Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
- March 29, 2008
- Rated 3 of 5 by
MikeInTown from Norristown, Pennsylvania
This museum pleasantly exceeded my expectations. It is located in downtown Durango across the tracks from the train station. Our ticket stubs from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad excursion gained us free admission.
Inside the museum are full steam locomotives with loaded tender (coal) cars, old passenger cars, and an obsolete caboose. You are allowed to enter the cars (including the locomotives) and learn about the function and design of each. The locomotives were impressive with all their complex valves and controls.
In addition to the train vehicles, there are other items in the museum such as switches, ore, various gauges of track, and even examples of the type of luggage people used in the 1800’s. We spent time browsing these exhibits and watching a video on the restoration of the Durango & Silverton train we had ridden earlier that day. We also observed and operated an impressive model railroad layout.
The museum can be seen within an hour. You will need more time if you decide to watch all the video presentations. Some of them are rather long. Additionally, some videos go pretty deep into the technical details of steam locomotion. Overall, my visit to Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum was a pleasant, informative experience. I’m sure most visitors can find something of interest by spending a short time here.
From journal Durango: Silver and Coal
Editor Pick
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- March 29, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
MikeInTown from Norristown, Pennsylvania
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers a scenic train ride between Durango and Silverton, Colorado on a restored steam locomotive train. The railroad has been in operation since 1882 when its original purpose was to transport silver and other ore from the mines of Silverton.
After paying $7 to park in the gravel lot and picking up our pre-purchased train tickets, we boarded. The traditional coach car I booked cost slightly more than the open-air gondola car but I am really glad we paid the extra fare. The 45-degree morning air would have been a bit too chilly for us to ride in the open-air car.
With the crescendo of the steam whistle and clangs of the bell, our train pulled out of the station at 9 AM sharp. Smoke from the coal-powered engine billowed into the air. It was quite a spectacle. People stood along the tracks waving and pointing. There were cars stopped on streets and overpasses as we moved through the town. People with very expensive-looking cameras on tripods were perched on hills and bridges trying to get the perfect shot. Even the prairie dogs in the fields seemed to come out of their holes and stand on their hind legs to catch a glimpse of this blast the past.
As our journey continued, the temperature rose to a comfortable level for us to open the windows of our coach and take in the full train experience. The car squeaked as it rocked side to side. The wheels clattered and squealed. We could smell the smoke from the locomotive as it chugged its way up the mountains. Looking of out the window revealed forests with rushing streams. We traveled around steep, breath-taking cliffs. The right-hand side of the train seemed to have the best scenery during the ride to Silverton. Occasionally, the train stops. When this happens, make sure you are seated or holding onto something because the train sometimes resumes with a strong jolt.
There is a concession car but I recommend bringing your own snacks. The line to purchase snacks in the concession car was long and the prices rather high.
About 3.5 hours after leaving Durango, our train pulled into the station in Silverton which is nestled between the tall, picturesque San Juan Mountains. Reminiscent of it mining past, Silverton looks like an Old West town with saloons, general stores, and dirt roads.
We were given about 2 hours to wander the souvenir shops before everyone needed to be back onboard for the return trip to Durango. For variety, I had purchased tickets for the bus return trip option instead of the train. The 1.5-hour bus ride back to Durango was absolutely captivating. It gave a different perspective than the train ride. The contrast of the fall colors and snow-capped mountains was postcard-worthy. The left side of the bus seemed to have the better views.
You’ll need at least 8 hours to do this scenic excursion. Check their website for operating times and availability. They also offer vacation packages that include hotel and nearby Mesa Verde National park in addition to the train ride.
From journal Durango: Silver and Coal
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
- March 20, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
baolive from Mancos, Colorado
Certainly one of Durango's premier tourist activities. If you go (and you should) be prepared to spend most of the day on the ride unless you plan ahead and reserve a seat on the bus back from Silverton, which is what I would suggest. While it costs a little extra ($5.00 last time I went) it will save you a couple of hours, and the last hour or so on the train can be very boring. On the trip outbound I would suggest that you try to get a seat on the right hand side of the train as this has the best views (unless your afraid of heights!). If you can manage to make it during railfest (late August) you can see other narrow gauge trains that come in special. In late November and Most of December they run the Polar Express for kids.
From journal Durango, Colorado (Locals View)
Editor Pick
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
We spent a carefree day amidst spectacular, rugged mountain scenery without navigating sharp hairpin mountain curves with our car. We took the three-and-half hour round trip from Durango to Silverton. Then we had lunch and roamed through the streets of historic old Silverton before boarding a bus.
On another occasion, we bought one-way tickets for myself and our four kids, and my husband picked us up in the van in Silverton. The kids were quite thrilled with the ride. Our oldest son got so excited about the scenery that he dropped his water bottle when he was standing in the open observatory car.
Other options for riding the train include staying overnight in Silverton and returning to Durango the next day, or taking the bus back to Durango.
Train departures in the morning and arrivals in the late afternoon create a sense of excitement in this old mining mountain town. Cameras click and passengers wave to curious onlookers as the train passes-full steam ahead-through the historic downtown area.
Durango owes its very life to the historic 110-year old train. The town was founded in 1879 mby the Denver Rio Grande Railway when they extended their line from Durango to Silverton to haul precious mine ores. By 1882, the railroad began running and already 2,000 people called this picturesque mountain town home. The train travels the same spectacular scenic route high above the Animas River in the majestic San Juan Mountains as it did back in the old mining days.
When mines were operating in the Animas Valley, this train transported an estimated 300 million dollars worth of precious metals, primarily gold and silver. In 1981, the railroad sold its rolling stock, depot and roundhouse to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Company, who pledged to preserve the history and restore the authenticity of the train. Durango train ride offers carefree, scenic day in mountains.
Special holiday trains give visitors a view of the snow-covered remote winter wonderland in November and December. Due to heavy snows blocking the canyon at higher elevations, the train runs half way to Silverton and returns to Durango.
For reservations, 1 888/442-4222. For more information, contact Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301l or www.durango.com.
From journal "HOLLYWOOD OF THE ROCKIES"