Alamosa, Colo. (May 14, 2008) – The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, Colorado’s newest scenic train, kicks off a new season of trips on May 24, and begins a countdown to the return of its popular High Altitude Concert Series on July 17. In its second year, the train’s mountain concerts feature the return of legendary cowboy poet and Western Music Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Martin Murphey, along with country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs, family harmony group, The Whites, among other national recording artists.

The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad has the only ticket to this exclusive Colorado concert setting nestled among the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on board the Highnote Express train out of Alamosa or La Veta. Set among a natural meadow amphitheater of aspens and pines under clear starry skies, performances take place on Fridays and Saturdays through August.

Beatlemania rounds out The High Altitude Concert schedule with performances by The Liverpool Legends on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23. Dubbed the ultimate Beatle Tribute Show, The Liverpool Legends are comprised of four musicians and actors hand-picked by Louise Harrison, the sister of George Harrison and manager of the group. Select concert tickets are $85 and $95 and include one round-trip ride on the Highnote Express. For full concert details, go to http://riograndescenicrailroad.com/Colorado-High-Altitude-Concert-Series.html.

In its third year, Colorado’s newest steam train offers regular weekly roundtrip service, along with special weekend excursions seven days a week. New this year, is a train making accessibility by Colorado Front Range passengers easier than ever. Passengers can hitch a ride from La Veta, just 16 miles from Interstate 25 near Walsenburg (under two and a half hours south of Denver), on weekends throughout the season. Weekend trips also are available to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, via a shuttle, that provides two hours for passengers to explore and hike the dunes. The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad also makes one of the few standard and narrow gauge connections in North America with the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad.

For more information, visit www.riograndescenicrailroad.com; to make reservations, call 877-726-RAIL.

About Rio Grande Scenic Railroad:

Historically called the Scenic Line of the World, The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is Colorado’s newest mountain train offering steam engine rides through breathtaking mountain valleys and over legendary La Veta pass on hundreds of miles of historic rail. Daily and weekend excursions offer riders a trip back in time on restored passenger cars that stop at historic towns, Great Sand Dunes National Park and connect with the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad.