was still really full. We parked and got on at the Los Ranchos/Journal Center stop, which is one stop north of downtown Albuquerque. Free parking. I think people were standing after our stop. Lots of people are still curious about the new train, I guess - I imagine it will be less crowded in a few weeks.
Anyway, the ride is smooth. Scenery is decent, sometimes very pretty. There was snow on the ground closer to (and in) Santa Fe. The end of the line is the Santa Fe Depot stop, which is only a few blocks walk from the Plaza - very convenient. I can see that this train will be extremely popular with tourists, especially with the price.
One downside for weekend tourists is that as of yet, there is no Sunday service - weekdays and Saturdays only. You can't go up Saturday and come back Sunday. I suppose the train is really intended for commuters anyway, but I can't imagine why they wouldn't add Sunday service eventually. (This train probably loses money on every trip given that most trains do not pay for themselves from fares, so it probably costs too much money to run it on Sundays as of yet.)
Anyway, this train is a terrific idea. I wish there was similar service between Portland, Salem, and Eugene (we have Amtrak, but it runs only a few times a day and costs about 5X more). Hat's off to whoever pushed this idea.
Jan 12th, 2009, 05:16 PM
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Andrew,
If I had known you were going to be back in the area, I would have suggested lunch at LaChoza. It is right near the train station and has excellent NM fare at really good prices.
We seem to keep missing each other. I was in SF over New Years.
We will meet one of these days!
Deb
If I had known you were going to be back in the area, I would have suggested lunch at LaChoza. It is right near the train station and has excellent NM fare at really good prices.
We seem to keep missing each other. I was in SF over New Years.
We will meet one of these days!
Deb
Jan 12th, 2009, 08:19 PM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 11,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have to go to Santa Fe next month, and I've been considering taking the RailRunner. During the week (not sure about weekends) they have shuttles to take people downtown, to the Roundhouse, etc.
I think they are planning to expand weekend service and also run later at night, but you're right - at this time they are concentrating on commuters.
Lee Ann
I think they are planning to expand weekend service and also run later at night, but you're right - at this time they are concentrating on commuters.
Lee Ann
Aug 15th, 2009, 06:57 PM
#7
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, it has a Sunport stop, but you have to take a bus to get from stop to actual airport.
http://www.nmrailrunner.com/intl_sunport.asp
Deb
http://www.nmrailrunner.com/intl_sunport.asp
Deb
Aug 16th, 2009, 05:38 AM
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is about the easiest and least expensive way to do it, there are shuttle that go to Santa Fe from the Sunport but it runs way more $$.
The Railrunner is inexpensive and if they can do the bus part, it is a snap to get them to Santa Fe's railyard. From there, it is a pretty easy trip to the Plaza, but if they have luggage or can't navigate, they may need some sort of transportation once in SF.
Deb
The Railrunner is inexpensive and if they can do the bus part, it is a snap to get them to Santa Fe's railyard. From there, it is a pretty easy trip to the Plaza, but if they have luggage or can't navigate, they may need some sort of transportation once in SF.
Deb
Aug 31st, 2009, 02:51 AM
#15
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is great news! I have been trying to convince my mom for years she needs to go to Santa Fe--taking a train from ABQ would be far more appealing to her than a car rental. Thanks for the info.
Moldy, what is SRO? Inquiring minds want to know :-?
Moldy, what is SRO? Inquiring minds want to know :-?
Aug 31st, 2009, 06:12 AM
#17
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Speaking of "SRO". When we were at the train station in Xi'an, we talked with a German family. They didn't realized what they had bought for the initial train journey.
They had SRO for a 13-hour overnight train in China. I saw the waiting room for regular seat tickets. Wouldn't want to join them.
I cannot begin to imagine that nightmare.
***
AnnMarie, there is an airport shuttle that takes you from ABQ airport to Santa Fe so she wouldn't have to rent a car nor find transportation from the airport to the train station. Just walk out and get on the shuttle.
They had SRO for a 13-hour overnight train in China. I saw the waiting room for regular seat tickets. Wouldn't want to join them.
I cannot begin to imagine that nightmare.
***
AnnMarie, there is an airport shuttle that takes you from ABQ airport to Santa Fe so she wouldn't have to rent a car nor find transportation from the airport to the train station. Just walk out and get on the shuttle.
Aug 31st, 2009, 06:43 AM
#18
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think that the trains going to SF from ABQ around 9am or so will be busy with visitors, the commuters will be long gone. However, the trains aren't that many cars, normally, so it could be SRO. Still, well worth it to avoid driving and parking [which is still awful].
Deb
Deb
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sheryl
United States
11
May 9th, 2003 10:56 AM
