6 hours in Raton, NM. What to do?

[stewmody]

Hi everyone,

First time poster here, and first time rider, too. My friend and I are about to embark on a fantastic adventure from Philadelphia to San Francisco via the Cardinal, SWC, and CZ. We'll be getting off the SWC in Raton, NM and catching a bus to Denver about six hours later. So, for those in the know, how do we kill six hours in Raton? Any good restaurants, bars, or unique experiences to be had? Also, are there lockers or someplace we can leave our bags? Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[wkaemena]

I cannot give you the answers for Raton, but here is a 360º panorama of the Raton Station with the SWC

http://www.360cities.net/image/raton-nm-amtrak-superliner-southwest-chief-usa#21.50,1.80,80.0

 

[Casinocim]

Hi everyone,

First time poster here, and first time rider, too. My friend and I are about to embark on a fantastic adventure from Philadelphia to San Francisco via the Cardinal, SWC, and CZ. We'll be getting off the SWC in Raton, NM and catching a bus to Denver about six hours later. So, for those in the know, how do we kill six hours in Raton? Any good restaurants, bars, or unique experiences to be had? Also, are there lockers or someplace we can leave our bags? Thanks for your thoughts!

There are some stores across the street from the Raton station. One of the stores, has a flyer posted at the station, offers to hold luggage. There is also an espresso shop on Park Avenue, it's very close. Looks like they have free Wifi there. The Raton station is very small, with a few chairs, books and restrooms.

Have fun.

 

[printman2000]

http://ratonmuseum.org/

 

[stewmody]

Thanks for the tips. We'll be sure to keep our eye out for the store that offers to hold luggage.

 

[guest]

Hi everyone,

First time poster here, and first time rider, too. My friend and I are about to embark on a fantastic adventure from Philadelphia to San Francisco via the Cardinal, SWC, and CZ. We'll be getting off the SWC in Raton, NM and catching a bus to Denver about six hours later. So, for those in the know, how do we kill six hours in Raton? Any good restaurants, bars, or unique experiences to be had? Also, are there lockers or someplace we can leave our bags? Thanks for your thoughts!

Check with Rail Freak if you want to know abut the bars.

 

[greatcats]

There seems to be a seasonal ticket office outside of the station building in a trailer. The station itself is an interesting looking mission style structure placed at an angle to the railroad. There is a waiting room inside with restrooms, but the rest of the building seems to have been BNSF offices, which are now deserted. Kind of depressing inside. I have had lunch at one of the nearby restaurants - can't remember the name and can vouch for the museum on the main street, mentioned in another post. There is also an old restored movie theater nearby which I have been shown the interior by the owner. The rest of the town looks rather down in the dumps. While I have ridden the train several times on this line, I have not used the station. I was driving there last year and what I really enjoyed was the drive to Taos on US 64. Why you are taking the train to Raton and then bus, I don't know, but hope you enjoy the trip.

 

[CNW]

I just spent the very six hours you are talking about. We has quite a time of it because there is an earlier bus from the McDonalds and someone hired a van and paid for all of us (17) to ride to the bus station. There are no taxis. Some had the understanding we could take the earlier bus but that was not true so a few people paid 60 dollars to go earlier but most of us rode back to the depot to wait for the Amtrak dedicated bus. At that time it was open and the agent was fun and helpful but said the depot was soon closing for the season. I walked a mile with another man to a Mexican resturant that was supposed to be open but was not. He went on and found a resturant but I was hot and tired. When I returned to Main street I found a place called Hamburger Heaven where they fixed me a good sandwich and I had a beer. It was kind of a unique experience. I had only seen Raton main street from the passing train and always thought it would be fun to look around but it doesn't take 6 hours. We wait for the east bound #4 so it can be later than specified but it was't that day. Have fun...go to the museum.

 

[Casinocim]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I think it's the little trailer, in which the ticket agent is in, that closes for the season and not the actual waiting depot.

 

[CNW]

That was my understanding too. The trailer is the ticket office and it was seasonal. I don't know if the waiting area in the depot keeps hours or whether it is always open.

 

[stewmody]

Thanks for your comments, all. We're doing this route because the CZ is suspended CHI > DEN, but we really wanted the DEN > EMR ride, so we decided to go to Raton and bus it up to DEN to catch the CZ westbound. Despite it's podunk feel, we're pretty excited to explore Raton. We both live in and around a major city, so being out in the sticks is fairly different and pretty exciting

 

[CNW]

Well you've hit the jackpot with Raton. Hope you'll post your experiences for us to share.

 

[PaulM]

Please tell me Amtrak is using the idle CZ equipment somewhere else! Or is resting up for when it finally has to go back to work?

 

[henryj]

Why would you want to wait around for 6 hours in Raton with absolutely nothing to do. It's a dusty little crossroads with a couple of gas stations. Greyhoung lists three departures a day for Denver at 6:30am, 12:55pm and 5:00pm. It taks around 4 1/2 hours and the fare is between 52 and 66 dollars. Coming back you can just take the Amtrak bus which leaves Denver at 5:35am.

https://www.greyhound.com/farefinder/step2.aspx

 

[Rail Freak]

Hi everyone,

First time poster here, and first time rider, too. My friend and I are about to embark on a fantastic adventure from Philadelphia to San Francisco via the Cardinal, SWC, and CZ. We'll be getting off the SWC in Raton, NM and catching a bus to Denver about six hours later. So, for those in the know, how do we kill six hours in Raton? Any good restaurants, bars, or unique experiences to be had? Also, are there lockers or someplace we can leave our bags? Thanks for your thoughts!

Check with Rail Freak if you want to know abut the bars.

No, I wouldnt know, but a member by the name of AAARGH might!!!!

Have Fun

 

[greatcats]

The station building itself should be open, but not the ticket office which is in the trailer outside. The CZ is still suspended east of Denver? What a shame.

 

[stewmody]

Why would you want to wait around for 6 hours in Raton with absolutely nothing to do. It's a dusty little crossroads with a couple of gas stations. Greyhoung lists three departures a day for Denver at 6:30am, 12:55pm and 5:00pm. It taks around 4 1/2 hours and the fare is between 52 and 66 dollars. Coming back you can just take the Amtrak bus which leaves Denver at 5:35am.

https://www.greyhoun...nder/step2.aspx

"Nothing to do" is a state of mind. Put me in the middle of nowhere with my best friend and good times are bound to occur. Especially if there's a bar. I spend my whole life trying to get from point A to point B; it will be a treat to be somewhere just for the sake of being there. To each her own.

 

[Rail Freak]

Why would you want to wait around for 6 hours in Raton with absolutely nothing to do. It's a dusty little crossroads with a couple of gas stations. Greyhoung lists three departures a day for Denver at 6:30am, 12:55pm and 5:00pm. It taks around 4 1/2 hours and the fare is between 52 and 66 dollars. Coming back you can just take the Amtrak bus which leaves Denver at 5:35am.

https://www.greyhoun...nder/step2.aspx

"Nothing to do" is a state of mind. Put me in the middle of nowhere with my best friend and good times are bound to occur. Especially if there's a bar. I spend my whole life trying to get from point A to point B; it will be a treat to be somewhere just for the sake of being there. To each her own.

:hi:

 

[CNW]

It is the same thing on the turn around. You leave Denver at 5 35am and arrilve Raton mid morning and wait for eastbound til 5pm.

 

[Ben_G]

May want to check with Amtrak on that schedule. Looks like they are going to start up the full run's from Chicago soon. You may be able to avoid the bus ride just depends on your travel date's.

 

[henryj]

It is the same thing on the turn around. You leave Denver at 5 35am and arrilve Raton mid morning and wait for eastbound til 5pm.

Unfortunately if you are trying to go back east there is nothing. I don't understand why Greyhound has three buses going north and only one going south...plus the Amtrak bus. The 5:35am bus from Denver is mean't to connect with the westbound SWC.

 

[stewmody]

It is the same thing on the turn around. You leave Denver at 5 35am and arrilve Raton mid morning and wait for eastbound til 5pm.

Unfortunately if you are trying to go back east there is nothing. I don't understand why Greyhound has three buses going north and only one going south...plus the Amtrak bus. The 5:35am bus from Denver is mean't to connect with the westbound SWC.

I'm actually flying back east but my friend is taking the train. I'll pass along the info to her. Thanks!

 

[stewmody]

I just spent the very six hours you are talking about. We has quite a time of it because there is an earlier bus from the McDonalds and someone hired a van and paid for all of us (17) to ride to the bus station. There are no taxis. Some had the understanding we could take the earlier bus but that was not true so a few people paid 60 dollars to go earlier but most of us rode back to the depot to wait for the Amtrak dedicated bus. At that time it was open and the agent was fun and helpful but said the depot was soon closing for the season. I walked a mile with another man to a Mexican resturant that was supposed to be open but was not. He went on and found a resturant but I was hot and tired. When I returned to Main street I found a place called Hamburger Heaven where they fixed me a good sandwich and I had a beer. It was kind of a unique experience. I had only seen Raton main street from the passing train and always thought it would be fun to look around but it doesn't take 6 hours. We wait for the east bound #4 so it can be later than specified but it was't that day. Have fun...go to the museum.

Sounds like an experience. Glad you finally found food and a beer! I wish we could go to the museum, but we'll be there next Sunday, 9/18, and according to their website, they'll be closed. If we can't find anything fun, we'll make our own fun.

 

[stewmody]

Well you've hit the jackpot with Raton. Hope you'll post your experiences for us to share.

Will do, for sure!

 

[stewmody]

Hey guys, I finally posted our trip report. Link to it here: http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/45280-philly-sf-via-cardinal-southwest-chief-and-california-zephyr/ Raton turned out to be a great time!