[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. 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. Ballantine Communications, Inc. Note: Historic Narration coach is currently unavailable due to COVID-19. 482 has been converted to an oil burner and is operational. 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. [14] The railroad's coal-burning steam locomotives were suspected of sparking the "416 Fire" blaze,[15] and some area businesses and residents filed a civil lawsuit against the railroad and its owner in mid-September, 2018. Browse different rides & seasonal events. The female bus driver was great and talked the whole trip giving us a tour and filling in with great stories of her life in the area and other items. William Jackson Palmer (18361908) was a former Union General (serving in the American Civil War) who came to Colorado after managing the construction of the Kansas Pacific Railway into Denver in 1870. D&SNG W0473 and D&RG 3543 on display, Silverton, October 2012. People of all ages enjoy riding through the stunning mountain and forest scenery on train. When leaving we had to turn completely around to leave. In November 1916 the engine was sold to the Rio Grande Southern and was used till the RGS was dismantled in 1952. Beginning May 7, 1988, a new diesel-hydraulic motorcar and trailer railbus began making trips out of Rockwood, Colorado up the Animas canyon. The railbus was repaired and began operations on May 6, 1989. No. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We were served soft drinks (free) and were offered mixed drinks (for a fee). If you have any health concerns, check with your physician for advice. 18 later arrived to Durango on lease from the Eastern California Museum in November, 2018 and it stayed until October, 2019. Excellent day trip to Silverton or Cascade in original passenger car or open window gondola. The ceiling of the Prospector features an enlarged route map, making it easy for passengers to follow the train's progress along the route. also had a six-axle narrow-gauge diesel locomotive (#3000) for trial use in Durango in the 1950s, which saw limited use. Steam looks great and it's nostalgic. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Diesel engine #1, nicknamed the "Hotshot", is a 50-ton center-cab diesel built by, Diesel engine #2, nicknamed the P.B. 493 has been converted to an oil burner and is operational. From early May through October, the railroad transports passengers to and from Silverton, a visit thats like stepping back in time to the days of the Wild West and when gold and silver mining in the area was at its zenith. Numbers 493 and 498 are owned by the D&SNG, but #498 is not operational and serving as a parts source. 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 train climbs nearly 3,000 feet to Silverton and the high mountain airwill be on average about 10 degreescooler than in Durango. 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. As of 2023, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad appears to operate nineteen locomotives, eight coal-fired and/or converted oil-fired steam locomotives and nine diesel locomotives. The General Palmer was built in 1880 as a business car for the D&RG. Durango and Silverton - N Scale Ready to Run Electric Train Set. Ride the train to a day of ziplining on the longest course in the US. Also, throughout the year there will be Durango train packages that offer special experiences, so check the website! Placed on display at the D&SNG Museum from 1999 to 2016. Rail camp car No. Browse different rides & seasonal events. The first class Knight Sky car is available May 7 through 20 as well as September 24 through October 29, 2022. It worked around Durango until 1949. *The first class Knight Sky car on the Silverton diesel train is available May 26 through September 19, 2022. Children under the age of 4 not occupying a seat ride for free with the exception of some special events. In response to the 416 fire, the D&SNG announced their plans to restore #493 publicly and that the locomotive was their first candidate for an oil conversion, with more to come in the future. In 1968 the Woodmoor Corporation purchased the Magic Mountain property and in 1969 put engine 42 on display in Monument, Colorado, at the entrance to its Woodmoor subdivision. It was a popular glass-topped observation car and the only one of its kind. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Cinders & Smoke Steam Trains Guide to Durango to Silverton 1977 at the best online prices at eBay! Anyone done this? No. Join us for a magical excursion onboard THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride! Number 499 was also owned by the D&SNG at one time, lacking a tender and was on display in the museum. The recreation of the Silver Vista was built in 2006. From May 27 through September 15 Elk Park trips ran at 7:30a.m. and 3:30p.m. 3681 is an ex-D&RGW boxcar. After arriving in Denver, he formulated a plan to build a 3ft (914mm) narrow-gauge railroad southward from Denver to El Paso, Texas[5] (see Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad). No wilderness access will be provided from these departures. Galloping Goose No. In 1981 it was purchased by the D&SNG and converted to a parlor car and seats twenty-five people. During the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire, the D&SNG voluntarily shut down steam service. Gondolas 403405 were built for the 1967 season on The Silverton. Scenic through the mountains along Animus River. 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. Join us for your ultimate train adventure! It is truly an unforgettable step back in time. For 140 years, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroadhas been transporting passengers through the remote, scenic wilderness and high mountain landscape of the San Juan National Forest. The answer is there isnt a bad time. After World War II, domestic tourism began to grow across the country and the Silverton branch of the railroad would benefit. McCall.[26]. By continuing to use our site you agree to ourprivacy policy. Enjoy the trip we found it wonderful. 241243, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, Learn how and when to remove this template message, National Register of Historic Places portal, List of heritage railroads in the United States, "DurangoSilverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad", Cutting through Obstacles: The DurangoSilverton Narrow Gauge Branch of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, by T.R. "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. Water is fed to the boiler by two non-lifting injectors. While youre at the Durango Depot, dont forget to visit the free D&S Roundhouse Museuma 12,000 square foot facility situated in the railyard that houses a carefully curated collection of artifacts and exhibits that paint a picture of Colorados rich railroading and mining histories. Face coverings were required to be worn by all even in the open air cars. The D&SNG operates several other coaches: Animas City 323 in Silverton, October 2012. It was reconverted to a full concession car by the D&SNG in 1982. See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. It has room for 11 passengers. After a rebuild in 1937 it became a parlor-buffet car named Alamosa. It has a hydraulic lift for passengers in wheelchairs. It can hold a group of up to eight people. The price is just $15.00 and as with all of our merchandise, all proceeds go to benefit the Durango Railroad Historical Society. [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. 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. Following the ICC's ruling, the railroad reluctantly responded by investing in additional rolling stock, track maintenance and improvements to the Durango depot. It was renumbered 126 in 1886. We wish we had done the narrow gauge to Cascade Canyon and back. We will stop at our office in Silverton for . Hop aboard a coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive that travels along the same railroad tracks that miners, cowboys and the early settlers of the Old West used over a hundred years ago. | Ride the train to a day of ziplining on the longest course in the US. Find the most current Durango train schedule by clicking below. Being a "Narrow Gauge" railroad means that the rails are only three . This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Durango train chugs slowly out of the station and you gaze out of the window as the tranquil mountain scenery goes by. Magazine. Annual snowslides and several major floods on the branch would only continue to challenge the railroad's ability to survive. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. 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. I would definitely do the train trip again, but next time do the one way trip. Currently out of service. You can only buy a certain number of tickets. On display in the Museum, out of service. Hear about what it took to build the railroad, interesting facts about the scenery and the historical significance of the area and what life was like in the old days in the Durango and Silverton area. A National Historic Landmark and one of the most popular heritage railroads in North America, this train offers a unique . Very friendly staff. The Fairplay has hosted Presidents William H Taft, Ulysses S Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. At Cascade Creek the train stopped for about an hour so you can get out, stretch your leg and have lunch. On display are outfit cars, some equipped with kitchen facilities and side-dumped gondolas. It is pulled to Cascade Canyon Wye for elegant camping. It was converted to a coach-snack bar by the D&RGW in 1963 then reconverted in 1979 to a coach. If you take a trip to Colorado, there is one place worth your while. The last train to operate into Durango from the east was on December 6, 1968. Silverton steam train runs from May 7 - October 29. No. The train journey offers incredible scenic views such as Horseshoe Curve, High Bridge, and all of the Animas River Gorge giving you an unforgettable Rocky Mountains experience. Learn about the fascinating history of the area! All fares listed below are subject to an 8% historical preservation fee. 486 at Royal Gorge Park, including the tender from #498. Take the train to Silverton & ride the bus back to Durango, or take the bus to Silverton & ride the train back to Durango. Silverton steam train runs from May 7 - October 29. After the Silver Vista was built in 2006, it became open observation car 410. These engines are outside- frame Mikados, and all drive wheels have counterbalancing outside of the frame, resulting in the utilitarian look the engines are known for. The Durango Silverton train ride journey is available on over 300 days of the year and it departs from Durango, Colorado with a round trip, full day excursion. [7] Eventually, the railroad became widely known as the "Rio Grande". The town is the best, there are festivals, parties, and everyone is accepted. We normally take the steam engine. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Save on outdoor activities, tours & rentals. Welcome to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! The train operates on different schedules seasonally and sometimes there are even exciting events taking place on board or in Silverton. Prior to the war, he had risen within the ranks of the Pennsylvania Railroad, serving as secretary to the president. 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. Heading out of town towards the 4-wheel drive Alpine Loop will take you on an excursion connecting Silverton, Lake City and Ouray through ghost towns and old mining claims. The Durango and Silverton Railroad takes commuters through Colorado's San Juan National Forest. We left at 9AM and our attendant (Isaac) was very knowledgeable with stories and explaining the scenery. ", "Durango residents sue historic train company, accuse it of starting 416 wildfire", "Locomotive 493: Conversion from Coal-Fired to Oil-Burning The Conversion Begins", "Tests continue on first Durango & Silverton oil-burner; second conversion to begin", "Durango & Silverton buys White Pass & Yukon diesels", Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum, "Around the World in 80 Days (1956) - IMDb", "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) - IMDb", "Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971) - IMDb", Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Central City/Black Hawk Historic District, Georgetown-Silver Plume Historic District, Rocky Mountain National Park Administration Building, United States Air Force Academy, Cadet Area, List of National Register of Historic Places in Colorado, Yanks Gulch/Upper Greasewood Creek Natural Area, History of the National Register of Historic Places, List of U.S. National Historic Landmarks by state, List of jails and prisons on the National Register of Historic Places, University and college buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Durango_and_Silverton_Narrow_Gauge_Railroad&oldid=1152509822, National Register of Historic Places in La Plata County, Colorado, National Register of Historic Places in San Juan County, Colorado, Railroad-related National Historic Landmarks, Spin-offs of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, Transportation in La Plata County, Colorado, Transportation buildings and structures in La Plata County, Colorado, Transportation in San Juan County, Colorado, Rail infrastructure on the National Register of Historic Places in Colorado, Railway lines on the National Register of Historic Places, Articles using NRISref without a reference number, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from January 2018, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2010, Pages using Sister project links with default search, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, The locomotive was built for the D&RG in 1887, and sold to the, Taken out of service in September, 1999. 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). This ride was phenomenal but more than 5 hours would have been way too much for us. Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and WeatherKit.org, Addiction has found its way to Southwest Colorado; robust treatment services have not, Leaving friends, family and community for treatment is hard, but some have little choice, Durango Transit to expand U.S. Highway 160 west route to Crestview neighborhood, Report a paper delivery issue/suspend delivery. 12:30 pm. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. No. My wife loved hearing the train whistle. Finally, it was bought by Dan Markoff and restored to operating condition.
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