Enjoy the trip we found it wonderful. Due to their smaller size, these engines are often used on the D&SNG for shorter trains, usually the first or last on the schedule, and often for helper service or sectioned trains. The D&RG soon re-emerged as the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (1886) and ultimately began operating as the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW) on July 31, 1921, after re-organization of the Colorado lines and Rio Grande Western of Utah. 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. 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]. The seats were padded and comfortable. 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. 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. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - Wikipedia Durango Train Tickets & Reservations - Durango, Colorado In March, 1997, Bradshaw sold the D&SNG to First American Railways, Inc., located in Hollywood, Florida. From leisurely rides to and from Silverton to . How long does it take to ride the train from Silverton to Durango? 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. 476 has been converted to an oil burner and is operational. Always the best part is the scenery. The Silverton Train Experience - Official Durango & Silverton Narrow The last train to operate into Durango from the east was on December 6, 1968. Eureka and Palisade No. Patronage never met expectations and has not operated since. 1923 Nash Roadster (left) and 1924 Model T Ford (right), Sears & Roebuck buggy from the 19th century. The United States Transportation Corps. Trains hauling passengers and freight began immediately. The train stops for a water refill beside the river. This journey is a feast for the senses and a treat for anyone who loves history and nature. Altogether it took about 7 hours. Choose between any of the seating options on our 1:45pm or 2:30pm train departure from Silverton combined with a van shuttle service back in the evening departing from the Durango Depot at 7:00pm. Beginning May 7, 1988, a new diesel-hydraulic motorcar and trailer railbus began making trips out of Rockwood, Colorado up the Animas canyon. The only downside was the parking. Traded to the, Previously nicknamed the "PB-II". No. ", "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. It runs daily throughout the summer. [citation needed] No. On display in the Durango and Silverton RR Museum, engine 42 was one of 6 class-70 2-8-0 locomotives built by Baldwin in 1887 for the D&RG. Looking to start your trip in Silverton? I recommend opting for a higher price package if you go as the coach was nothing better than a school bus on tracks. It was originally designed to be an ambulance servicing the Sunnyside Mine in Eureka, Colorado, and was often used by mine officials to commute to Silverton on the Silverton Northern Railroad. An extension was added to the old roundhouse, a new car shop was built on the site of the original "car barn", and the depot saw extensive repair and internal modifications. Cinders & Smoke Steam Trains Guide to Durango to Silverton 1977 - eBay I feel as if the DSNG really missed a great opportunity to share some great history. Dan privately owns the engine, and on occasion brings it to various railroads to operate, including the D&SNG. 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? For others who have traveled with us before, and are familiar with our train and western hospitality, we want to thank you for coming backwere glad to see you again! And have dinner at the luxurious Strater Hotel, which will make your trip even better. However, plans were cancelled and #493 sat outside the Durango roundhouse with an uncertain future for some time until early 2018, when she was put in the roundhouse for restoration. Today, #50 is now on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado. Silverton steam train runs from May 7 - October 29. Sunday, Apr 30, 2023 4:15 AM. 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. Thinking this might be a good alternative? Like most of the coaches on the D&SNG, the concession cars are good examples of how coaches were renumbered and rebuilt several times by the D&RGW. Depart Durango. This is our third time taking the train. See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. We are happy to help you find the best Durango train deals. When leaving we had to turn completely around to leave. Animas Forks, one of the best preserved ghost towns in the state of Colorado, is only 12 miles from Silverton. In 1886, it was rebuilt as Business Car N. It is reportedly the favorite car of D&RG president William Jackson Palmer. 315 is a C-18 locomotive, built in 1895 by Baldwin Locomotive Works. Be sure to stop by the Silverton Museum, Jail and Mining Heritage Center and uncover many artifacts of San Juan Countys past. One way was plenty. It was converted to a coach-snack bar by the D&RGW in 1963 then reconverted in 1979 to a coach. Currently out of service. The Durango train chugs slowly out of the station and you gaze out of the window as the tranquil mountain scenery goes by. The last point of highway access between Durango and Silverton is the Rockwood Station. 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. All rights reserved. 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. Galloping Goose No. Throughout the season, the river will rise from around 400 c.f.s (cubic feet per second) in April, to over 6,000 c.f.s at peak snowmelt runoff in June, and will mellow out again in September. Magazine. Locomotives 473, 476 and 478 operated on many parts of the D&RGW. Built by the D&RG in 1887, it had clerestory roof and bullnose ends. In 2009 the cars were converted with overstuffed seats. Engine 42 and a caboose running from Grady, located east of Mancos, Colorado to Durango was the last train movement on the RGS. Since then the DRHS has operated the locomotive occasionally on the D&SNG and on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. It was a popular glass-topped observation car and the only one of its kind. No. It was originally known as D&RG No. Galloping Goose No. The seats on the train (in the car with the glass top) reversed so we always were able to sit going forward. The numbers of the car were switched and the smaller car was sent to. Visit the Mayflower Mill, Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour, be deputized by the Silverton Gunfighters, or take a listen to the Silverton Brass Band; all offered May to October. 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. Ballantine Communications, Inc. Operating year-round, the Durango Train is a wonderful way to witness the changing of the seasons, learn about the rich history of Durango and the states railroading industry, and experience the dramatic alpine landscapes of southwest Colorado. 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. Guests are encouraged to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. The Fairplay has hosted Presidents William H Taft, Ulysses S Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. Bachmann Trains - Durango & Silverton Ready To Run Electric Train Set It is a legacy that glitters in Silvertons elaborate Victorian-era architecture, reflecting the millions of dollars drawn from the earth during the mining boom of the late 1800s to early 1900s. The D&SNGRR travels 45.4 miles each way along the Animas River from Durango to Silverton during our summer season May through October. The Casey Jones railbus was built in 1915 out of a Model T and is a debatable predecessor of the Galloping Goose. All Aboard! This is a 9.25 roudtrip excursion 3 1/2 hours on the train each way with a two-hour layover in Silverton. All Aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! At Cascade Creek the train stopped for about an hour so you can get out, stretch your leg and have lunch. There was a family that got on and off midway at Rockwood Station and I would HIGHLY recommend anyone interested look into that option. It is truly an unforgettable step back in time. 478 is placed on display in the D&SNG Museum awaiting an overhaul in the distant future. 127 is now used as a movie theater in the museum. Whitewater trips for more experienced adventurers. [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. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum Save on outdoor activities, tours & rentals. Relive the Wild West on the Historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! You dont even have to go on a trip. Available seven days a week from May 22 - October 31. The 490 series, or "K-37" class 2-8-2 "Mikado" type locomotives, were part of a class of thirty standard-gauge class 190 (later, class C-41) 2-8-0 "Consolidation-" type engines built in 1902 for the D&RG by Baldwin Locomotive Works. There was a photographer who came around and took everyone's picture- then brought you the picture on the way back for you to purchase. It was rebuilt by the D&SNG in 1984 with a kitchen, a bathroom and beds. 0540 was built in 1881 and is a mini-warehouse, carrying the most common tools and supplies. We decided on the 5 hour Cascade Canyon and I am glad we did. It could seat 32 people and had a 300-horsepower (220kW) six-cylinder Caterpillar engine. 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. [7] Eventually, the railroad became widely known as the "Rio Grande". So, book a ticket to ride on this historic railway and see some of the most stunning wilderness that Colorado has to offer! 18 is a narrow-gauge 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler" type locomotive built in 1911 by Baldwin Locomotive Works. The Durango yard facilities also saw dramatic improvements. You could even plan a rail trip for a large group such as a corporate retreat, a bachelor or bachelorette party, a wedding, or a family reunion. 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. If youre driving in Colorado, you can find current road conditions by visiting the CO Department of Transportations Web site at COTrip.org We ordered the box lunch and for $15.00 we received a sandwich, bag of chips, cookies, fruit and a bottle of water. 486 is undergoing an overhaul and conversion to an oil burner. Below are some pieces of 3ft (914mm) narrow-gauge equipment that visit the D&SNG railroad. Find the most current Durango train schedule by clicking below. In 1950 it was sold to Bob Richardson, then again in 1987 to a business in Cripple Creek. [citation needed], The observation car on the Silverton route in 1951. 1880s vintage coaches were exquisitely restored and new coaches were added to the roster of rolling stock. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on Twitter: "Behind the It was given number 313, because it resembled the Silver Vista. I recommend the Cascade Canyon trip. 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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 train operates on different schedules seasonally and sometimes there are even exciting events taking place on board or in Silverton. Water is fed to the boiler by two non-lifting injectors. Sorry, I don't know. Throughout the year this space is available to rent for your special occasion!