Story by Dan Mayfield - Of the Journal

SANTA FE — Even though the Rail Runner is set up as a commuter train, the “rest of us can still get a lot out of it.

The Rail Runner, New Mexico's first commuter rail train, has several trips daily between Santa Fe and Albuquerque — but one of the biggest concerns for people wanting to take the train to Santa Fe is: Now what? Can you get around Santa Fe once you get off the train? How much does it cost and how far can you go?

Well, you can go pretty far.

For a day trip to Santa Fe from Albuquerque it's easy to get on and off the train and there's plenty to do, eat and see in Santa Fe that's easily accessible from the train.

First, though, you have to park. At the Albuquerque Journal Center station's parking lot last Thursday, the lot was full. The parking along the side of the road was full. The only available spaces were far east of the actual train station, so plan for a good walk from your car and a cold walk back. Others on the train said that it's tough to park in Downtown Albuquerque, where you also have to pay.

Getting on the train is straightforward, and on the late-morning train there were plenty of empty seats. Though some have thought that you need to buy a ticket on the Internet or from the Downtown Albuquerque station, the conductor will take a credit card or cash on the train for a one-way trip or a day pass ($8, but it's $1 less over the Rail Runner Web site, and $6 if you're a senior). But seats are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so even if you've bought one from the Web site, you're not guaranteed a seat.

The 80-minute trip itself moves along quickly and smoothly. People walk around to the upstairs cars where you get a nice view up the tracks and over Interstate 25. Seats in the front of each car have tables for working or eating. There are even outlets for laptop computers, but no Internet access. Though dogs aren't allowed, people do bring bicycles and skateboards to get around on.

Every third person walking around the train was clearly looking for one thing: The bathroom. Yes, each car does have its own facilities. And they work well.

The fun starts when you get off the train in Santa Fe — if you can find the shuttles, anyway. There are no signs to direct you to the shuttles that get you around the town. Walk north along the tracks, past the Santa Fe Southern station and toward Sanbusco Center.

Several of the northern New Mexico casinos offer shuttles to their front doors and the city shuttles are easy and free. Just don't forget to ask the driver for a schedule so you know when he's coming back to pick you up.

There are two types of free shuttles, the Santa Fe Trails and the Santa Fe Pick-Up. The Trails shuttles — purple and pink lines — are the downtown shuttles that go to the Capitol, the Plaza and up Cerrillos Road. Shuttles leave soon after trains arrive, not on a regular interval schedule, so be sure to catch one if you need it.

The Pick-Up shuttle will take you to the Plaza, to Museum Hill and to the entrance of Canyon Road. It takes only 10 minutes to get anywhere on the free shuttles. There is a map available of shuttle stops at the Santa Fe Southern depot and at nearby restaurants.

Kay Barber, a tour guide in Santa Fe, said she's become a fan of the taxis, which wait at a cab stand near the station. But, she said, the shuttle bus drivers are open to special requests for now, if you're nice about it.

"The shuttle guys will go anywhere," she said with a wink.

The shuttle schedule stops are a bit cryptic, however. The Hilton stop is the best for the Georgia O'Keeffe ' Museum and the public library stop is the best for the Palace of the Governors and the Plaza. The shuttles also stop at most of the major downtown hotels. The "M" shuttle runs from the Downtown Transportation Center to Museum Hill from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Rail Runner Web site has a list of restaurants, businesses and museums to visit, but print out a copy before you leave home because the trains don't have Internet access.

But you don't have to take a shuttle to get around. Santa Fe is a walkable town and dining and shopping destinations are nearby.

"Part of my plan is to spend my money," said Dianne Whitehead, who's from Ruidoso but took the train from Albuquerque with her friend Joe Yates last week. "They've got neat things there in the Plaza."

And those neat things there are only a short 15-minute walk away. But you don't need to go to the Plaza to find some of Santa Fe's gems of shopping and dining.

The Railyard development is all new and stretches from Paseo de Peralta up to Sanbusco Center along South Guadalupe Street.

"We've had a lot of people from Albuquerque come down," said Jenmarie Mazurek of Gebert Contemporary.

The Railyard area, anchored by SITE Santa Fe, is becoming known for its contemporary and modernist art.

"People are getting a bit burned out on regional art and they're seeking other art," Mazurek said.

From the Station coffee shop to the upscale Rail Yard restaurant and the famous Tomasita's, there's plenty of good grub available within a two-minute walk of the station. The Railyard also has sprouted — it is Santa Fe, after all — new art galleries. The new Gebert Contemporary gallery, William Siegal Gallery and James Kelly Gallery and several more are in the same shopping center. SITE Santa Fe, which is in the midst of installing a new show, is just across Paseo de Peralta.

In the same neighborhood, Santa Fe's all-ages venue Warehouse 21, the Farmers Market, which now has its own building, and coming soon, a Flying Star restaurant.

The trip back is just as easy.  Just remember to bring your receipt from the morning trip or you may have to pay again. Sit facing north if you get a chance. The train doesn't have curtains — and you'll stare into the sun for the 80-minute trip back.

For schedules, online ticketing and more visit www.nmrailrunner.com. For a video of how the Rail Runner works, visit www.ABQJournal.com