2012 Schedule and Rates
The train travels through the Royal Gorge on a 24-mile round-trip, 2-hour adventure (3 hours for evening departures, 1.5 hours for Santa Express). The Royal Gorge Route's service, scenery and experience are second to none.
March 17th - April 30th - Daily Departures at:
12:30 pm
Classes of Service available: Coach, Vista Dome and Sunshine Falls Bar and Parlor Car
Lunch and Lunch in the Dome classes of service available on Mar 31st.
Easter Day Brunch and Brunch in the Dome is available on Apr 7th and 8th.
May 1st - May 26th - Daily Departures at:
12:30* pm and 6:30 pm**
Classes of Service available: Coach, Vista Dome and Sunshine Falls Bar and Parlor Car.
*Lunch and Lunch in the Dome is available on May 5th, 6th, 19th, 20th and 26th.
*Mother's Day Brunch and Bruch in the Dome is available on May 12th and 13th.
**Dinner in the Dome and Murder Mystery Train available on May 26th.
May 27th - October 31st - Daily Departures at:
9:30 am*, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm** and 6:30 pm***
Classes of Service available: Coach, Vista Dome, Sunshine Falls Bar and Parlor Car, Lunch, Dinner , and Murder Mystery Trains - See below for further detail.
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All Daytime departures are 2 hours in duration. Our 6:30 pm departures are 3 hours in duration.
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Murder Mystery Trains available May 26th, June 9th and 23rd, July 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, August 3rd, 10th, 18th and 25th, September 1st and 22th, October 6th and 27th departing at: 6:30 pm. Murder Mystery Trains are 3-hours in duration and include dinner, train ride and mystery.
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Dinner Trains available May 26th, June 2th, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th, July 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th and 28, August 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, September 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th, October 6th and 27th departing at: 6:30 pm.
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Oktoberfest lunch is available: September 15th through October 7th at: 12:30 pm and includes German fare, music, beer, and a free pint glass.
*9:30 am departure not available after October 7th.
**After September 2nd, the 3:30 pm departure is only available on Saturdays through October 7th. The 3:30 pm departure is not available after October 7th.
***Available select evenings throughout the season (see details above).
November 1st - November 27th - Departures at:
12:30 pm* and 6:00 pm**
Classes of Service available: Coach, Vista Dome, Sunshine Falls Bar and Parlor Car, and Lunch Trains - See detail below.
*The train departs Saturday and Sunday at: 12:30 pm from November 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 24th and 25th with service available in Vista Dome where lunch is available al la carte and prepared fresh to order.
Lunch Trains (3-course) are available at 12:30 pm on November 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th.
**Santa Express Train departs at 6:00 pm on November 16th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 25th and 30th.
Santa Express Train - Special Event
November 16th - November 30th - Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at: 6:00 PM
December 1st - 26th - Every Evening at: 6:00 PM (except December 25th)
**SPECIAL ADDITIONAL DAILY departures - December 1st - 9th - Every Saturday and Sunday at: 12:00 PM
December 15th - 26th - Every Day at: 12:00 PM (except December 25th)
We suggest that you make reservations early as Santa Express is extremely popular and sells out months in advance.
The Santa Express is a winter wonderland, decorated in holiday style, where children are encouraged to wear cozy pajamas and relax with family and friends while they sip homemade cocoa and listen to classic holiday stories read by Santa's elves. Large plate-glass windows allow passengers to enjoy the Rocky Mountain-beauty of the Royal Gorge on the way to the North Pole, which is fittingly decorated like a true Christmas town, bedecked with holiday lights and decor for its most famous resident - Santa Claus.
Once Santa boards the train at the North Pole, children anxiously await their turn to share their holiday wish list and receive their very special Santa Train gift, from Kris Kringle himself. The Santa Express event features over 17,000 lights!
Santa Express is a special event. Please have alternative dates in mind in case your choice date is sold out. Please note that all seats are pre-assigned at time of booking. The Santa Fe Depot Christmas gift shop will be open prior to the train's departure and after the train returns for holiday shopping. Thomas the Tank Engine gift items will be offered for sale along with many other special holiday gifts.
You may upgrade to a seat in First Class or Vista Dome where delicious entrees are available to order from our Vista Dome Grill. A full service bar is available on the train for Santa Express in Coach, First Class, and Vista Dome class. A concession car is available with drinks and hot food items for our Coach guests.
December 26th - December 30th
12:30 pm
The Vista Dome service, delicious entrees are available to order off of our Vista Dome grill menu. Full service bar and wine list also available during this special holiday train.
December 31st
6:30 pm - New Year's Eve Dinner Train
Enjoy our delicious 3-course dinner, live entertainment, a glass of champagne, and a spectacular 3-hour journey through the Royal Gorge.
Classes of Service
Call: 719.276.4000 or 1.888.RAILS.4U
Web reservations will be available 1/10/2012. Please call us to make a reservation.
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s classes of service harken back to a time when travel was an elegant and leisurely affair. Designed in golden era style with its American-made reclining and banquette seats, carefully restored dark oak interiors, white-linen covered fine dining tables, and plate glass windows, Colorado’s first and only full-service streamliner is crafted for truly civilized travel. The railroad’s Mid-century coach, dining and Vista Domes, along with 1950’s era streamlined locomotives, ferry more than 100,000 passengers each year up the rails through the dramatic Royal Gorge and along the Arkansas River as they dine on chef-prepared multi-course meals, eclectic wine selections and budget-friendly a la carte fare. This blend of service has earned the Royal Gorge Route Railroad its reputation as the premier passenger excursion train in the country. The train ride covers 24-miles and takes two hours to complete the round trip journey through the Royal Gorge. All guests have access to an open-air car. The Royal Gorge boarding and ticketing area is located at the Santa Fe Depot - 401 Water Street, Canon City, CO 81212. Click here for Mapquest. Below is a list of classes of service:
Classes of Service:
Coach Class: Experience the Gorge in coach-car comfort or enjoy it while riding in our open-air car. A la carte fare is always available in the concession car and libations are available in the bar car.Adult: $35.00 Child: $24.00 (ages 3-12). Children 2 and under are free when seated on a parent's lap.
Book Coach Class Now!
Vista Dome: Raised seating in glass-topped dome cars creates the sensation of flying along the fast-flowing Arkansas with 360-degree views of the Gorge within these climate-controlled rail cars. Delicious a la carte fare is available for breakfast and lunch prepared fresh by our culinary team. A full-service bar is also available in Vista Dome.Adult: $59.00 Child: $48.00 (ages 3-12).
Children ages 2 and under are free when seated on a parent lap. Book Vista Dome Now!
Experience the breathtaking views from our Sunshine Falls Bar and Parlor car, enjoy local wine, beer, and specialty drinks while eating a delicious lunch prepared by our chef.
All Bar class passengers have a full menu of delicious food items that may be ordered while seated in the Bar class for both breakfast and lunch (additional charges apply). The full-service bar offers specialty drinks, beer on tap, as well as a complete wine list. Download the Vista Dome menu here. All ticketed Bar Class passengers must be 8-years of age or older to sit in the Sunshine Falls Bar car.
3-Course Lunch: Relax as our chef prepares your award-winning 3-course lunch, served in a luxurious dining car or observation dome car complete with white linen table cloths, outstanding service, and the unforgettable scenery of the Royal Gorge. Lunch includes salad, entree, and dessert.Seating in Dining Car: Adult: $69.00 Child: $49.00 (minimum age 3 and children must be well behaved)
Seating in Observation Dome: - Adult: $99.00 Child: $79.00.
Lunch class offers reserved seating and private open-air car. Book Lunch Now!
Dinner Train: - Enjoy choice prime rib, fresh salmon, roasted chicken, or vegetarian fare as you journey through the splendor of the Royal Gorge. Yes! you will be able to see this amazing canyon as the lights of our train reveal the Royal Gorge. Winner of the "Top of the Rockies" award. Dinner includes salad, entree and dessert.Seating in Dining Car: Adult: $85.00
Seating in Observation Dome: - Adult: $115.00
Minimum age: 8 yrs. Dinner trains offer reserved seating and private open-air car. Book Dinner Now!
Murder Mystery Train: Groups and individual guests discover “who dunnit” during one of several themed murder mystery dinner performances on select evenings throughout the summer. Large group engagements may also be scheduled upon request. Our award winning dinner fare is included with seasonal entrees prepared fresh by our chef. Available on select evenings. Seating in Dining Car: Adult: $110.00
Murder Mystery offers reserved seating and private open-air car. Book Murder Mystery Now!
Ride with Santa! St. Nick visits the Royal Gorge each year on the Santa Express. Professionally decorated trains carry children of all ages to meet Santa at the North Pole while they sip hot cocoa, nibble on cookies and listen to holiday stories and festive tunes. Thousands of lights bedeck the festive North Pole Village in the Gorge itself where Santa Claus boards the train to hear children’s Christmas wishes and to gift each child with a special holiday bell.
Coach Class: Adult: $32.00 Child: $22.00 (ages 2-12) (Children 1 and under are free.)
Vista Dome Class: Adult $46.00 child: $36.00
Entrees are available in Vista Dome from the Vista Dome Grill along with a full-service bar. All passengers have access to bar and concession food items. Book the Santa Express Train Now!
For questions about accessibility of the train and its different classes please call the reservations department at 888-724-5748 prior to booking a reservation on our web site.
For more information you may book online or call us at: 1.888.RAILS.4U
Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Santa Fe Depot
401 Water Street
Canon City, CO 81212