Some Background on the D&SNGRR
Way back in 1972, while my family was living in Colorado Springs, Colorado we took a road trip during spring break. It was a whirlwind tour from Colorado Springs out to the west coast to visit Disneyland, via Durango, Mesa Verde and the Grand Canyon, then returning east as far as Carlsbad, New Mexico before coming home.
To make a long story short, I have always been fascinated by trains…inspired by my Dad. As we passed through Durango, Colorado, we caught sight of some of the rolling stock of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which was then still in Denver & Rio Grande Western livery. Because of my Dad and I, we had to stop and check this out. Wandering around the trains and station we learned about the excursions to Silverton. Sadly, the trains weren’t running as it was early in the year before their season began.
The D&SNGRR station and rail cars in 1972
The memory of Durango, the spectacular scenery surrounding this historic town and the amazing train from the ‘Golden Age’ of railroading stayed with me my whole life and I knew in my heart, that one day, I was going to ride that train!’
My brother and I on some Denver & Rio Grande cars in Durango, 1972
That day came 38 years later in 2010 on another driving tour my wife Linda and I were taking through the southwest. We had flown into Las Vegas, rented a car and planned to take in some of our favourite spots including the Hoover Dam, Route 66 through Seligman and Kingman, Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Best Friends Animal Rescue in Kenab, UT and more. The highlight of the trip for me was our plan to visit Durango and ride the D&SNGRR. Fortunately, Linda also loves riding the rails so she was excited to go as well!
The D&SNGRR Station, Durango
We checked out our ticketing options and decided to splurge and book ourselves on the Presidential Class, Cinco Animas car which is at the very end of the train. It has parlour seating and an outdoor observation platform. It was well worth the price! It was amazing being able to stand out on the open platform looking at the amazing scenery all around us and watching the railroad tracks emerge from beneath us and slide away into the distance! There were also snacks and beverages included in the ticket price.
Parlour seating in the Cinco Animas car
As a side note, we booked the train both ways. I mean why not, you have to get back to Durango and, it’s a train! However, there is an option to take the train to Silverton and take a bus back to Durango or vice versa. This option is less money and the bus trip is quicker but, we really didn’t want to ride a bus when we could take the train and while we had already been over the rails once, the views and perspective going in the opposite direction are certainly different.
The Route
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad runs 45 miles from Durango, which sits at 6,512 feet, following the Animas River through the beautiful San Juan National Forest and mountains to Silverton, CO, an historic mining town at an elevation of 9,305 feet. The D&SNGRR has been in continuous operation running trains on this 45-mile branch of the original Denver & Rio Grande Railway since 1882!
The Ride
We were up bright and early for a 8 AM departure from the station. We arrived early enough to get our ticketing squared away leaving us time to wander around outside the station getting some photos of the train as it waited on the tracks for us.
The locomotive pulling are train was a steam locomotive still fired by coal! Back in 2010 the D&SNGRR was exclusively running steam powered locomotives. Our train was being pulled by No. 482, which is is a K-36 class 2-8-2 “Mikado” type narrow gauge steam locomotive. It was originally built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925 for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.
Engine 482 ready for departure in Durango
The Engineer
Today they also offer rides on trains pulled by diesel locomotives. Interestingly, these narrow gauge diesel locomotives came from the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway which runs excursions and freight out of Skagway, Alaska. This is another rail trip that we have taken. See our post: White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Also of interest to some may be locomotive rides and railcar rides which are also available from the D&SNGRR.
Boarding the Cinco Animas Car in Durango
The train station is located on the southwest edge of town. The rail line cuts through town following the Animas River. The first few miles are through more or less flat river valley with lots of fertile farm and ranch land before beginning the gradual climb into the mountains. The train crosses the river five times on its journey to Silverton, and there are spectacular views from both sides of the train. Once up in the canyon, you are in the shadow of peaks of the San Juan Mountains reaching over 14,000 feet!
This leisurely 3 1/2 hour train trip each way gives plenty of time to enjoy the amazing sights along the way, and the 2 hour layover in the historic mining town of Silverton allows time for some exploration, shopping and lunch.
The S-Curve in the canyon section of the ride
Enjoying the ride along the Animas River!
Passing one of the many water towers.
The Flagman
Running along the Animas River
One of five river crossings
Wilderness Access
Along the way, the train stopped a couple of times to pickup and drop off passengers. This is because you can use the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for access to the San Juan National Forest and the Weminuche Wilderness for backpacking, day hikes, rafting, and fishing trips during the summer season.
Picking up passengers at Rockwood Station
Silverton
Silverton is an old mining town with a population today of around 625 people. At its peak in 1910 there were over 2100 people living here. The first mining claims were made in mountains above the Silverton in 1860, near the end of the Colorado Gold Rush. It boomed from silver mining until 1893 and again with gold until 1907. Today the entire town is designated as a National Historic Landmark District
Silverton is surround by mountains, many of them in the thirteen thousand foot range. The town is less than 15 miles from 7 of Colorado’s fourteen thousand foot mountains.
Huge peaks over 13,000 feet come into view as the train gets closer to Silverton
Silverton, Colorado
Dirt steet in Silverton
Lots of interesting things to see in Silverton!
Today the town retains much of its historic charm with lots of historic buildings and many of the side streets are still dirt. The D&SNGRR trains pull right into town so it is just a short walk to the shops and restaurants.
The Cinco Animas Car in Silverton
The Ride Back
Although you have already seen the scenery, the ride back is still very pleasant. A time to relax after a hearty lunch and libations. The views are similar, but things always look different traveling in the opposite direction. We were back in Durango in the late afternoon with time to head back to the hotel to get cleaned up before dinner. And a cleanup was needed! It’s amazing how much black dust was stuck to our faces after 7 hours behind a coal burning steam locomotive!
Lots of smoke as the train climbs towards the S-Turn
Arriving back in Durango
If you’re ever near Durango have the chance, don’t miss out on this spectacular train ride into the past! You won’t regret it!
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