Ballantine Communications, Inc. With this effort, "The Painted Train" officially started a new era of tourism that continues to this day. Narrow Gauge Railroad preservation & legacy. On April 8, 2021, it was announced that No. Some rolling-stock dates back to the 1880s. By Molly March 13, 2018. I wish we would have spent our 5 hours on another excursion such as zip lining or whitewater rafting or just simply hiking. It is a National Historic Landmark as well as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Currently out of service. 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). It has room for 11 passengers. We ordered the box lunch and for $15.00 we received a sandwich, bag of chips, cookies, fruit and a bottle of water. 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. You can find more information about the Durango train and Durango train rides here on our site. 5 came to rest in Dolores, Colorado. As the train turns around. 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. This site uses cookies for measurement, ads and optimization. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. It has never been restored to operating condition. 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. View the Skyway Tour schedule & fares. As ridership continued to grow, the D&RGW operated a second train to Silverton on certain days.[10]. 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. So, book a ticket to ride on this historic railway and see some of the most stunning wilderness that Colorado has to offer! 5 was completely restored to operating condition in 1998 by the Galloping Goose Historical Society[24] in Dolores, Colorado. The 470 series, or "K-28" class 2-8-2 "Mikado" type locomotives, were ten engines designed for freight service along the D&RG. 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. 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. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. 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. Get around Durango in style with rental vehicles. Browse different rides & seasonal events. 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. of tractive effort. This historic steam railroad has been in continuous operation since 1881.. The seats were padded and comfortable. This is our third time taking the train. Annual snowslides and several major floods on the branch would only continue to challenge the railroad's ability to survive. Altogether it took about 7 hours. 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. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was named the NUMBER ONE NORTH AMERICAN TRAIN TRIP by National Geographic Traveler in 2010 and was named one of the World's Top Ten Train Rides by the Society of American Travel Writers in 2009. If you go up and back you see both sides. Traded to the, Previously nicknamed the "PB-II". That train is also an option in the summer, but most folks do Durango to Silverton and back - that's almost 9 hours total including almost 2 hours . The price is just $15.00 and as with all of our merchandise, all proceeds go to benefit the Durango Railroad Historical Society. River Rafting & Tubing 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours, Mountain Waters Rafting & Adventure Company, River Rafting & Tubing Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks. It was reconverted to a full concession car by the D&SNG in 1982. Throughout the year this space is available to rent for your special occasion! Save on outdoor activities, tours & rentals. Face coverings were required to be worn by all even in the open air cars. 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. 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. Below are the dates that each car is available for booking during the winter months of 2022. 481 is operational and is the only remaining active coal burner left on the D&SNGs roster. The K-28s have 28,000lbf (124.550kN). At Cascade Creek the train stopped for about an hour so you can get out, stretch your leg and have lunch. 119 was built in 1882. View the Round trip schedule & fares. In 1993 it was acquired by the D&SNG and was restored to its original condition. The coal fired steam locomotive will be chugging its way down the same track that the miners, settlers and cowboys of the Old West took nearly a century ago. The D&RG reached Silverton on July 10, 1882. 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. The original northsouth plans of the D&RG eventually expanded to include extensions throughout the booming mining country of central and southwestern Colorado. Beginning May 7, 1988, a new diesel-hydraulic motorcar and trailer railbus began making trips out of Rockwood, Colorado up the Animas canyon. 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. Valuation Survey was inventorying the entire railroad property after it was returned to the D&RGW after World War 1. Patronage never met expectations and has not operated since. We arrived at the Rockwood Station around 8:30 and were surprised by how many people were already there. The 480s were used for freight-hauling throughout the D&RGW 3ft (914mm) narrow-gauge network. They had breakfast nachos, hotdogs and coffee and other drinks. 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. Its modern amenities include internet service and a twenty-inch flat paneled television. You can find the complete train schedule and associated classes of service offered for both of these Silverton trains at Durangotrain.com. Both cars were built as general passenger cars to help with the increase in passengers. It runs daily throughout the summer. 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). We came to Durango just for the Train Ride. Excellent day trip to Silverton or Cascade in original passenger car or open window gondola. [9], By the 1960s, a modernized D&RGW did not see the Silverton Branch as worthy to maintain and a petition was filed with governmental agencies to abandon it. Ride the train to a day of ziplining on the longest course in the US. Guests are encouraged to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. 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. It was changed to car 403 in 1885. She was very knowledgeable with stories and explaining the scenery. If youre driving in Colorado, you can find current road conditions by visiting the CO Department of Transportations Web site at COTrip.org 257 Shenandoah, built in 1880, originally numbered 267 until sold to the, 503 Crazy Woman Creek, acquired in 2019. It is available for charter and can hold up to eight people. Eureka and Palisade No. With the high elevation and brilliant sunshine,we recommend youhave a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen handy. 9:00 am. The D&SNG was founded by Charles Bradshaw Jr., of Florida, with the intent of purchasing the right-of-way and equipment while expanding the infrastructure and passenger revenue. Immigrant sleepers had very few amenities and had little consideration for passenger comfort. In 1971 engine 42 returned to Golden as a restaurant display at Heritage Square. 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. Numbers 493 and 498 are owned by the D&SNG, but #498 is not operational and serving as a parts source. It was converted to a coach-snack bar by the D&RGW in 1963 then reconverted in 1979 to a coach. Silverton steam train runs from May 7 - October 29. 480, 481, 482 and 486, all of which are operational. Age rated 14 and Durango and Silverton - HO scale ready to run Electric train set. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. In 1963 it was purchased by the Cinco Animas Corporation, where it received its present name. The Prospector features comfortable table and chair style seating. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. 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. For the safety and protection of guests and employees, the D&SNG suspended all operations until at least June 23, 2020. See the beauty of the San Juans on a guided tour. Locomotives 473, 476 and 478 operated on many parts of the D&RGW. Ownership of 315 was changed from the Chamber of Commerce to the City of Durango. They were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Here are the current train destination routes and times for the Summer and Fall. It was then rebuilt into an office living car for members of the Valuation Survey in 1919. Ride the train to a day of ziplining on the longest course in the US. durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad. 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 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. Animas Forks, one of the best preserved ghost towns in the state of Colorado, is only 12 miles from Silverton. 127 was the third concession car built by the D&SNG. And have dinner at the luxurious Strater Hotel, which will make your trip even better. Built in 1883, the Cinco Animas was originally an immigrant sleeper. Downtown Silverton along Greene & Blair Streets boasts of a bold past and is designated as a National Historic District. So, book a ticket to ride on this historic railway and see some of the most stunning wilderness that Colorado has to offer! Freight traffic, however, continued to decline, and during the 1950s The Silverton operated as a mixed train. 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. The 480s were the last ten narrow-gauge locomotives constructed for the D&RGW. It is on display in the museum. 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. Between 1982 and 1985 the D&SNG built Open Observation cars 411 and 412. 425 and, after the railroad was reorganized into D&RGW in 1924, it became No. 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. The train stops for a water refill beside the river. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. [17] In March, 2020, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country severely affected the US. No. In 1871, the Denver & Rio Grande Railway began to lay rails south from Denver. There is also a movie coach that was used in the filming of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where the railroad's informational and educational films are featured. You can read about the basic differences below, or read a more in depth description on our Durango Silverton train classes page. When you embark on your Durango to Silverton train journey you will have the choice of several different classes, from Standard Class to Presidential Class. No. [16] As of 2023, the railroad aims to have most, if not all, of its operational steam locomotives converted to oil-power. In March 1981, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW) sold the line and the D&SNG was formed. For this reason, the D&SNG traded #497 to the C&TSRR in exchange for K-36 class #482. 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 railway is a federally-designated National Historic Landmark and was also designated by the American Society of Civil . 99% of travelers recommend this experience. We enjoy the trip to Silverton riding 3 1/2 hours each way on this train plus spent 2 hours in Silverton. 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. Their staff is friendly and accommodating. The D&SNG owns four K-36s: Nos. 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. No. Very friendly staff. But a huge part o. How long does it take to ride the train from Silverton to Durango? Trains operate from Durango to the Cascade Wye in the winter months and DurangoSilverton during the summer months. Galloping Goose 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. Then the D&RGW realized that it was larger than another combination car 212. | The route is varied throughout the year and offers both winter excursions and summer excursions. Concession car 212 was originally D&RG coach 20 built in 1879. 486 is undergoing an overhaul and conversion to an oil burner. 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. 31/2 hours! Trains hauling passengers and freight began immediately. 1880s vintage coaches were exquisitely restored and new coaches were added to the roster of rolling stock. The last point of highway access between Durango and Silverton is the Rockwood Station. Despite being smaller than the K-36 class locomotives, older and less powerful, the engine crews tend to favor a trip on these engines because the design ALCO used was superior in balance and servicing. $$$$ American Steakhouse Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ Italian Pizza Vegetarian Friendly, $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$ - $$$ American Southwestern Cafe, $ Quick Bites American Vegetarian Friendly, $$$$ American Contemporary Vegetarian Friendly. The last excursion of the Animas River Railway was on September 23 from Rockwood to Cascade. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. 3681 is an ex-D&RGW boxcar. It runs daily throughout the summer. 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. It was rebuilt in 1937 at the Alamosa shops. Book your ticket on a historic narration coach and be entertained by tales from historic narrators dressed in period clothing and regaling you with tales from the fascinating and colorful history of the Durango and Silverton area. Anyone done this? In 1942, 215 had been sold to a Mexican railway. This railway is truly stunning throughout the year and will offer you a beautiful scenic journey during any season. The D&SNG has two museums, one each in Durango and Silverton. We may earn a commission when you use one of our links to make a purchase. There are three classes, K-28, K-36 and K-37, which are all based on wheel arrangement and pulling power of the locomotive. Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Durango, Hotels near Durango Adventures and Zipline Tours, Hotels near Durango Wildlife Museum and Fish Hatchery, Hotels near Montezuma County Airport (CEZ), Hotels near Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), Motels near Montezuma County Airport (CEZ), Motels near Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), Hotels near University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Things to do near Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Durango, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Durango, San Juan National Forest: Tickets & Tours, Historic Downtown Durango: Tickets & Tours, Durango Wildlife Museum and Fish Hatchery: Tickets & Tours, Small Group Tour of Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods from Denver, From Warsaw Auschwitz and Krakow one day tour by train with pick up and drop off, Zurich Tour Including Lake Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate, Sapanca Lake & Masukiye Zoo Tour with Lunch, Sunset - sailing cruise on yacht catamaran, Rethymno, Crete, Bean to Bar Chocolate Workshop in Puerto Vallarta, ATV Tour to Moray, Maras and Salt Flat in the Sacred Valley from Cusco, View all hotels near Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum on Tripadvisor. Not even once or twice. Would the Knight Sky be anymore protected from rain with its windows out than the Rio Grande? Planning Guides - Plan according to season or specialty. [citation needed] To help continue service, motorcar 1001 now RB-1 and trailer 1002 now 313 took people out to Elk Park from Silverton. The Durango and Silverton Railroad takes commuters through Colorado's San Juan National Forest. There are bathrooms available on the train during the two hour trip as well. In later years it fell into disrepair. The train's speed is about 12 mph and you were welcomed to get up to stand at either end of the train. In 1938, it was sold to Warner Bros. and was used in many films. "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. [citation needed]. Note: Historic Narration coach is currently unavailable due to COVID-19. Half the roundhouse is used for the steam engines and the other half is for the museum.
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