durango and silverton train

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? Throughout the year this space is available to rent for your special occasion! Face coverings were required to be worn by all even in the open air cars. It is truly an unforgettable step back in time. In July 1881, the Denver & Rio Grande reached Durango and started building the final 45-mile stretch up the Animas River to Silverton. And Silverton is a bunch of tourist shops and didn't appeal to us. See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. 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 train climbs nearly 3,000 feet to Silverton and the high mountain airwill be on average about 10 degreescooler than in Durango. Grading was completed by late spring 1882.[6]. We booked a 9 AM steam engine train in an open air gondola car. The D&SNG Trains. They empty the trains for 2 hours at Silverton so people can have lunch and walk around the town to visit shops and businesses. We will pass fertile farmlands, old stagecoach roads, the breathtaking Highline, the remote Tacoma Power Plant, old mining camps, and be in the shadow of peaks reaching over 14,000 feet, often with year-round snow! River Rafting & Tubing 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours, Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company, River Rafting & Tubing Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks. All Aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad announced this week it has purchased four new diesel engines, including these being . One-way trips on the Durango-Silverton Railroad. It originally was owned by the Eureka and Palisade Railroad, and was later sold to the Sierra Nevada Wood and Lumber Company. Is 17 feet (5.2m) long, and was built in 1886. Get around Durango in style with rental vehicles. Free shipping for many products! 10,15. 425 and, after the railroad was reorganized into D&RGW in 1924, it became No. The D&SNG owns four K-36s: Nos. Daily excursions run from May through October with departures from both Durango and Silverton. 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. Enjoy some sightseeing, shopping or dinner in Durango prior to your transportation via van back to Silverton. When leaving we had to turn completely around to leave. 632 was built in 1986 and named Teft. The car had a closed vestibule, with steam heat, electric lights and seats for fourteen passengers. 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. So, book a ticket to ride on this historic railway and see some of the most stunning wilderness that Colorado has to offer! The first railbus trip left at 7:30a.m. on May 7 for Elk Park. 127 is now used as a movie theater in the museum. While being owned by several parties between 1951 and 1982 the Fairplay was renamed the Nomad. All fares listed below are subject to an 8% historical preservation fee. Motive Power and Equipment Solutions, Inc. Acquired from Motive Power and Equipment Solutions (MP&ES) in 2018 in response to the, Restored to operating condition in 1984. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. At first the D&SNG operated only one K-37: #497, which was rebuilt in 1984 and operated for seven years, being the first K-37 to go to Silverton, and under its own power. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was originally built in 1881-82 as part of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway's effort to reach the rich mines of the San Juan Mountains.For decades, the line hauled ore from Silverton down to Durango, but after World War II its business shifted to tourism.It continues to be a major tourist attraction in southwest Colorado and has been named both . Freight traffic, however, continued to decline, and during the 1950s The Silverton operated as a mixed train. And we wished we had investigated other options. Vallecito Lake A secluded mountain lake 8,000 feet above sea level. All rights reserved. When you get to Silverton, go 2 blocks up and find the Main Street ( I think the only tarred one) and check that out for food. SP No. The original northsouth plans of the D&RG eventually expanded to include extensions throughout the booming mining country of central and southwestern Colorado. The trip took us up into the Rocky Mountains with views of the San Juan National Forest as we traveled alongside the beautiful Animas River (the town that I hear is used for the opening scenery of the TV show (The Ranch). The museum features memorabilia from the D&RGW and other railroads. The last train to operate into Durango from the east was on December 6, 1968. #493 ran under its own power for the first time on January 24, 2020, and has been the D&SNG's primary piece of motive power throughout 2020 and 2021. K-37 steam locomotive #493 on display before its restoration to operation, Silverton, October 2012. Bachmann Trains - Durango & Silverton Ready To Run Electric Train Set 315 is a C-18 locomotive, built in 1895 by Baldwin Locomotive Works. A typical trip uses around 35 short tons (2.684.46 long tons; 2.724.54t) on the way up to Silverton and another 12 short tons (0.891.79 long tons; 0.911.81t) on the return to Durango. 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 remainder of the route entered the narrow Animas Canyon, which has steep granite walls. As others have stated, read the website thoroughly as it explains in detail everything you need to do to have an enjoyable experience. The Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Train Car and Seating Options. There are many ways you can experience the Durango train. It is a National Historic Landmark as well as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. 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. 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! 476 has been converted to an oil burner and is operational. The railroad runs 12-car passenger trains behind these engines; however more cars require the train to be double-headed. What restaurants are near Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum? The only downside was the parking. Dan privately owns the engine, and on occasion brings it to various railroads to operate, including the D&SNG. You can find the complete train schedule and associated classes of service offered for both of these Silverton trains at Durangotrain.com. See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. You can read about the basic differences below, or read a more in depth description on our Durango Silverton train classes page. Relive the Wild West on the Historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad! 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. Yes, its a long day but we had a ball with our host/ attendant Delaney. Durango Jeep Tours | Guided 4x4 Jeep Trail Tours in Durango | Durango, CO 18 was to return to the D&SNG from April, 2021 to October, 2021, and on April 11, it departed for Durango, Colorado via truck. All Aboard! Durango railroad purchases four diesel locomotives Caboose No. Train rides from Durango to Silverton, Co. up and back. 5 came to rest in Dolores, Colorado. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Tall Timber Legend 631 & Tall Timber Legacy 632. Today, #50 is now on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado. After 3 1/2 hours, we arrived in Silverton which is a sleepy old mining town with dirt roads- looks like the old west with mountains in the background. 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. Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. 2:45 pm. The Casey Jones railbus was built in 1915 out of a Model T and is a debatable predecessor of the Galloping Goose. In the Silverton depot are local artifacts. [citation needed] No. The route along the Animas, which begins high in the San Juan Mountains and ends in a confluence with the San . 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. 493 has been converted to an oil burner and is operational. Caboose No. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. I am sorry, not sure. The Yellow Carrot. 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. 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. 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. Im going to book for July and I am unsure of which car to book. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Durango And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway Photos and - Getty Images 473, 476, 480, 481, 482 and 493 are all operational. From May 27 through September 15 Elk Park trips ran at 7:30a.m. and 3:30p.m. Whitewater rafting with professional guides. The name comes from the fact that the first significant use of the type was a series built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Japanese Railways in 1887. Concession car 126 was originally D&RG baggage car 27. It was renumbered 350 in 1959. No. 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. You can only buy a certain number of tickets. It was rebuilt by the D&SNG in 1984 with a kitchen, a bathroom and beds. Our new Silverton Silverlight Express is your ticket! Except for severe weather conditions, the D&SNG runs trains as scheduled. No. Poem: The Silverton Train - The Durango Herald Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad | Articles | Colorado 480 has been converted to an oil burner and is operational. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum The engine weighs 35 tons and pulls with 17,100lbs of tractive effort. Bing Maps - Directions, trip planning, traffic cameras & more Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad | Durango CO - Facebook Hop aboard to be the first to hear about upcoming events, specials, and train news. Excursions begin May 6, departing from the Durango Depot. The Durango and Silverton Railroad takes commuters through Colorado's San Juan National Forest. We wish we had done the narrow gauge to Cascade Canyon and back. 473, 476 and 478 operated on the Silverton Branch from the 1950s through 1980 and are still in service today. No. 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. No. 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. Since 1971, the Silverton branch and nearby Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) were the only remnants of the Rio Grande's once extensive narrow-gauge system. No. The new company Animas River Railway was incorporated by the D&SNG, as an attempt to preserve the integrity of its own claim of "100% coal-fired steam locomotives". There is an HO train layout in the museum. Sorry, I don't know. 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. The train stops for a water refill beside the river. I think I had higher expectations because we have previously done the Leadville train. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) owns Nos. The line was an extension of the D&RG 3ft (914mm) narrow-gauge line from Antonito, Colorado, to Durango. It is on display at the Silverton Northern Engine House in the Summer, where D&RGW No. The trailer 1002 could seat 48 in longitudinal seats. Given the fire risk from coal cinder-sparked wildfires, the railroad's owner plans to invest several million dollars to replace coal-power with oil-power for its steam locomotives and has acquired two new narrow-gauge diesel locomotives. [+ More] 3206 N Main Ave Suite #1, Durango, CO 81301. Getinformation on upcoming train events, deals on hotels plus insider information about Durango, CO delivered to your inbox weekly. Finally, it was bought by Dan Markoff and restored to operating condition. The seats were padded and comfortable. [7] Eventually, the railroad became widely known as the "Rio Grande". The railbus hauled hikers and fishermen into the canyon from Rockwood. 483, which had not seen operation in several years. Below are some pieces of 3ft (914mm) narrow-gauge equipment that visit the D&SNG railroad. Anyone done this? Guests are encouraged to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. Silverton. The numbers of the car were switched and the smaller car was sent to. Each locomotive engine has two-wheel pilot truck, eight drive wheels and two wheels trailing truck behind the cab. 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. With the high elevation and brilliant sunshine,we recommend youhave a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen handy. The engines were delivered with Master Mechanics-design smokeboxes for draft; however at some point the D&RGW converted them to Andersson (cyclone) front ends. For the safety and protection of guests and employees, the D&SNG suspended all operations until at least June 23, 2020. It saw limited service and acted as a backup concession car. [13] An estimated 54,129 acres (21,905ha) of the San Juan National Forest were burned, with losses estimated at more than $31 million. There was a family that got on and off midway at Rockwood Station and I would HIGHLY recommend anyone interested look into that option. One-way trips on the Durango-Silverton Railroad - Tripadvisor 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. 5 was completely restored to operating condition in 1998 by the Galloping Goose Historical Society[24] in Dolores, Colorado. $$$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Pizza Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Southwestern Cafe, $ Quick Bites American Vegetarian Friendly, $$$$ American Contemporary Vegetarian Friendly. 481 is operational and is the only remaining active coal burner left on the D&SNGs roster. You can find more information about the Durango train and Durango train rides here on our site. 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. Ride the train on 45 miles of rails originally laid in 1882 between the historic mining town of Silverton and the railroad-built town of Durango, Colorado. Mail baggage car No. 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. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Thinking this might be a good alternative? The last point of highway access between Durango and Silverton is the Rockwood Station. The route is varied throughout the year and offers both winter excursions and summer excursions. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. 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. Theres no bad time of year for a Durango train ride, this journey offers scenic views for all ages, all throughout the year. No. With this effort, "The Painted Train" officially started a new era of tourism that continues to this day. Since then, its headquarters were moved to Durango, Colorado. We found this train ride to be very relaxing and enjoyable and just the right length of time for our schedule, about 2-1/2 hours. When I travel I don't let the weather dictate my plans. Firing is simpler on these engines compared to the K-28s; however, the larger surface area requires more fuel. [17] In March, 2020, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country severely affected the US. My wife loved hearing the train whistle. In 1942, 215 had been sold to a Mexican railway. Relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a spectacular journey on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. We were surprised to learn once we boarded the train, that the trip was for 9 hours! It was finished in ash and seated forty-six. We may earn a commission when you use one of our links to make a purchase. It was restored by the Eastern California Museum from 2009 to 2017, with some help from members of the D&S Shop crew. Two departures daily from the Durango Depot: the diesel train departure at 8:00 am; the steam departure at 9:00 am. Planning Guides - Plan according to season or specialty. Isaac also sold maps, hats, souvenirs. There are bathrooms and a concession car that people were using. 315. We were on the Knight Sky car. The museum is located in the Durango roundhouse. Durangos elevation is 6,512 feet above sea level and Silverton sits comfortably at 9,305 feet elevation. [19] They were built by the Schenectady Locomotive Works[20] of the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, New York in 1923. The states of New Mexico and Colorado purchased 64 miles of track between Antonito and Chama, New Mexico, in 1970, which is operated today as the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR). 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. 1991, the railroad's own track was featured in a, This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 17:31. As of 2023, of the nine steam locomotives currently owned by the D&SNG, Nos. If you call the Rail Line they can answer any questions Note: Historic Narration coach is currently unavailable due to COVID-19. 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. 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. It was used with the Animas Canyon Railway Diesel-powered rail-bus. Our family is dedicated to the preservation of history and there is no greater American historical treasure than the D&SNGRR. Traded to the, Previously nicknamed the "PB-II". Durango Silverton Train - D&SNGRR Steam Train Adventure We normally take the steam engine. It is rugged and gorgeous! The route winds in and out of canyons and past open wilderness affording great views. 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. It was restored to operating condition from 1998 to 2007 by the Durango Railroad Historical Society with some assistance from the D&SNG. 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! Magazine. The Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Train Car and Seating Options. After the Silver Vista was built in 2006, it became open observation car 410. [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. 1923 Nash Roadster (left) and 1924 Model T Ford (right), Sears & Roebuck buggy from the 19th century. Vestuable ends, train-line steam heat, electric lights, and deluxe Heywood-Wakefield reclining coach seats for 24 passenger were installed. They had breakfast nachos, hotdogs and coffee and other drinks. No wilderness access will be provided from these departures. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The train makes it easy to have a perfect, painless trip. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, often abbreviated as the D&SNG, is a 3 ft (914mm) narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates on 45.2mi (72.7km) of track between Durango and Silverton, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Join us for a magical excursion onboard THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride! The General Palmer was built in 1880 as a business car for the D&RG. Rail camp car No. Gondolas 403405 were built for the 1967 season on The Silverton. It runs daily throughout the summer. The price of a ticket also includes admission to the D&SNGRR Museum and the . 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. 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. We ordered the box lunch and for $15.00 we received a sandwich, bag of chips, cookies, fruit and a bottle of water. Ride the train to a day of ziplining on the longest course in the US. In 1953 the engine was sold to the Narrow Gauge Motel in Alamosa. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on Twitter: "Behind the When the D&RGW abandoned the line to Durango, 315 was donated to the Chamber of Commerce in 1968. We were given 2 hours to check out the town and get food- but many of the shops/restaurants were closed since it was before Memorial Day. Always the best part is the scenery. 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.

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