Cumbres/Toltec Railroad - Which Way To Ride & Where To Stay?

[neeliec]

We hope to make a trip to northern NM/ southern CO later this year (September) and take a ride on the Cumbres/Toltec Scenic Railroad.  

We're curious about opinions on which way to travel:  start in Chama NM and end up in Antonito CO, or vice versa.  Has anyone taken this train ride?

Also would be open to suggestions for RV camping spots at either end of the railroad route.  We'll be in a 29' Class A with a small toad behind us.

Thanks!
Eileen in AZ

[dorgene]

The C-T RR crosses the Continental Divide.  The grade is steeper on the Chama side, so the steam engine(s) work harder going up.  Sometimes they use 2 engines to get up the grade if they have a heavier load of people.  So most people prefer to start in Chama.  Also, there is a rest/lunch stop in the middle where both east and west trains meet.   You have the option of returning to Chama or going onto Antonito.  Sorry, don't know anything about campgrounds.

[OkieDave]

We did the C-T RR from Antonito. It is an all day adventure with lunch in the middle (included in the price) and then a bus return to Antonito.  The bus coming back is a little over an hour.  Very fun trip. There are several nice RV parks in the area. I use rvparkreviews.com to find place to stay.