No. Included in the sale were former D&RGW locomotives and rolling stock that had not seen service in Durango for many years. For this reason, the D&SNG traded #497 to the C&TSRR in exchange for K-36 class #482. D&RGW No. 503 was originally a flat car built in the 1940s, then converted for use as a coach in 1982 by the, Cars 400405 and 411412 are former standard gauge, Cars 406409 and 413416 are former standard gauge. 315 is also stored when it is not visiting another railroad. I wish we would have spent our 5 hours on another excursion such as zip lining or whitewater rafting or just simply hiking. more. Once there, youll have 2 hours to explore the historic mining town of Silverton before the 3.5 hour train ride back to Durango. The answer is there isnt a bad time. Thank you! Both are smooth rides. Water is fed to the boiler by two non-lifting injectors. After a rebuild in 1937 it became a parlor-buffet car named Alamosa. The Durango Silverton Train system is a narrow gauge railed. With the high elevation and brilliant sunshine,we recommend youhave a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen handy. Eureka and Palisade No. 2023 Durango Train Schedule. Relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a spectacular journey on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Downtown Silverton along Greene & Blair Streets boasts of a bold past and is designated as a National Historic District. Join us for your ultimate train adventure! Magazine. 12-Zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango, Durango Rafting - Family Friendly Raft Trip, Half-Day Family Rafting in Durango, Colorado, 2.5 Hour Family Rafting in Durango with Guide, All-Day Guided Zipline Tour with Train Ride and Lunch in Durango, Durango Family-Friendly 2-Hour Rafting Trip, 6-Zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango, Million Dollar Highway Self-Driving Audio Tour, Durango Rafting - Animas River Adventure Day, The Cat's Meow Durango Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game. Its called Durango, a little town nestled in the Animas canyons and hills, And theres a little train that goes up to Silverton, which is 45 miles long, Its worth every penny to take a trip on the iconic Silverton Train, What is so neat about this railroad? You may ponder, To many people its difficult to express to others, For someone it could be the astonishing views that are on the high line, Maybe its the employees that work there that make them happy, But for many people, including me, of course, it has to be the steam trains, All of them are well-preserved and taken care of, in their little Roundhouse, And their fun museum telling you about the history of the place, So I tell you, I beg you, to stay a while and enjoy the train. We are happy to help you find the best Durango train deals. Great ride and employees that like their job. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad owner Al Harper is pictured at the train depot in Durango on June 21, 2019. By 1881, the railroad reached Durango and by 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed. Number 499 was also owned by the D&SNG at one time, lacking a tender and was on display in the museum. Travel is through some of the most scenic areas in Colorado. This site uses cookies for measurement, ads and optimization. Join us for a magical excursion onboard THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride! Rail camp car No. [4] Today, the D&SNG, along with the C&TSRR, are the only two remaining parts of the former D&RGW narrow-gauge network. We left at 9AM and our attendant (Isaac) was very knowledgeable with stories and explaining the scenery. Depart Durango. At Cascade Creek the train stopped for about an hour so you can get out, stretch your leg and have lunch. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad announced this week it has purchased four new diesel engines, including these being . 2:45 pm. The Durango train chugs slowly out of the station and you gaze out of the window as the tranquil mountain scenery goes by. There is an employee that walks around sharing information along the route. Patronage never met expectations and has not operated since. 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No. Ownership of 315 was changed from the Chamber of Commerce to the City of Durango. We still were going to buy it but then overheard the girl tell the people behind us that she was glad they don't take cash because "if she had to give one more person a quarter back, she would jam that quarter down their throat". 480, 481, 482 and 486, all of which are operational. First class train car availability differs from month to month. Very friendly staff. In 1942, 215 had been sold to a Mexican railway. View the Skyway Tour schedule & fares. The railroad is designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service and is also an . It's a looong day on that train to go round trip to Silverton and back to Durango. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. The running gear on the locomotives also tend to wear out faster than the ALCO-designed K-28s, and the resulting pounding and rough ride can take a toll on the engine crew. We were served soft drinks (free) and were offered mixed drinks (for a fee). Just as narrow-gauge equipment and parts are rare, narrow-gauge railroads are rare these days too. They empty the trains for 2 hours at Silverton so people can have lunch and walk around the town to visit shops and businesses. Terms of Use We want to see the views from the train, but a 9 hr day and 7 hrs of sitting still does not sound like our "style". [25] During that time, it was used for oil-fired training in preparation for the D&SNG's conversion of their steam locomotives from coal to oil for fuel. Are there plug ins on the train for people who have portable oxygen? 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! The first railbus trip left at 7:30a.m. on May 7 for Elk Park. The round trip excursion will take around eight hours and there are numerous special excursions and themed trips throughout the year. It could seat 32 people and had a 300-horsepower (220kW) six-cylinder Caterpillar engine. The Silverton Freight Yard Museum was opened in 1999 and is located at the Silverton depot and rail yard. She made it the most delightful trip weve taken. Silverton isn't much of a 'destination'. This trade was mutually beneficial for both railroads as it gave the C&TSRR a fully operational locomotive, giving in exchange a locomotive that had never run and likely would never operate under C&TSRR ownership. Here are the current train destination routes and times for the Summer and Fall. On April 8, 2021, it was announced that No. The Casey Jones was restored and is owned by the San Juan Historical Society[23] in Silverton Colorado. It was changed to car 403 in 1885. Prior to the war, he had risen within the ranks of the Pennsylvania Railroad, serving as secretary to the president. The Yellow Carrot is a high vibration culinary food mecca, eatery and bakery. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Cres Fleming makes his way up a portion of a steep hill along the Durango & Silverton Railroad tracks where he says the 416 fire started on July 10,. durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad - durango and silverton narrow gauge railway stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. And we wished we had investigated other options. Vestuable ends, train-line steam heat, electric lights, and deluxe Heywood-Wakefield reclining coach seats for 24 passenger were installed. In the 2021 summer season the locomotive has been in helper service for the 15-car Silverton Train, doubleheading from Hermosa to Rockwood, and then from Tank Creek all the way to SIlverton. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The car had a closed vestibule, with steam heat, electric lights and seats for fourteen passengers. That turned us off so they lost a sale. Secluded in a mountain valley at an elevation of 9,318 feet, Silverton came into existence because of the rich treasures that the surrounding mountains hold. We were surprised to learn once we boarded the train, that the trip was for 9 hours! Athearn, Robert G. "Rebel of the Rockies" Yale University Press 1962 pp. It was then bought by D&RG and became No. The seats were padded and comfortable. In 1953 the engine was sold to the Narrow Gauge Motel in Alamosa. 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. I road in late October, so chose an enclosed car. The current roster goes as follows: The steam-powered locomotives used today on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad were built during the 1920s. Durango & Silverton starter set. The Galloping Goose Railbusses are products of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, a fleet of 7 home made railcars used to haul the US mail and some passengers during the Great Depression. Bolstered by national exposure via Hollywood movies being filmed along the line in the late 1940s, the railroad created The Silverton, a summer-only train service, on June 24, 1947. The United States Transportation Corps. Steam and diesel excursions available on select dates through May 6, 2022. Daily excursions run from May through October with departures from both Durango and Silverton. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Galloping Goose No. Our Durango and Silverton passenger set comes complete with: 2-8-0 locomotive and tender with operating headlight, open excursion car, old-time combine car, old-time coach car, 47 x 38 oval of snap-fit E-Z track, power pack, and speed controller. This historic steam railroad has been in continuous operation since 1881.. We booked a 9 AM steam engine train in an open air gondola car. Excursions begin May 6, departing from the Durango Depot. 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. There are three classes, K-28, K-36 and K-37, which are all based on wheel arrangement and pulling power of the locomotive. The route to Silverton aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is an unforgettable journey along the spectacular Animas River. K-37 steam locomotive #493 on display before its restoration to operation, Silverton, October 2012. You can read about the basic differences below, or read a more in depth description on our Durango Silverton train classes page. Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. Freight Yard Museum in Silverton, October 2012, Freight Yard Museum with the Silverton depot, October 2012. The Fairplay has hosted Presidents William H Taft, Ulysses S Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. It is on display at the Silverton Northern Engine House in the Summer, where D&RGW No. 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. Cost of ticket for Durango to Silverton train ride, We did the regular ticket and it was about $50 per person, Difference between steam and diesel trains, Not a big difference in riding experience. Ride the train to a day of ziplining on the longest course in the US. [16] As of 2023, the railroad aims to have most, if not all, of its operational steam locomotives converted to oil-power. They are used mainly to take passengers to Tall Timber to go zip lining. Be sure to watch for a glimpse of the wildlife that, although often elusive to train travelers, abounds in the area. We rode the train up to Silverton and back and it was too long - in our opinion. Is 17 feet (5.2m) long, and was built in 1886. Im going to book for July and I am unsure of which car to book. Built in the winter of 19871988, the Rio Grande was originally railbus trailer 1002 and was painted red. All Aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! 473 has been converted to an oil burner and is operational. The 480 series, or "K-36" class 2-8-2 "Mikado" type locomotives, were ten engines designed for the D&RGW. In 1928 and 1930, ten of the C-41s boilers were used to build the Rio Grande's K-37 class of steam locomotive. I would suggest calling the Rail Line. Your train adventure can be even more affordable than you might think with Durango train coupons and Durango train specials. Theres no bad time of year for a Durango train ride, this journey offers scenic views for all ages, all throughout the year. The only downside was the parking. It runs daily throughout the summer. In October 2021, it was temporarily taken out of service for its Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) federally mandated 1,472-day inspection and overhaul, but later returned to service on March 8, 2023. SP No. But a huge part o. During the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire, the D&SNG voluntarily shut down steam service. Ballantine Communications, Inc. Despite the overall demise of the RGS, 6 of the 7 "Geese" have survived today, and a couple of them have visited the D&SNG a few different times, most notably No. Gondolas 403405 were built for the 1967 season on The Silverton. Half the roundhouse is used for the steam engines and the other half is for the museum. They watch the weather forecast and dress accordingly. In 1924 it was converted into a parlor-smoker car. It is on display in the museum. The route winds in and out of canyons and past open wilderness affording great views. It was rebuilt in 1937 at the Alamosa shops. Planning Guides - Plan according to season or specialty. 10,15. "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. We really enjoyed the River at the Cascade Canyon stop where we packed a lunch. The 480s were used for freight-hauling throughout the D&RGW 3ft (914mm) narrow-gauge network. 425 and, after the railroad was reorganized into D&RGW in 1924, it became No. In 1986 it was put on display at Santa Rita Park. The D&SNG operates one combination car 213 named Bitter Root Mine, it was previously named Home Ranch and was built in 1983 by the D&SNG. also had a six-axle narrow-gauge diesel locomotive (#3000) for trial use in Durango in the 1950s, which saw limited use. The weight of a K-28 with a full tender is 254,500 pounds (115,439kg) and a K-36 weighs 286,600 pounds (130,000kg) with a full tender. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. When traveling on the D&SNGRR, we suggest you wear layers of clothing. It runs daily throughout the summer. In 1983 it was purchased from the. After surviving natural disasters, wars, and financial instability, a determined staff (and starring roles in several Hollywood movies) promoted the . Diesel engine #1, nicknamed the "Hotshot", is a 50-ton center-cab diesel built by, Diesel engine #2, nicknamed the P.B. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. The add-on will be Emailed to your PayPal address. I'd previously traveled on the DSNGR in winter, and took another 4 inexperienced passengers with me this time. It originally was owned by the Eureka and Palisade Railroad, and was later sold to the Sierra Nevada Wood and Lumber Company. In 1950 it was sold to Bob Richardson, then again in 1987 to a business in Cripple Creek. We were not told this and thought the main road was the first road and had the worst lunch EVER at a place there were there looked like much better places on the tarred road. Covid 19 protocols were explained and in place, allowing for social distancing throughout the trip. In later years it fell into disrepair. Once there, you'll have 2 hours to explore the historic mining town of Silverton before the 3.5 hour train ride back to Durango. We experience the iconic Horseshoe Curve, High Bridge and all of the Animas River Gorge including all of the spectacular views from the High Line. Arrive Silverton. The line was an extension of the D&RG 3ft (914mm) narrow-gauge line from Antonito, Colorado, to Durango. It was first steamed up and moved under its own power after 58 years on August 24, 2007, at the D&SNG roundhouse during a photography event. Mail baggage car No. All Rights Reserved. We rode in the open Gondola train, so we would not miss anything but the last half hour a storm rolled in and it rained. Due to COVID, the trips are being offered without the bus transportation there or back. Built in 1883, the Cinco Animas was originally an immigrant sleeper. The train was clean and some of the scenery was extremely beautiful. You can find more information about the Durango train and Durango train rides here on our site. Hotels near Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum: Restaurants near Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum. Silverton diesel train runs from May 21 - October 15. 127 was the third concession car built by the D&SNG. This is a 9.25 roudtrip excursion 3 1/2 hours on the train each way with a two-hour layover in Silverton. 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). No. We've done many things in the rain and always come home with great stories about our adventures. My husband and I wanted to do a one-way trip on the Durango-Silverton Railroad in June. 18 later arrived to Durango on lease from the Eastern California Museum in November, 2018 and it stayed until October, 2019. Because of its popularity, there has been speculation that the D&RGW destroyed it on purpose to drive revenue down so they could abandon the line from Silverton to Antonito. The route along the Animas, which begins high in the San Juan Mountains and ends in a confluence with the San . Train rides from Durango to Silverton, Co. up and back. Traded to the D&SNG in exchange for. 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. It also features many artifacts from the Durango and Silverton areas. $$$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Pizza Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Southwestern Cafe, $ Quick Bites American Vegetarian Friendly, $$$$ American Contemporary Vegetarian Friendly. Built in 198788 winter, motorcar 1001 was named Tamarron. I recommend opting for a higher price package if you go as the coach was nothing better than a school bus on tracks. The railbus was repaired and began operations on May 6, 1989. It was then rebuilt into an office living car for members of the Valuation Survey in 1919. Two departures daily from the Durango Depot: the diesel train departure at 8:00 am; the steam departure at 9:00 am. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. The winter train, which is Durango to Cascade and back, is 5.25 hours round trip (this includes an hour at cascade to walk around and have lunch - they even have a covered pavilion with a fireplace). Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Britney, 1. It was used with the Animas Canyon Railway Diesel-powered rail-bus. A new roundhouse was constructed on the same site, opening in early 1990, and its facade made use of bricks salvaged from the original building.[4]. [4], The improvements to the railroad in the 1980s would prove to be the most dramatic growth on the Silverton Branch since the earlier part of the century. In the winter of 20062007 it was again rebuilt into an open air observation car with comfortable and large overstuffed seats for a more expansive view. The engine weighs 35 tons and pulls with 17,100lbs of tractive effort. The D&SNG Trains. 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. I feel as if the DSNG really missed a great opportunity to share some great history. Note: Historic Narration coach is currently unavailable due to COVID-19. Free shipping for many products! Firing can be tricky when the engine is working hard, as the clamshell-style firedoors tend to pull into the backhead of the boiler due to the draft, and if any flues in the boiler are leaking, the loss of draft on the fire is much harder to work around than on the K-36 locomotives. The other seven were requisitioned by the United States Army in 1942 to be used on the White Pass & Yukon Route in Alaska during World War II. Save on outdoor activities, tours & rentals. Depart Silverton. There were 12:30p.m. and 6:00p.m. trips to Cascade Canyon. If youre driving in Colorado, you can find current road conditions by visiting the CO Department of Transportations Web site at COTrip.org Their staff is friendly and accommodating. Hi, did anyone who travelled in the last week of November in the winter train see snow ? If you take a trip to Colorado, there is one place worth your while. 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.