Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Flyer Los Angeles to Albuquerque, New Mexico October 1 - 7, 2009 Travel by Pullman car to romantic New Mexico for the world famous Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. If you've never witnessed a mass balloon ascension ... you are in store for a special treat! And for an added bonus, you can join us for a side trip to Santa Fe ... a magnet for art collectors or anyone who appreciates Indian arts and crafts! Please join us on a very exclusive trip (for less than 40 patrons) aboard our mini streamliner that we have dubbed ... the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Flyer. Travel in a style known only to heads of state and industry of the early 20th century, aboard private rail cars. Unlike most travel today, the journey itself is truly part of the destination! Our journey will follow the route of the famed Super Chief , once proud flagship of the AT&SF Railway. Your trip aboard the four car Flyer is planned for pleasure from the minute you step aboard. With an abundance of space aboard our "mini streamliner" and only 40 patrons ... well, you get the idea, this is not your sardine packed wide body, or your super colossal, 5000 passenger liner! For privacy, you have a choice of accommodations ranging from spacious suites to double bedrooms and comfortable roomettes. We also have economically priced open sections. For friendly companionship, room to move about and fabulous dining ambiance, we have the first class lounge/diner, Overland Trail. For meals, there are few private rail car chefs to compare to Chef Shawn's cuisine. For breathtaking scenery and the exhilaration of "floating on a magic carpet", we have the open "back porch" car, Tioga Pass. You'll enjoy mile upon beautiful mile ticking off as the track recedes into the horizon, while the wind wisps through your hair and the aromatic scents of the mountains, river valleys, isolated towns, and deserts fill your nostrils.

Trip Itinerary: Thursday: You'll leave Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal at 6:30 PM. Get acquainted with your fellow travelers over our first on board dinner as the train snakes out of Los Angeles basin for points east. You'll then settle into your authentic Pullman berth for the night as we climb Cajon Pass and commence our race across the desert.
	Friday: Awake the next morning to a freshly prepared breakfast while zipping through the scenic Arizona highlands and desert. By noon, we'll arrive in Albuquerque, our "base of operations" as our cars will shortly be removed from the Southwest Chief. If you detrain during this time, you'll have opportunity to visit the local Indian merchants and peruse their wares ... right on the station platform, (a railroad tradition dating back over half a century). Although this years trip will have the private cars removed at Albuquerque, click here for a photo album showing the removal of the private cars from the Southwest Chief at Lamy.
Passengers may begin their adventure right away! Dinner is on your own, but we'll have some local recommendations for you. Your comfy Pullman room will be ready for you after dinner ... just let the porter know if you would like your bed turned down upon your return.
	Saturday: The mass ascension at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta begins early, so we'll have a light continental breakfast ready before we make our way to the "Road Runner", our express train to the Balloon Fiesta. Upon arrival, we'll make our way to the balloon field were we'll enjoy the wonderful and awe inspiring sights of the mass balloon ascension and all the festival has to offer. Your free to return to the railcars on your schedule. You'll have the balance of the day free for sightseeing.
Sunday: You are free to explore on your own, or maybe you would like to join your fellow travelers for a trip to Santa Fe. We plan to take the new "Rail Runner" rail service to Santa Fe and join a pre-arranged walking tour with a wonderful local provider, Santa Fe Detours: Walking Tour of Santa Fe. Join us for a leisurely 2 and a half hour stroll and a delightful introduction to the history and cultures of Santa Fe. The walk begins in the Plaza where 400 years of history surround you. Together, we will explore the best of Santa Fe, meandering through narrow streets, and wandering down the Old Santa Fe Trail. You'll visit important historic sites, including Sena Plaza and the Barrio de Analco, see the San Miguel Mission, (oldest church in the USA), St. Francis Cathedral and the State Capitol complex. Tours starts at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Extra cost (not included in your base rail tour fare) is $20.00 and includes the walking tour and the Rail Runner commuter train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. For the art collector or those just curious ... Santa Fe is home to more than 100 private galleries. The art and culture industry generates one out of every six jobs and $1 billion annually. Nationally, Santa Fe ranks second in art sales to New York.
	Monday: One more full day of vacation before we depart for home tomorrow. Santa Fe is again yours for the exploring unless ... you would like to join us on our group excursion to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Hidden away in a little-known corner of the southern Rocky Mountains is a precious historic artifact of the American West. Built in 1880 and little changed since, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is the most spectacular example of steam era mountain railroading in North America. Cost is estimated to be an additional $140.00 per person (over the base rail tour price) and is dependant upon multiple participants. The excursion was very well received last year and was voted a valuable part of the overall Balloon Fiesta tour! OR ... you might like a motor coach tour to Taos. Another tour offered by Santa Fe Detours, the trip is a full day tour that departs Santa Fe at 9:00 AM and includes a stop in Chimayo to visit the Santuario de Chimayo, the "Lourdes of the Southwest", and the Rio Grande Weavers, then winds through romantic mountain villages on the High Road. In addition to Taos Pueblo, a World Heritage Site, there is time to visit points of interest in the town of Taos, such as Kit Carson's home or to browse the many exciting shops and galleries of the Taos Art Colony. The return trip includes vistas of Northern New Mexico along the picturesque Rio Grande Gorge and valley. The tour returns to Santa Fe about 5:00 PM. Cost is an additional $89.00 per person. (over the base rail tour price)
Tuesday: Our train doesn't leave until 4:45pm so you'll have half a day for some last exploring in or around Albuquerque. Or cars will again hook up to the Southwest Chief for our return trip to Los Angeles. You'll enjoy dinner on the train as we race through the high desert of New Mexico with the company of your new friends. At your request, the porter will put your bed down for your final night aboard the vintage Pullman cars.
Wednesday: A continental breakfast awaits you as we prepare for an early arrival back in Los Angeles at 7:30 am ... WOW, what a wonderful vacation! Our entire crew and staff will wish you a, "till we meet again" and look forward to your next travel opportunity with us!
Accommodations: Pacific Sands, Salisbury Beach and Tioga Pass will provide our sleeping accommodations. Your sleeping cars feature traditional single person Roomettes and two person Double Bedrooms. All rooms have toilet/sink facilities, individual temperature control, fans and small closet. Couples have the choice of a double bedroom, (Upper and Lower berth) or individual "right across the aisle" roomettes. A limited number of double bedrooms may also be joined together to form a suite for a family/group of four. The cars are equipped with a community shower and a beverage center at one end of each car. There are also a limited number of classic Pullman sections available aboard the Salisbury Beach. Travel as "Lucy" did aboard her classic "return to NY" after the Recardo's and Mertz's hilarious time in Hollywood. Click here for a photo album from a past trip Fares and Accommodations: Los Angeles to Santa Fe, New Mexico and return in authentic Pullman accommodations. Relive the classic era as we "slow the clock down" to a more gracious, genteel and relaxed time. Roomette - Single person rooms with folding "Murphy" style bed. Couples travelling together, but desiring separate rooms can request roomettes "right across the aisle" from each other. $1,595.00 per person, round trip, single occupancy roomettes Double Bedroom - Two person room. (Two adjoining rooms can be booked and ensuited [folding wall opened] for families or friends travelling together). $1,495.00 per person, round trip, double occupancy in a Double Bedroom (Upper and lower berth). Section - Classic Pullman accommodation featuring a comfortable bench seat by day and a heavy curtained sleeping space by night. $1,095.00 per person, lower berth $995.00 per person, upper berth "Presidential suite" - The Tioga Pass features twin staterooms that sleep two each and have more floor space then traditional Pullman double bedrooms. The rooms also share a shower for the exclusive use of the stateroom occupants. $1,895.00 per person, round trip, double occupancy in the presidential suite aboard Tioga Pass. Please reserve early to insure your favorite accommodation. Please call or email your interest, questions, or to sign up for this wonderful adventure. Checks or major credit cards welcome. !0% deposit will hold your space until 30 days prior to sailing at which time the outstanding balance will be due. We reserve the right to substitute, change or reduce the consist based on the number of ticketed passengers.   Since we are catering to those who like expeditions with lots of escorted tours ... and those who like to explore on their own, we have priced our rail adventures accordingly. We offer a rail package fare that includes transportation by vintage private rail cars, meals and beverages aboard the train along with overnight accommodations while in Albuquerque. The side trip to the Balloon Fiesta is also included in your fare. Additional tours are priced below.   Rail Runner and walking tour of Santa Fe, $20.00 per person Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad tour, $140.00 per person Taos Motor Coach Tour, $89.00 per person Cancelation policy: Cancelations for any reason allowed up to 30 days prior to departure. Cancelations less than 30 days before departure are not refundable unless the space can be resold. Trip insurance is recommended and is available at PanTravels.com or (800) 487 4722. Ask for tour package policies.       Operated by LA RAIL.com, INC.   You're going to love this trip ... sign up today! Copyright LA RAIL.com, Inc. 2-08 Last updated 6/14/09