Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
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.
(212 reviews)
