The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is one of the most spectacular train rides in North America. Traveling through the Rockies, narrow gauge locomotives pull trains 45 miles through the rugged Animas River Gorge on a railroad built in the 1880s to reach silver mines. The destination, Silverton, Colo., is a step into the past.
Choices
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers several options for passengers. During the summer, you can live like a railroad executive with Presidential class service on board the Cinco Animas, a private car that features plush seating and observation platforms. For great views, try first-class service on the Silver Vista or Knight Sky, glass-roofed, open-air observation cars with outdoor viewing platforms. First-class service is also available aboard an 1881 parlor car. Deluxe and standard service provide seating in a coach car or a covered gondola. During the winter off-season, the Cascade Canyon train travels 26 miles from Durango to the Cascade station.
When to go
Winter provides incredible snowy vistas. Summer offers the excitement of up to three trains running each way, but it is also the busy season. September has the best color show when aspen trees turn a brilliant yellow and quiver in the autumn breeze. Various events take place throughout the year.
Good to know
For a fee, yard tours are available to give you a chance to see the inner workings of the railroad.
Worth doing
Take part in the other activities that abound near Durango, such as whitewater rafting, hiking, and fly fishing. Be sure to visit Mesa Verde National Park.
Don’t miss
There is a 2-hour layover in Silverton, which gives you time to visit the freight yard museum at the depot, which is open May through October and displays many pieces of rolling stock. The Durango Museum, part of the roundhouse, is open corresponding to the passenger train schedule. There, a baggage car used in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is now a movie theater.
Getting there
The station is located in downtown Durango. The drive to the Four Corners area on Highway 550 is a scenic delight, as long as you don’t mind heights.
Location: 479 Main Avenue, Durango, CO
Phone: 877-872-4607 or 970-247-2733
Website: durangotrain.com
E-mail: Form on website
