Railroad buffs have a new attraction to check out if they’re in northern New Mexico.
The Sky Railway made its debut Dec. 3 from downtown Santa Fe to Lamy with a dragon-painted locomotive. It was the first run on those 16 miles of tracks in eight years, though Amtrak makes regular stops in Lamy.
A group of local investors, including famed fantasy novelist and Santa Fe resident George R.R. Martin, purchased the Southern Fe Southern Railroad about 18 months ago. One of Martin’s books was adapted into HBO’s massively popular “Game of Thrones” — hence the train’s dragon paint job.
The holiday-themed excursions through December will include a holdup by bandits, a visit by Santa Claus and a mystery theatre, the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper reported. Other themed journeys will be added after the holidays.
After New Year’s, the rolling entertainment platform will offer music programs, a Wild West scene and, in October 2022, a Halloween-themed ride. […]
Martin said he also wants to see culturally relevant programs on the train, such as Native American and Hispanic storytellers and local music groups.
Train.com had more details about the Sky Railway’s maiden voyage:
The “Pablo’s Magical Holiday” special departed Lamy for a 16-mile round trip with Santa Claus aboard the “Pablo the Dragon” Train, telling a story of Santa helped Pablito save Christmas in New Mexico. The train, with livery designed and painted by Santa Fe muralist Joerael Numina, crawled through the high desert outside of Lamy before returning where passengers could enjoy a winter elf village and cocoa and cookies.
Here’s a video about the Sky Train:
Despite Santa Fe being one of the oldest cities in America, it never had a stop on a cross-country rail line because engineers at the time deemed the mountain grades too difficult. Instead, a spur line was built from Lamy to Santa Fe about 1880.
The small town of Lamy offers a couple of attractions that Route 66 enthusiasts might like. In addition to its depot, across the street is the equally historic Legal Tender Saloon and Eating House, owned by Allan Affeldt. Longtime Route 66 fans and railroad buffs will recognize Affeldt as the man who saved La Posada in Winslow, Arizona, and the Castaneda Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
(Image from the Sky Railway’s maiden voyage Dec. 3 via Facebook)
Man, that train got tagged! They must have parked it in LA for a week.