Not just for commuters anymore

Riding the rails has become a popular way to spend a Saturday in central New Mexico

The newly-built train station in Los Lunas is abuzz with activity every weekday morning as hundreds of passengers prepare to board the New Mexico Rail Runner for their daily commute.

Los Lunas Rail Runner station at dusk

Most of these passengers are content to use the commuter train for just that, a cheaper way to get to and from their jobs. But other people like to use the Rail Runner as part of a day trip to Albuquerque or Santa Fe.

It is not only their transportation, but also part of the fun. Passengers can go shopping in downtown Albuquerque, visit any number of casinos along the route, or play tourist for a day in Santa Fe.

Two years in the making

The New Mexico Rail Runner began commuter service from Belen to Bernalillo in July 2006. At that time, the train only offered a Monday through Friday schedule and was primarily built to relieve some of the freeway congestion during peak-commuter hours.

For two years the train ran along the 50 miles of pre-existing track between Belen and Bernalillo. December 2008 marked the inaugural run from Belen to Santa Fe on a section of track built specifically for the Rail Runner.

Riders board the train in downtown Albuquerque on a Saturday afternoon

With the new Santa Fe extension came the addition of several Saturday trains. Regular Saturday service was not a part of the original commuter train plans but began in January 2009 due to the number of passengers interested in casual travel.

Saturday train travel can cost between $1 and $7, depending on the number of zones traveled through.

A family outing

Jennifer Jaramillo, mother of two toddler boys, said her little ones love to ride the train.

“They get so excited and they know that when we ride the train, we are in for a day of adventures,” she said.

Karsen Thomas of Los Lunas points out "slow cars" to his mother as they ride to Santa Fe

This Saturday, they are boarding the train in Los Lunas and heading to the Albuq-uerque Biopark.

“We have an annual pass to the biopark and can catch a bus there from the downtown station,” she said. “It works out perfectly for us since we can bring everything we need, like the stroller, on the train.”

Even more reason to ride the rails

The Rail Runner and the city of Albuquerque have partnered to offer free bus travel to those with a Rail Runner ticket or receipt. This is especially effective since it motivates people to ride the train knowing that they will have transportation anywhere in the city upon their arrival.

The Rail Runner also offers several discounts via Rail Runner Discount Cards to museums, monuments and businesses along the train’s corridor.

According to the New Mexico Tourism Department Web site, www.newmexico.org, there is free admission to select museums and monuments for Rail Runner passengers through March 31, 2009.

Some restaurants, businesses and casinos even offer free shuttle service from the train stations for passengers.

Duane and Janie Hamar, of Albuquerque, took the Rail Runner to Santa Fe with a group of co-workers.

They boarded the 11:32 a.m. train in downtown Albuquerque for the 90-minute ride to the Santa Fe Depot. Upon arrival, they got on a free shuttle to the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino for a day of slot machines and table games.

“We have never been on the train before,” Duane Hamar said. “We thought we would make a day trip out of it and experience the train.”

The Hamars enjoy their first trip on the Rail Runner

Janie Hamar said that she thinks it is great that the train is offering Saturday service. “Not everyone needs a commuter train, some of us just want to ride it for fun,” she said.

The Rail Runner has taken these casual riders seriously and recently began offering hotel packages in Santa Fe. The packages include Rail Runner tickets, 2-3 nights in a selected hotel and dinner or massages for two.

CNM student Jackie Padilla is taking advantage of one of these packages.

“We live in a beautiful state and the Rail Runner is a great service, why not jump on the train, relax, and enjoy the scenery that we so often take for granted,” Padilla said. "Plus, I get a massage when I get there."

To purchase tickets, packages and annual passes online, visit www.nmrailrunner.com or call 1-866-795-RAIL for schedule and ticket information.

Written March 12, 2009

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