durango and silverton train

256, built in 1880, former RGS, purchased in 2022 and currently stored awaiting restoration. It is truly an unforgettable step back in time. The route was originally opened in 1882 by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW) to transport silver and gold ore mined from the San Juan Mountains. Our Silverton offroad tours travel along the scenic byway from Durango to picturesque Silverton, Colorado. 485, unfortunately, fell into the turntable pit in Salida, Colorado, in 1955. 476 has been converted to an oil burner and is operational. All Aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. In March 1981, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW) sold the line and the D&SNG was formed. There was no escaping it but we didn't mind. As the D&SNG works to convert more of its locomotives to oil, No. 1991, the railroad's own track was featured in a, This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 17:31. Former mail baggage car 66 was used as the ticket window, office and waiting room for the railway. Make your experience even more memorable by adding an overnight stay to your Silverton excursion. Vallecito Lake A secluded mountain lake 8,000 feet above sea level. Athearn, Robert G. "Rebel of the Rockies" Yale University Press 1962 pp. I think I had higher expectations because we have previously done the Leadville train. Between 1982 and 1985 the D&SNG built Open Observation cars 411 and 412. Free shipping for many products! Schedule and fares are subject to change. Galloping Goose No. Theres no bad time of year for a Durango train ride, this journey offers scenic views for all ages, all throughout the year. 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. Number 499 was also owned by the D&SNG at one time, lacking a tender and was on display in the museum. 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. Built in the winter of 19871988, the Rio Grande was originally railbus trailer 1002 and was painted red. (The Silverton route is a bit lengthy, and you get all the scenery you're looking for on the shorter Cascade Canyon route. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. It was renumbered 350 in 1959. This ride was phenomenal but more than 5 hours would have been way too much for us. There was a book available but for $10 but I feel as though they really could have made the experience worth the $$ If they narrated the ride. In 1942, 215 had been sold to a Mexican railway. See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. Restored back to operating condition in February, 2018. Enjoy the trip we found it wonderful. Engines pose less fire danger than coal-burning counterparts. They had breakfast nachos, hotdogs and coffee and other drinks. The Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Train Car and Seating Options. There is an HO train layout in the museum. 425 and, after the railroad was reorganized into D&RGW in 1924, it became No. The "36" stands for 36,200lbf (161.026kN). It was restored to operating condition from 1998 to 2007 by the Durango Railroad Historical Society with some assistance from the D&SNG. This is our third time taking the train. She was very knowledgeable with stories and explaining the scenery. 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. 480, 481, 482 and 486, all of which are operational. The original Cinco Animas could seat up to thirty passengers. With the high elevation and brilliant sunshine,we recommend youhave a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen handy. After the Silver Vista was built in 2006, it became open observation car 410. We were served soft drinks (free) and were offered mixed drinks (for a fee). I worried about the possibility of rain. No. Since then, its headquarters were moved to Durango, Colorado. We wish we had done the narrow gauge to Cascade Canyon and back. It saw limited service and acted as a backup concession car. All that matters is that you meet the kind folks there who keep their trains in line. The labor crew, made up of mostly Chinese and Irish immigrants, blasted the canyon cliffs off and left a narrow, level shelf to lay the tracks on. 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. Isaac also sold maps, hats, souvenirs. All locomotives were eventually restored to operating condition. For recorded phone information call: 303-639-1111 or instate toll free 877-315-7623. more. The train is the subject of the song The Silverton, by C. W. Finally, it was bought by Dan Markoff and restored to operating condition. It was rebuilt in 1937 at the Alamosa shops. The D&SNG owns four K-36s: Nos. 473, 476, 480, 481, 482 and 493 are all operational. 18 is a narrow-gauge 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler" type locomotive built in 1911 by Baldwin Locomotive Works. Silverton isn't much of a 'destination'. You can only buy a certain number of tickets. Durangos elevation is 6,512 feet above sea level and Silverton sits comfortably at 9,305 feet elevation. No. 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. On April 8, 2021, it was announced that No. At the time, American Heritage Railways was headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida. This is a 9.25 roudtrip excursion 3 1/2 hours on the train each way with a two-hour layover in Silverton. They were able to see all the spectacular scenery and views in half the time. The museum features memorabilia from the D&RGW and other railroads. Witcher, Civil Engineering, March 2018, "D&RGW System Passenger Timetable - 1-Jun-1952", "Audio Portrait The last Train on the Silverton Branch", "416 Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System", "Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Closed Due To 416 Fire", "Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad bolsters fleet for dry years", "Is the Durango & Silverton Railroad to blame for the massive 416 fire? Even more interesting, the D&SNGRR museum is located in one part of the roundhouse, the only one of its kind in the world to house narrow gauge steam locomotives. The remainder of the route entered the narrow Animas Canyon, which has steep granite walls. They both feature historic railway equipment used on the D&RGW line. K-36 steam locomotive #486 and Diesel engine "Big Al" #7 in Durango on October 25, 2012. The season for the Animas River Railway was supposed to last from May 7 through October 30, but lasted until September 4 due to mechanical problems. Hi, did anyone who travelled in the last week of November in the winter train see snow ? In June, 2018, the railroad shut down for several weeks due to a wildfire, named the "416 Fire",[12] which was fought by two air tankers, six helicopters and some 400 firefighters on the ground. Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. Ergonomically, the engines are less comfortable than the others as well, with the crew seats being farther back from the backhead and the engineer having to lean forward constantly to adjust the throttle and use the sanders. 5. Athearn, Robert G. "Rebel of the Rockies" Yale University Press 1962. pp. On top of skiing, you may enjoy sledding, tubing and ice-skating at Kendall Mountain. The D&SNG has two museums, one each in Durango and Silverton. This historic train has been in continuous operation between Durango and Silverton since 1882, carrying passengers behind historic steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock indigenous to the line. The General Palmer is exclusively used by owner Allen Harper, his family and guests. Votes are . You can find more information about the Durango train and Durango train rides here on our site. Downtown Silverton along Greene & Blair Streets boasts of a bold past and is designated as a National Historic District. Excursions begin May 6, departing from the Durango Depot. We are happy to help you find the best Durango train deals. 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. Arrive Durango. But, we had a bit of trouble with reservations for the type car we wanted, as our grandson is under 21. Immigrant sleepers had very few amenities and had little consideration for passenger comfort. It was turned into a business car in 1913. The route winds in and out of canyons and past open wilderness affording great views. Join us for your ultimate train adventure! Learn about the fascinating history of the area! Hop aboard to be the first to hear about upcoming events, specials, and train news. 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. The railroad runs 12-car passenger trains behind these engines; however more cars require the train to be double-headed. 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. One-way trips on the Durango-Silverton Railroad. In 1953 the engine was sold to the Narrow Gauge Motel in Alamosa. Hop aboard to be the first to hear about upcoming events, specials, and train news. 1. If you have any health concerns, check with your physician for advice. All rights reserved. When the snow flies, Silverton turns into a winter wonderland boasting of great snowmobiling, snow shoeing, groomed tracks for cross country and skate skiing, groomed and lift-accessed backcountry skiing,and amazing landscapes! The price of a ticket also includes admission to the D&SNGRR Museum and the . There are many ways you can experience the Durango train. It runs during the summer time. No. It was $38.75 for the picture and we were going to buy it, but they don't take cash. Covid 19 protocols were explained and in place, allowing for social distancing throughout the trip. It has room for 11 passengers. The 480s were the last ten narrow-gauge locomotives constructed for the D&RGW. It is available for charter and can hold up to eight people. In the Silverton depot are local artifacts. 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. In 1950, the freight/mail compartment was converted to carry 20 additional passengers for sightseeing trips. Since the swap failed to go through, the D&SNG announced in June 2016 that it was going to restore locomotive 476 to operating condition and place locomotive 478 in the museum where locomotive 476 previously sat in. The seats did well to seat 2 people in them and it was tight. If we ever do another ride we will be sure to pack rain gear. #493 to be transported to the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado, on a 10-year lease, where it would be restored to operational condition and run it for those 10 years; then returned to the D&SNG. The schedule for the Animas River Railway remained the same. How long does it take to ride the train from Silverton to Durango? The first 18 miles to Rockwood were completed by late November. 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. 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. Placed on display at the D&SNG Museum from 1999 to 2016. The recreation of the Silver Vista was built in 2006. 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. By Molly March 13, 2018. The last train to operate into Durango from the east was on December 6, 1968. The cars currently have a limited capacity of 20 people so each family was able to spread out. Looks Very good and locomotive is heavy and well made. Included in the sale were former D&RGW locomotives and rolling stock that had not seen service in Durango for many years. For a more information on our year-round recreation log on to www.silvertoncolorado.com or call 1-800-752-4494. Each locomotive engine has two-wheel pilot truck, eight drive wheels and two wheels trailing truck behind the cab. The add-on will be Emailed to your PayPal address. I think she could be a stand-up comedian. 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. 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. Their staff is friendly and accommodating. It has run on the D&SNG just a handful of times in the past during special events. 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. Plus there are open air cars you can walk to and move to either side to get a view. They were later dismantled for scrap in 1946. The train's speed is about 12 mph and you were welcomed to get up to stand at either end of the train. All Aboard! 9:00 am. Diesels were first introduced to the Durango Yard in the 1960s with diesel locomotive #50. Be sure to stop by the Silverton Museum, Jail and Mining Heritage Center and uncover many artifacts of San Juan Countys past. Depart Silverton. Locomotive No. It was finished in ash and seated forty-six. Browse different rides & seasonal events. The car had a closed vestibule, with steam heat, electric lights and seats for fourteen passengers. Throughout the year this space is available to rent for your special occasion! [citation needed] No. Find the most current Durango train schedule by clicking below. Finally, in 1983 it was purchased and brought to Durango. Standard class steam excursions available every dayMay 28 - Aug 11, 2022 and Sep 2 - Oct 15, 2022. But, the best part was that she kept us all engaged and in stitches most of the time. Whitewater rafting with professional guides. Definitely pack a lunch!! There are three classes, K-28, K-36 and K-37, which are all based on wheel arrangement and pulling power of the locomotive. On display in the Museum, out of service. Not even once or twice. The original 1881 Durango roundhouse was completely destroyed by fire in the winter of 1989. River Rafting & Tubing 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours, Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company, River Rafting & Tubing Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks. 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. We were on the Knight Sky car. There were many families with children in the open cars. Behind the scenes at the Durango Train. McCall.[26]. *The first class Knight Sky car on the Silverton diesel train is available May 26 through September 19, 2022. Trackage between Chama and Durango was removed by 1971. Several folks did what you are thinking. Free shipping for many products! Completely agree. This historic steam railroad has been in continuous operation since 1881.. Freight Yard Museum in Silverton, October 2012, Freight Yard Museum with the Silverton depot, October 2012. The Casey Jones railbus was built in 1915 out of a Model T and is a debatable predecessor of the Galloping Goose. Enjoy some sightseeing, shopping or dinner in Durango prior to your transportation via van back to Silverton. The Silverton branch, as it became known, struggled under D&RG ownership following the Panic of 1893 and the end of free coinage of silver. As the train turns around. While being owned by several parties between 1951 and 1982 the Fairplay was renamed the Nomad. It could seat 32 people and had a 300-horsepower (220kW) six-cylinder Caterpillar engine. The route winds in and out of canyons and past open wilderness affording great views. [citation needed]. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Eventually, the engine went to the Old Vegas amusement park in Henderson, Nevada, where it became badly damaged by a fire. We did the morning trip and opted for the diesel locomotive over the steam engine as it was 5 dollars per person cheaper. The line was constructed to haul silver & gold ore from Southwest Colorados San Juan Mountains, but passengers soon realized it was the view that was truly precious. It's long enough, and not too long. You can find the complete train schedule and associated classes of service offered for both of these Silverton trains at Durangotrain.com. For this reason, the D&SNG traded #497 to the C&TSRR in exchange for K-36 class #482. 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. SP No. Built originally as a mining line, the scenic value of the Durango and Silverton was quickly recognized in passenger service. Age rated 14 and Durango and Silverton - HO scale ready to run Electric train set. The numbers of the car were switched and the smaller car was sent to. I wish we would have spent our 5 hours on another excursion such as zip lining or whitewater rafting or just simply hiking. D&SNG W0473 and D&RG 3543 on display, Silverton, October 2012. Ownership of 315 was changed from the Chamber of Commerce to the City of Durango. This railway is truly stunning throughout the year and will offer you a beautiful scenic journey during any season. [7] Eventually, the railroad became widely known as the "Rio Grande". Silverton diesel train runs from May 21 - October 15. Steam and diesel excursions available on select dates through May 6, 2022. It was originally known as D&RG No. It was our first on the Diesel. View the Round trip schedule & fares. Some rolling-stock dates back to the 1880s. Silverton Steam Train Schedule 2022. 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. Built in 1883, the Cinco Animas was originally an immigrant sleeper. [13] An estimated 54,129 acres (21,905ha) of the San Juan National Forest were burned, with losses estimated at more than $31 million. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. It's a looong day on that train to go round trip to Silverton and back to Durango. 127 was the third concession car built by the D&SNG. Try out our inexpensive in-town ski area at Kendall Mountain with a double chairlift accessing three beginner trails and one intermediate trail. The last point of highway access between Durango and Silverton is the Rockwood Station. Face coverings were required to be worn by all even in the open air cars. To experience a train up close and personal, book a locomotive car ride. Beginning May 7, 1988, a new diesel-hydraulic motorcar and trailer railbus began making trips out of Rockwood, Colorado up the Animas canyon. It runs daily during the summer. [19] They were built by the Schenectady Locomotive Works[20] of the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, New York in 1923. It runs daily throughout the summer. Make sure to check out our deals for kids, seniors, military and frequent riders before booking and special discounts on select departures. Arrive Silverton. Open observation gondolas 400402 were built in 1963, equipped with passenger car trucks, steel roofs, tile floors and tramway seats. Get around Durango in style with rental vehicles. 257 Shenandoah, built in 1880, originally numbered 267 until sold to the, 503 Crazy Woman Creek, acquired in 2019. 315 is a C-18 locomotive, built in 1895 by Baldwin Locomotive Works. Here are the current train destination routes and times for the Summer and Fall. Great ride and employees that like their job. It is a National Historic Landmark as well as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. So, book a ticket to ride on this historic railway and see some of the most stunning wilderness that Colorado has to offer! Relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a spectacular journey on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. 2023 Durango Train Schedule. The first class Knight Sky car is available May 7 through 20 as well as September 24 through October 29, 2022. In the winter of 20072008 it was rebuilt with overstuffed seating for in a wide three across arrangement and had its name changed to San Juan. It was stored from 1992 to 1997, until it was rebuilt as an open observation car 313. Traded to the, Previously nicknamed the "PB-II".

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