What came first, the train or the town? In the case of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, it was the train that made the town. The Denver & Rio Grande Railway founded Durango in 1880 after nearby Animas City refused the train line's offer.
Aboard the train's original coal-powered steam engines, guests climb nearly 3,000 feet in elevation during its 45-mile course between Durango and Silverton. These 1923 to 1925 steam trains have been lovingly restored to provide a comfortable rail experience and include large picture windows, bathrooms, and concessions. The cars are heated during the winter months. Guests can also venture out onto the open-air gondolas to get an up-close look at the awe-inspiring scenery that encompasses this mountainous region.
All Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad passengers are treated to stunning views regardless of the service class they select. As one of the United States' last remaining narrow-gauge rail lines - operating on tracks that are just 3-feet wide - this railway navigates tight curves and negotiates steep mountainscapes with ease. The scenic journey is made at a leisurely pace of merely 20 miles per hour, offering ample chances for incredible photos during the 3 1/2-hour route.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad only travels the full 45-mile course from May to October, passing by Rockwood Station and Cascade Station en route to Silverton. From November to May, the train follows a condensed route of 26 miles between Durango and the Cascade Station during the winter months. Even the abbreviated version of this journey is truly memorable - especially when cloaked in a layer of snow.
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