Trains at the Albuquerque BioPark

All aboard! The Albuquerque BioPark offers two train rides on narrow gauge, ¾ scale trains. The Thunderbird Express loops through the Zoo only, and the Rio Line travels between the Zoo and Aquarium/Botanic Garden with a stop at Tingley Beach. Train rides are available Tuesdays-Sundays. Train rides are closed on Mondays for maintenance.

 

Due to the large weekend crowds during summer, Rio Line train tickets are not sold on Saturdays or Sundays from May 26 through August 31. On these weekends, the Rio Line train is reserved for visitors with combo tickets or member train tickets to travel between facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Botanic Garden also has an exhibit where visitors can get a "bird's-eye view" of trains rolling through villages and rumbling over bridges. This Garden Railroad features 'G' scale model trains and miniature landscapes. This is a small model railroad--not to be confused with our passenger trains!

 

Please note that operating days and times are different for each train. See below for details.

 

 

Thunderbird Express at the Zoo 

The Thunderbird Express train, sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories and Lockheed-Martin Corporation, operates in a nonstop loop around the Zoo. Conductors give a behind-the-scenes tour during the 20 minute journey.

 

Days and Times

 

The zoo train runs Tuesday through Sunday, at 30 minute intervals from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. (The train does not run on Mondays.)

 

Train Station Location

Purchase tickets for the Thunderbird Express (Zoo train only) and climb onboard at the "Out of Africa" gift shop and train station in the Africa exhibit. See below for details about the Rio Line train that travels between the Zoo and Aquarium/Botanic Garden.

Zoo Map

 

Ticket Information

• Zoo-only ticket holders may purchase Thunderbird Express train tickets at the "Out of Africa" gift shop in Africa. Tickets cost $2 for adults and $1 for children, ages 3 - 12. School groups may also purchase these tickets to ride the Thunderbird Express.

• With a combo ticket, unlimited train rides are included. Combo tickets may be purchased from cashiers at the entrance to the Zoo or Aquarium/Garden until 12:00 pm.

• For members of the New Mexico BioPark Society, special member wristbands are available for $2 per person (ages 3+). This pass gives you unlimited access to both trains. Members must buy these tickets from the cashiers at the entrance to the Zoo or Aquarium/Garden. Member train tickets are available until 3:00 pm.

 

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Rio Line between the Zoo, Tingley Beach and Aquarium/Botanic Garden   

The Rio Line train travels between the Aquarium/Garden and the Zoo, stopping at each facility and the Tingley Train Station. Conductors give an interpretive tour and answer your questions as you ride. A round trip journey lasts approximately one hour.

Days and Times

Train Station Locations

Seasonal Schedules

Ticket Information

 

Ticket availability varies with the season. Please refer to the schedules below when planning your trip.

 

Due to the large weekend crowds during summer, Rio Line train tickets are not sold on Saturdays or Sundays from May 26 through August 31. On these weekends, the Rio Line train is reserved for visitors with combo tickets or member train tickets to travel between facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days and Times

Tuesdays through Sundays. (Trains do not operate on Mondays.) Trains run from approximately 10:00am to 3:45pm. The last trains leave the Aquarium/Garden Station and the Asia Station at the zoo at 3:45pm. The last train leaves the Tingley Station at 3:00pm.

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Train Station Locations

Aquarium/Garden Train Station - Located in the west parking lot of the Aquarium/Garden at the intersection of Central and Tingley Drive. Trains usually arrive at 15 minutes before and after the hour. (From November-February, the train arrives only 15 minutes before the hour.) Purchase tickets in the Aquarium Gift Shop. The last train for the day leaves at 3:45pm.

 

Zoo - Asia Train Station - Located at the north end of the Zoo beyond the giraffes and elephants. Trains usually arrive at 15 minutes before and after the hour. (From November-February, the train arrives only 15 minutes after the hour.) To board the Rio Line train at this station, zoo visitors must purchase a combo ticket or member train ticket at the zoo front entrance. No Rio Line train-ride-only tickets are sold at the Zoo. The last train for the day leaves at 3:45pm.

 

Tingley Train Station - Located at Tingley Beach on Tingley Drive. Parking is available both north and south of the station. Trains usually arrive on the hour and 30 minutes after the hour. (From November-February, the train arrives only once an hour on the hour). Purchase tickets at Tingley Beach Outfitters, the gift shop inside the station. The last train for the day leaves at 3:00pm.

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Seasonal Schedules

Summer Schedule - May 26-August 31

• Trains stop at each station approximately every 30 minutes.
• Aquarium Gift Shop and Tingley Beach Outfitters - Tickets available Tuesdays-Fridays only.

Fall Schedule - September 1-October 31

• Trains stop at each station approximately every 30 minutes.
• Aquarium Gift Shop - Tickets available Tuesdays-Sundays.
• Tingley Beach Outfitters - Tickets available on Saturdays and Sundays only.

Winter Schedule - November-February

• Train stops at each station approximately every hour.
• Aquarium Gift Shop - Tickets available Tuesdays-Sundays.
• Tingley Beach Outfitters - Tickets available on Saturdays and Sundays only.

Spring Schedule - March-May

• Trains stop at each station approximately every 30 minutes.
• Aquarium Gift Shop - Tickets available Tuesdays-Sundays.
• Tingley Beach Outfitters - Tickets available on Saturdays and Sundays only.

 

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Ticket Information

• Rio Line tickets for the train-ride-only are available* at Tingley Beach Outfitters gift shop or the Aquarium gift shop for $2 per adult and $1 per child (ages 3-12). You may not get on or off at the Zoo Station with this kind of ticket.

  *Please check the schedules above for details about ticket availability.

 

Due to the large weekend crowds during summer, Rio Line train tickets are not sold on Saturdays or Sundays from May 26 through August 31. On these weekends, the Rio Line train is reserved for visitors with combo tickets or member train tickets to travel between facilities.

 

 

 

 

• Aquarium/Garden-only ticket holders may purchase a train-ride-only ticket* at the Aquarium Gift Shop. You may not get on or off at the Zoo Station with this kind of ticket.

  *Please check the schedules above for details about ticket availability.

• Zoo-only ticket holders may not ride the Rio Line from the Zoo but can purchase tickets for the Thunderbird Express Zoo Train in Africa. There are no transfers between the Thunderbird Express and Rio Line trains.

• With a combo ticket, unlimited train rides on ALL BioPark trains are included. Combo ticket holders may get on or off at any station. Combo tickets may be purchased from cashiers at the entrance to the Zoo or Aquarium/Garden until 12:00pm.

• For members of the New Mexico BioPark Society, special member wristbands are available for $2 per person (ages 3+). This pass gives you unlimited access to both trains on the date of purchase. Members must buy these tickets from the cashiers at the entrance to the Zoo or Aquarium/Garden. Member train tickets are available Tuesdays-Sundays until 3:00 pm. In order to conduct scheduled maintenance, trains do not run on Mondays.

• School Groups may not use the Rio Line to transport students between the Zoo and the Aquarium/Garden. Please plan to use your school buses if you will be visiting both facilities.

 

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Garden Model Railroad at the Botanic Garden   

 

The Garden Railroad is on a shaded pathway between the entrance and the Butterfly Pavilion. Two 400 foot loops of 'G' scale brass rails on free-floating tracks run by villages, over trestle bridges and through tunnels. Trains run in all kinds of weather. BioPark volunteers from New Mexico Garden Railroaders operate the railroad and answer your questions.

This Botanic Garden exhibit is included with regular admission.

 

 

Hours

The Garden Railroad is currently operating only as volunteer schedules permit. There is no set schedule.

 

December: River of Lights Schedule

(River of Lights will be November 29-December 30, 2008.)

Wednesday-Sunday, 1:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:30pm

 

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