The crowd in the lounge car may depend on how busy the train is. If you should see dozens of Boy Scouts on the train, then I would make sure I had a seat by the time the train stops in Trinidad. Raton Pass has its good points, although I don't think it is as scenic as some other routes. Note that you will see no other trains during this trip west of Trinidad except for passing Amtrak going in the other direction, as only Amtrak uses this route between Trinidad and most of the way to Albuquerque. You can probably step off the train and take note of the beautiful station building with the tower facing at an angle toward the tracks. ( I would NOT go into the station, however - the town seems to have fixed up the waiting room to better condition than what it was. ) You will then be traveling across high desert with distant mountain ranges, right out of the Old West. I have gotten to be appreciative of the beauty of New Mexico, which has a character all its own. Some of it is kind of like a third world country. I may be a little off in location, but keep an eye peeled in the vicinity of Las Vegas, NM for the big S curve and the crossing of the Pecos River. ( I wish somebody would remove those junk cars from the river on the north side. ) Heading toward Lamy, you will descend Glorieta Pass, through a narrow, twisting canyon. I like watching this stretch through the back window of the rear coach. The station in Lamy looks like something out of a movie set. It is kind of weatherbeaten on the outside, but is cozy on the inside. ( Again, do not try and go inside the station and risk getting left behind. ) The picnic area on the east side of the station grounds used to be occupied by what I believe was a Fred Harvey Hotel. Enjoy your trip. Message me if you have more questions about this route, as I live within earshot of BNSF in Flagstaff.
