Luxury Canadian train launches its first U.S. route

The U.S. railroad network receives a new addition from Canada.

One of Western Canada's top luxury scenic trains, the Rocky Mountaineer, debuted its first U.S. route on August 15, offering two-day, one-night journeys between Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, through the Rocky Mountains.

The new 'Rockies to the Red Rocks' route joins the existing Western Canada routes (Vancouver to Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper) and takes travelers through diverse Colorado landscapes before entering Southern Utah's iconic canyon country.

While train travel isn't widely associated with the U.S., the West does feature a few dedicated scenic rail lines, such as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Rail and Amtrak’s Coast Starlight route from Washington to California.

However, none of these quite compare to the Rocky Mountaineer, which stands out for its distinctive operations, gourmet dining program, and luxury service, setting a new standard in the industry.

Since its launch in 1990, the Rocky Mountaineer has earned multiple accolades, including eight titles as the 'World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train' from the World Travel Awards, and the 2020 Globe Travel Award for 'Best Rail Company.'

A train journey without sleeper cars

The Rocky Mountaineer's most unique feature might be seen as its greatest strength or its biggest drawback: Despite being a multi-day journey, passengers don’t sleep on the train.

There are no sleeper cars on any of the Rocky Mountaineer's routes. Instead, travelers disembark each evening and stay overnight in local hotels.

This setup serves two main purposes: allowing guests to sleep better without the rocking of the train, and ensuring the dark of night doesn’t obscure the stunning scenery.

"Our routes feature some of the most breathtaking views North America has to offer," said Nicole Ford, communications director at Rocky Mountaineer. "Our trains run only during daylight hours and are equipped with oversized windows so that guests can fully enjoy the constantly changing scenery."

A standout feature of this Rocky Mountaineer route is its unique dining experience, where the traditional dining car is replaced with an eat-at-your-seat setup, complete with individual tray tables. Each row is treated like a restaurant table, offering personalized service, scheduled meals, and drinks available upon request.

The menu highlights local ingredients, many sourced from areas the train passes through, such as beer-braised short ribs from Epic Brewing, charcuterie made with Colorado bison, elk, and venison, seasonal vegetables from local growers, and desserts from Aspen Baking Company.

For the launch, the drink menu doesn't feature any regional wines (instead offering selections from California and Oregon), but it does include Colorado craft beers from Denver Beer Company. Rocky Mountaineer mentioned that the beverage offerings might evolve throughout the inaugural season as the company explores more local partnerships.

The SilverLeaf Plus class offers an extra course with meals and access to an exclusive lounge, where a mixologist creates craft cocktails using premium spirits.

Though meals are served at your seat, there's still a reason to stretch your legs – each car, regardless of class, is equipped with a small outdoor viewing platform where passengers can take in the fresh mountain air.

The journey – a breathtaking blend of mountains, hot springs, and canyons.

While the Rocky Mountaineer can be experienced in either direction, this account focuses on the east-to-west route.

The adventure begins in Denver, where passengers board the Rocky Mountaineer at the Union Pacific Railyard at 9 a.m. From there, they embark on an eight-hour, 175-mile journey to Glenwood Springs.

As the train departs downtown Denver, situated at 5,280 feet above sea level, passengers say farewell to the skyscrapers and the hustle of city life. These sights won’t be seen again during the journey.

The train leaves the city behind, winding its way into the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains via the historic “Big 10 Curve,” a switchback built in the early 1900s to assist trains with the steep climb. Midway through the curve, two dozen rail cars filled with cement are permanently parked to serve as a windbreak. If you venture out to one of the outdoor viewing platforms, you may experience the region's notorious winds firsthand.

After the challenging climb into the Rockies, the journey reaches the Moffatt Tunnel. Open since 1928, this historic tunnel cuts through the Continental Divide at an impressive 9,239 feet above sea level, emerging at the base of Winter Park Ski Area.

Not far from the tunnel, in Granby, you'll encounter the mighty Colorado River, which you'll follow for much of the remaining journey to Moab. Watch as the rolling green and yellow ranchlands and vast valleys transform into dramatic canyons, culminating on the first day with a ride through the breathtaking Glenwood Canyon.

At 16 miles long, Glenwood Canyon is one of the most scenic stretches of road and rail in Colorado, with jagged cliffs soaring over 1,300 feet high. This natural marvel serves as the gateway to Glenwood Springs, where you'll spend the night and have the opportunity to explore the charming downtown and relax in a hot spring.

The second day’s journey from Glenwood Springs to Moab covers 194 miles, making it a longer stretch than the previous day. However, since the route descends in elevation, the trip takes just five hours.

Yesterday, you witnessed the transformation of Denver and the Front Range into the high-altitude Rockies. Today, the landscape shifts as you explore how Colorado’s Western Slope evolves from lush alpine forests to striking red rock formations and canyons.

The convergence of landscapes happens west of Glenwood, in the Grand Valley, where the towering 11,000-foot Grand Mesa, with its dense green forests, stands in stark contrast to the beige sandstone cliffs of the Book Cliffs Mountain Range.

As you enter the Grand Valley, you’ll pass through the quaint town of Palisade, renowned for the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway, which boasts over 30 wineries and nearly two dozen peach orchards nestled against the Book Cliffs.

Next, the journey takes you through Ruby Canyon, a remote area only accessible by train, foot, or raft, where the red sandstone cliffs create a stunning backdrop. From there, the train crosses into Utah, as the Rocky Mountains give way to the vast desert that leads to Moab.

Starting the adventure with the train as your base

Conventional train travel often emphasizes the journey over the destination. However, the Rocky Mountaineer takes a more contemporary and inclusive approach to this philosophy.

While the two-day train ride is the centerpiece of the trip, Rocky Mountaineer encourages guests to fully experience their destinations with its pre- and post-trip services.

When booking, the company helps guests extend their journey by arranging longer stays both at the departure and arrival points. They also collaborate with tour operators to offer local adventures at the journey's start and end.

There are package deals for extra tours, activities, and hotel accommodations in Denver and Moab. These include visits to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as other nearby destinations like Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas.

The first season of the Rockies to the Red Rocks route will run through November 19, with the 2022 season set to extend to seven months and begin next spring.