Browse different rides & seasonal events. Excursions begin May 6, departing from the Durango Depot. In 1950, the freight/mail compartment was converted to carry 20 additional passengers for sightseeing trips. I recommend the Cascade Canyon trip. In 1887 it was rebuilt into a combination coach-baggage car and numbered 215. durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad. The train is the subject of the song The Silverton, by C. W. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on Twitter: "Behind the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - Wikipedia We will stop at our office in Silverton for . It's long enough, and not too long. Standard class steam excursions available every dayMay 28 - Aug 11, 2022 and Sep 2 - Oct 15, 2022. From leisurely rides to and from Silverton to . It was given number 313, because it resembled the Silver Vista. All Aboard! - Official Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train Below are the dates that each car is available for booking during the winter months of 2022. The train ride seemed long to me at 3-1/2 hours and ending up in Silverton for 2 hours which is a small town without much flair or things to do. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was originally built in 1881-82 as part of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway's effort to reach the rich mines of the San Juan Mountains.For decades, the line hauled ore from Silverton down to Durango, but after World War II its business shifted to tourism.It continues to be a major tourist attraction in southwest Colorado and has been named both . Annual snowslides and several major floods on the branch would only continue to challenge the railroad's ability to survive. They empty the trains for 2 hours at Silverton so people can have lunch and walk around the town to visit shops and businesses. 1. Built in the winter of 19871988, the Rio Grande was originally railbus trailer 1002 and was painted red. It was restored by the Eastern California Museum from 2009 to 2017, with some help from members of the D&S Shop crew. 5 came to rest in Dolores, Colorado. From May 27 through September 15 Elk Park trips ran at 7:30a.m. and 3:30p.m. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. New firemen sometimes have a hard time learning this, because the art of "reading" a fire takes time to learn and the amount of time working on the K-28 class locomotives is much-reduced compared to the railroad's usual K-36 workhorses, which have a larger firebox and are more forgiving in technique. With this effort, "The Painted Train" officially started a new era of tourism that continues to this day. K-36 steam locomotive #486 and Diesel engine "Big Al" #7 in Durango on October 25, 2012. In 1957 it was converted for coach service. Free shipping for many products! That train is also an option in the summer, but most folks do Durango to Silverton and back - that's almost 9 hours total including almost 2 hours . Currently out of service. We were served soft drinks (free) and were offered mixed drinks (for a fee). Built originally as a mining line, the scenic value of the Durango and Silverton was quickly recognized in passenger service. There is some plastic elements on the cars that could be upgraded with metal for more realistic look and feel, but that will reflect the final price. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 6 Reasons Your Family Will Love Spring Break at Purgatory Resort, 5 Things To Do On Your Day Off From Skiing, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Available seven days a week from May 1 - November 7, One departure daily from the Durango Depot at 9:30 am, Available seven days a week from May 22 -October 31, Two departures daily from the Durango Depot:the diesel train departure at 8:00 am;the steam departure at 9:00 am, This is a 9.25 roudtrip excursion3 1/2 hours on the train each way with a two-hour layover in Silverton. It was converted to a coach-snack bar by the D&RGW in 1963 then reconverted in 1979 to a coach. It could seat 32 people and had a 300-horsepower (220kW) six-cylinder Caterpillar engine. Relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a spectacular journey on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. For others who have traveled with us before, and are familiar with our train and western hospitality, we want to thank you for coming backwere glad to see you again! Durangos elevation is 6,512 feet above sea level and Silverton sits comfortably at 9,305 feet elevation. Since then, its headquarters were moved to Durango, Colorado. Built in 198788 winter, motorcar 1001 was named Tamarron. They both feature historic railway equipment used on the D&RGW line. Daily excursions run from May through October with departures from both Durango and Silverton. View the Skyway Tour schedule & fares. The bus ride backs saves you about 2 hours and I thought was the best part of the trip although it rained the whole way so the views were not there. Is 17 feet (5.2m) long, and was built in 1886. Steam looks great and it's nostalgic. No. Theres no bad time of year for a Durango train ride, this journey offers scenic views for all ages, all throughout the year. The "Skyway Tour" option saves time & rewards . Today, nearly 140 years later, the Durango train is just as an essential part of the city's livelihood and culture as it was in its founding days. Visit the Mayflower Mill, Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour, be deputized by the Silverton Gunfighters, or take a listen to the Silverton Brass Band; all offered May to October. Not even once or twice. No. | I think I had higher expectations because we have previously done the Leadville train. We are happy to help you find the best Durango train deals. I called to see how people managed and was told that people who booked the one-way trip had someone who was not taking . Former mail baggage car 66 was used as the ticket window, office and waiting room for the railway. I worried about the possibility of rain. Site developed by Agency Tourism Marketing, Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose #5 Excursions, K-28 100th Anniversary Fall Photo Special, Ghost Crawl: Haunted Durango Train Museum Experience, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Except for severe weather conditions, the D&SNG runs trains as scheduled. The original Cinco Animas could seat up to thirty passengers. Just as narrow-gauge equipment and parts are rare, narrow-gauge railroads are rare these days too. The cars currently have a limited capacity of 20 people so each family was able to spread out. On display in the Durango and Silverton RR Museum, engine 42 was one of 6 class-70 2-8-0 locomotives built by Baldwin in 1887 for the D&RG. The seats did well to seat 2 people in them and it was tight. [citation needed], The observation car on the Silverton route in 1951. [citation needed]. Following the ICC's ruling, the railroad reluctantly responded by investing in additional rolling stock, track maintenance and improvements to the Durango depot. Choose from a 9-hour round trip tour, a train/bus combination, or a train & adventure package to fit in as much fun during your trip as possible! Around 1941, 315 made its way to Durango and became a yard switcher. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. In 1938, it was sold to Warner Bros. and was used in many films. 3. [4] Today, the D&SNG, along with the C&TSRR, are the only two remaining parts of the former D&RGW narrow-gauge network. 18 later arrived to Durango on lease from the Eastern California Museum in November, 2018 and it stayed until October, 2019. The seats on the train (in the car with the glass top) reversed so we always were able to sit going forward. Built in 1878, the Nomad was originally named Fairplay. It was stored from 1992 to 1997, until it was rebuilt as an open observation car 313. The Durango yard facilities also saw dramatic improvements. Several folks did what you are thinking. It is rugged and gorgeous! It was our first on the Diesel. Yes, give them a call. It also features many artifacts from the Durango and Silverton areas. You can find more information about the Durango train and Durango train rides here on our site. An extension was added to the old roundhouse, a new car shop was built on the site of the original "car barn", and the depot saw extensive repair and internal modifications. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad announced this week it has purchased four new diesel engines, including these being . Open Observation cars 406409 and 413416 were built between 1982 and 1986, The original Silver Vista was built in 1947 by the D&RGW. Bachmann Trains - Durango & Silverton Ready To Run Electric Train Set In 1958 the 42 was sold to Magic Mountain Amusement Park in Golden, Colorado, where it was converted to burn fuel oil and operated for a short time. A National Historic Landmark and one of the most popular heritage railroads in North America, this train offers a unique, affordable, family-friendly travel experience that combines Colorados colorful pioneering and mining histories with unparalleled backcountry beauty. Find the most current Durango train schedule by clicking below. Age rated 14 and Durango and Silverton - HO scale ready to run Electric train set. The company is converting a coal train, pictured, to run on oil in order to . Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. Bachmann HO Scale Durango & Silverton Electric Train Set - eBay Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Tall Timber Legend 631 & Tall Timber Legacy 632. 1880s vintage coaches were exquisitely restored and new coaches were added to the roster of rolling stock. #499 was later traded for K-36 class No. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. A National Historic Landmark and one of the most popular heritage railroads in North America, this train offers a unique . Opened in 1998, the D&SNG Museum is a tribute to railroading nationally and southwest Colorado. Looks Very good and locomotive is heavy and well made. Get around Durango in style with rental vehicles. 127 is now used as a movie theater in the museum. Looking for the Durango train schedule? The engines were delivered with Master Mechanics-design smokeboxes for draft; however at some point the D&RGW converted them to Andersson (cyclone) front ends. Some rolling-stock dates back to the 1880s. The Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Train Car and Seating Options. It was rebuilt by the D&SNG in 1984 with a kitchen, a bathroom and beds. No matter where you are riding on the train, the views of the Colorado back country are always truly stunning. There was a family that got on and off midway at Rockwood Station and I would HIGHLY recommend anyone interested look into that option. It was changed to car 403 in 1885. Along the way, youll be treated to stunning vistas beside the pristine Animas River San Juan Forest through wilderness inaccessible by roads. Durango & Silverton scenic round-trip train ride in Colorado is a popular trip embarking on a journey through the beautiful San Juan Mountains. The route along the Animas, which begins high in the San Juan Mountains and ends in a confluence with the San Juan River in New Mexico, boasts some of Colorados most striking canyon scenery. In July 1881, the Denver & Rio Grande reached Durango and started building the final 45-mile stretch up the Animas River to Silverton. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It was used with the Animas Canyon Railway Diesel-powered rail-bus. The workforce grew with the railroad, and Durango's tourist image expanded as new businesses and revamping of the old railroad town continued to take shape. *The first class Knight Sky car on the Silverton diesel train is available May 26 through September 19, 2022. The price is just $15.00 and as with all of our merchandise, all proceeds go to benefit the Durango Railroad Historical Society. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, often abbreviated as the D&SNG, is a 3 ft (914mm) narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates on 45.2mi (72.7km) of track between Durango and Silverton, in the U.S. state of Colorado. There is also a movie coach that was used in the filming of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where the railroad's informational and educational films are featured. The Durango area boasts nearly 300 days of sunshine each year. After a rebuild in 1937 it became a parlor-buffet car named Alamosa. For the first time in many years, double-headed trains (trains with two locomotives) and additional scheduled trains were employed to handle the continually-growing passenger trade. Anyone done this? I'd previously traveled on the DSNGR in winter, and took another 4 inexperienced passengers with me this time. Both are smooth rides. This results in the draft being forced through the fire bed in the thinner areas towards the flue sheet, which usually is hindered by the lack of draft between the grates and the arch brick. The museum is located in the Durango roundhouse. 499 was traded to the Royal Gorge Park in May, 1999 and is placed on display. I am sorry, not sure. 631 was built in 1985 and named the North Star. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. A typical trip uses around 35 short tons (2.684.46 long tons; 2.724.54t) on the way up to Silverton and another 12 short tons (0.891.79 long tons; 0.911.81t) on the return to Durango. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. also had a six-axle narrow-gauge diesel locomotive (#3000) for trial use in Durango in the 1950s, which saw limited use. Locomotive No. On the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad youll have an amazing opportunity to take a journey back in time and experience the sights and sounds of yesteryear. Silverton steam train runs from May 7 - October 29. The Animas River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the entire western United States. The railbus was repaired and began operations on May 6, 1989. IMHO you can only make small talk with strangers for so long - Ha! Your Guide to the Durango & Silverton Scenic Train Ride in 2021 Then, in July, 1998, the railroad was sold again, to American Heritage Railways. Enjoy a full day on the train with a 9 hour round-trip experience beginning with a 3.5 hour journey from Durango to Silverton. In 1953 the engine was sold to the Narrow Gauge Motel in Alamosa. Behind the scenes at the Durango Train. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The train operates on different schedules seasonally and sometimes there are even exciting events taking place on board or in Silverton. Silverton isn't much of a 'destination'. 3681 is an ex-D&RGW boxcar. The D&S add-on route requires the Train Simulator 2016 game platform, . Silverton Take the railroad into this old mining town next door. The 480s were the last ten narrow-gauge locomotives constructed for the D&RGW. In 2009 it became a family upscale coach. Always the best part is the scenery. Planning Guides - Plan according to season or specialty. The numbers 28 and 36 designate the tractive effort (pulling force) of the locomotives in thousands of pounds. Sorry, I don't know. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Cars are not so precise but are well made for the price. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) owns Nos. Depart Silverton. 483, 484, 487, 488 and 489. Completely agree. It saw limited service and acted as a backup concession car. K-37 steam locomotive #493 on display before its restoration to operation, Silverton, October 2012. One-way trips on the Durango-Silverton Railroad - Tripadvisor If we ever do another ride we will be sure to pack rain gear. Trains operate from Durango to the Cascade Wye in the winter months and DurangoSilverton during the summer months. The route is varied throughout the year and offers both winter excursions and summer excursions. Our iconic 5-hour excursion offers breathtaking views of the Animas River, highline, and miles upon miles of rugged wilderness vistas as you travel through the Rocky Mountains of southwest Colorado. The coal fired steam locomotive will be chugging its way down the same track that the miners, settlers and cowboys of the Old West took nearly a century ago. As ridership continued to grow, the D&RGW operated a second train to Silverton on certain days.[10]. No. 315 is also stored when it is not visiting another railroad. Excellent day trip to Silverton or Cascade in original passenger car or open window gondola. It runs daily throughout the summer. 257 Shenandoah, built in 1880, originally numbered 267 until sold to the, 503 Crazy Woman Creek, acquired in 2019. 84,641 were here. Note: Historic Narration coach is currently unavailable due to COVID-19. Poem: The Silverton Train - The Durango Herald Our new Silverton Silverlight Express is your ticket! By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. They watch the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Grading was completed by late spring 1882.[6]. Prospector: January 8 - April 3, April 24 - May 6Red Mountain: March 4 - May 6Cinco Animas: January 8 - January 30Knight Sky: January 1 - April 23Yankee Girl: January 1 - February 27, April 9 - May 6Alamosa: February 5 - May 6. It is used by Maintenance of Way. All rights reserved. The price of a ticket also includes admission to the D&SNGRR Museum and the . Trains hauling passengers and freight began immediately. No wilderness access will be provided from these departures. This site uses cookies for measurement, ads and optimization. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard TRAIN SCENE Between Durango & Silverton Colorado CO AO3271 at the best online prices at eBay! It was a popular glass-topped observation car and the only one of its kind. The D&RG soon re-emerged as the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (1886) and ultimately began operating as the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW) on July 31, 1921, after re-organization of the Colorado lines and Rio Grande Western of Utah. The D&SNG named coach 312 the Silverton. It runs during the summer time. It was reconverted to a full concession car by the D&SNG in 1982. The town is the best, there are festivals, parties, and everyone is accepted. It has room for 11 passengers. The train will cross the riverfivetimes on its journey to Silverton, offering spectacular views from both sides of the train. Highlights included canyon and creek views, and watching the train travel over a wooden bridge. All Aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! On display in the Museum, out of service. The line was an extension of the D&RG 3ft (914mm) narrow-gauge line from Antonito, Colorado, to Durango. It has a hydraulic lift for passengers in wheelchairs. The train climbs nearly 3,000 feet to Silverton and the high mountain airwill be on average about 10 degreescooler than in Durango. We treated our daughter and grandson with a trip to fly out to meet us for two weeks.This was a bucket list item for all of us to experience this together. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Used as the Durango shop switcher. It runs daily throughout the summer. We normally take the steam engine. The Silverton Freight Yard Museum was opened in 1999 and is located at the Silverton depot and rail yard. Palmer and his associates had agreed that the choice of 3ft (914mm) narrow-gauge would be well suited to the mountainous country, and relatively less expensive construction costs would enhance the viability of the new railroad. The scenery is majestic (especially if you sit on the right side of the train) with the train going around cliffs with tracks very close to the edge. "K-36" and "K-37" class locomotives were eventually restored to operating condition, and these larger classes of engines operated to Silverton for the first time ever following bridge and right-of-way improvements to the line. 315 has been operating on special excursions and charters at the C&TSRR on loan by the DRHS until at least 2025. No. Still craving more? It does not matter which side you sit on because the train stops in Cascade Canyon and then turns around back to head back to Rockwood Station so you get to see the scenery on both sides. Sunday, Apr 30, 2023 4:15 AM. The recreation of the Silver Vista was built in 2006. For 141 years, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been transporting passengers through the remote, scenic wilderness and high mountain landscape of the San Juan National Forest. Site developed by Agency Tourism Marketing, Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose #5 Excursions, K-28 100th Anniversary Fall Photo Special, Ghost Crawl: Haunted Durango Train Museum Experience, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, October, PEANUTS The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. But, we had a bit of trouble with reservations for the type car we wanted, as our grandson is under 21. Looking to start your trip in Silverton? Today it is the oldest private railroad coach still in service in the United States. There is an HO train layout in the museum. Then the D&RGW realized that it was larger than another combination car 212. It runs daily throughout the summer. We decided on the 5 hour Cascade Canyon and I am glad we did. Mail baggage car No. D&SNG W0473 and D&RG 3543 on display, Silverton, October 2012. Save on outdoor activities, tours & rentals. Athearn, Robert G. "Rebel of the Rockies" Yale University Press 1962 pp. The route to Silverton aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is an unforgettable journey along the spectacular Animas River. Due to their smaller size, these engines are often used on the D&SNG for shorter trains, usually the first or last on the schedule, and often for helper service or sectioned trains. Despite popular belief that the railroad does not doublehead trains out of Durango because of smoke, the real reason is the weight restriction on the bridge at 15th Street, not allowing more than one K-36 at a time (K-28 class engines, however, are still doubleheaded from Durango). Firing while the engine is working hard is done with a large "heel" pattern, generally with as little coal on the flue sheet as possible, and gradually sloping the fire bed towards the door sheet to the height or higher than the firedoors. 0540 was built in 1881 and is a mini-warehouse, carrying the most common tools and supplies. All aboard! Diesel engine #1, nicknamed the "Hotshot", is a 50-ton center-cab diesel built by, Diesel engine #2, nicknamed the P.B. In 1963 it was purchased by the Cinco Animas Corporation, where it received its present name. Locomotives 473, 476 and 478 operated on many parts of the D&RGW. It was finished in ash and seated forty-six. Was built in 1984 as a coach and was named Hunt. The first 18 miles to Rockwood were completed by late November. It runs daily throughout the summer. It was scrapped for parts thereafter; however, some accessories, running and valve gear were salvaged and used on other locomotives. The Durango Train Seating Options - Mild to Wild Blog - Mild2WildRafting Ride the train on 45 miles of rails originally laid in 1882 between the historic mining town of Silverton and the railroad-built town of Durango, Colorado. The add-on will be Emailed to your PayPal address. Typical of many portions of the surviving narrow-gauge branches into the middle of the twentieth century, the line faced sagging revenue due to ever-declining mining ventures, highway trucking competition and insignificant passenger revenue. [citation needed] To help continue service, motorcar 1001 now RB-1 and trailer 1002 now 313 took people out to Elk Park from Silverton. . 127 was the third concession car built by the D&SNG. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad | Durango CO - Facebook Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 476 has been converted to an oil burner and is operational. The fun doesnt have to stop here, with easy access to hiking and mountain biking trails in the Uncompahgre and Weminuche Wilderness areas you have access toan abundance of alpine lakes, waterfalls, and fields of wildflowers. Would the Knight Sky be anymore protected from rain with its windows out than the Rio Grande? Silverton diesel train runs from May 21 - October 15. Bachmann Trains - Durango & Silverton Ready To Run Electric Train Set The engine weighs 35 tons and pulls with 17,100lbs of tractive effort. 486 is undergoing an overhaul and conversion to an oil burner. The General Palmer is exclusively used by owner Allen Harper, his family and guests. It also had a baggage compartment and restroom. Galloping Goose No. The train stops a couple times to let off or on hikers which I did not know about. Join us for a winter excursion on the Cascade Canyon Winter Train! It is on display at the Silverton Northern Engine House in the Summer, where D&RGW No. It originally was owned by the Eureka and Palisade Railroad, and was later sold to the Sierra Nevada Wood and Lumber Company. 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