Albuquerque to Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Commuter and tourist train service exists from the Albuquerque area north to Santa Fe on the Rail Runner.  We enjoyed a beautiful ride through the desert countryside on a clear Saturday morning.  Note to self: think hard before taking the train to Santa Fe in the middle of a 95-degree summer day again - it is HOT when you arrive and step out of the air-conditioned cocoon of the train. Tough on my wimpy east coast system. Beautiful trip and worth the heat but still........maybe April next time.

Comfy seats, new train cars, air conditioning, quiet, smooth ride, and double decker seating. A great way to see the countryside.

A view out the window looking west somewhere between Albuquerque and Sante Fe.

A beautiful young woman gazes out the window. I don't think she was a tourist since she got off the train before the last stop in Santa Fe.

Arrival at the Santa Fe railroad station. Cumulus clouds are already building over the distant mountains - everyone hoping for the welcome rain in a drought desert area.

The Rail Runner is a great way to see the countryside in comfort and explore both Albuquerque and Santa Fe at their respective ends. I don't know how crowded the train normally is but, on this particular day it was jammed - seemingly because most passengers had a Groupon coupon for a discount ticket.  A good example of the power and effectiveness of a bargain via the internet.