Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

State: Colorado. Type: heritage/scenic railroad. Route runs about 45.2 miles between Durango and Silverton. In continuous operation since 1882. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Departs from the historic Durango Depot in downtown Durango, La Plata County.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a historic steam and diesel railway running 45.2 miles between Durango and the former mining town of Silverton in southwestern Colorado. It was built in 1881-1882 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad to haul silver and gold ore out of the San Juan Mountains, and it reached Silverton in July 1882. As mining declined, the line pivoted toward tourism, with a dedicated passenger service launched in 1947. The original Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad ended its operations on the line in 1980, and the railroad was purchased and relaunched the following year as the independently operated Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Today it runs vintage steam and diesel trains along the Animas River through the San Juan National Forest, offering the full Durango-Silverton route in the warmer months and a shorter winter route through Cascade Canyon.

The railroad departs from the Durango Depot in downtown Durango, La Plata County, in southwestern Colorado, and travels along the Animas River through the San Juan National Forest to Silverton in neighboring San Juan County.

The route runs through a mountain climate that can vary significantly with elevation and season. Travel accounts note that open-air gondola cars stay cold above about 8,000 feet even in summer, so temperatures on board can be noticeably cooler than in downtown Durango. The winter Cascade Canyon route travels through snowy alpine scenery for much of its season.

The full Durango-to-Silverton route with its layover in town typically runs from roughly May through October, based on current published schedules. The winter months bring the shorter Cascade Canyon Express through scenic snow-covered terrain when the full Silverton route is not operating. Confirm the current season's exact dates on the operator's site before planning a trip.

Construction on the narrow-gauge line began in July 1881, undertaken by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad and built largely by a workforce that included Chinese and Irish immigrant laborers earning about $2.25 a day, with at least 500 workers involved. The line reached Durango on August 5, 1881, and Silverton on July 10, 1882, completing the roughly 45-mile stretch in about nine months. It was originally built to haul silver and gold ore from San Juan Mountains mining camps rather than to carry passengers. The operating company was reorganized as the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in 1886 and later as the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in 1921. As mining wound down, the line increasingly turned to tourism, launching a dedicated passenger service known as 'The Silverton' on June 24, 1947, with a distinctive yellow 'Painted Train' that helped boost ridership. The original railroad's operations on the line ended on October 5, 1980, and the line was purchased by Charles Bradshaw Jr., who relaunched it as the independently run Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on March 25, 1981. A roundhouse fire in the winter of 1989 damaged six locomotives, but the railroad continues to operate historic steam locomotives today and holds National Historic Landmark status.

Ride the historic steam or diesel train from Durango to Silverton, a roughly 3.5-hour trip each way with about a 2-hour layover in Silverton, according to the operator's published schedule. During the off-season, ride the shorter Cascade Canyon Express, a roughly 5-hour round trip through scenic canyon terrain. Visit the free D&S Roundhouse Museum at the Durango Depot, a 12,000-square-foot facility housing historic narrow-gauge steam locomotives. Choose between enclosed vintage coach cars or open-air gondola cars depending on the views and weather you prefer, and use the layover to explore historic Silverton.

The historic Durango Depot, which also houses the free D&S Roundhouse Museum; the scenic Animas River canyon along the rail route; the historic mining town of Silverton at the end of the line; the surrounding San Juan National Forest; and downtown Durango's historic district near the depot.

The nearest airport is Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO), roughly 12-15 miles, or about 20 minutes or more, from downtown Durango and the depot. From the airport, travelers typically drive, take a shuttle, or use rideshare into town, since the train itself departs only from the Durango Depot and does not connect directly to the airport.

As of research, the Silverton route ran seasonally, roughly May through October, with morning departures around 8:15 to 9:45 a.m. depending on the exact date, while the winter Cascade Canyon Express operated the rest of the year. Confirm the current season's schedule on durangotrain.com before booking.

Fares vary by route, season, and car class (standard coach versus open-air or premium seating), and the operator adds an 8% historic preservation fee, based on research findings. Check durangotrain.com for current pricing, since rates change with season and availability.

A half day for the winter Cascade Canyon Express (about 5 hours round trip); a full day for the Durango-to-Silverton route, which runs about 9-plus hours including the layover in Silverton.

Downtown Durango offers the historic Strater Hotel, with 88 rooms and on-site restaurants and entertainment, within walking distance of the depot. Other nearby options include the Holiday Inn & Suites Durango Downtown, Hampton Inn & Suites Durango Downtown, Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn, and Durango Downtown Inn, most of which are a short walk from both the train depot and downtown dining and nightlife.

Downtown Durango's Main Avenue and 2nd Avenue corridor offers a range of dining, from pub food to sit-down restaurants and microbreweries, all within walking distance of the depot. Silverton, the train's turnaround point, has a smaller selection of cafes and restaurants for the roughly 2-hour layover, though hours can be limited outside peak season, so it's worth checking ahead.

Mesa Verde National Park; the historic towns of Silverton and Ouray; Purgatory Resort; and the San Juan Skyway scenic byway connecting the region's mountain towns.

Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) is the closest airport for flights. A rental car or rideshare is recommended for reaching the depot and exploring beyond downtown Durango, since the train itself functions as a scenic attraction rather than a regular commuter service.

Book tickets well in advance, especially for summer weekends, fall color season, and holidays, since trains regularly sell out months ahead according to the operator and independent travel guides. Arrive at the depot at least 30 minutes before departure, since boarding takes time and the depot gets busy. Open-air gondola cars can be cold at higher elevations even in summer, and the steam engine produces soot, so dress accordingly and follow all posted boarding and safety instructions.

A jacket or extra layers, since open-air cars get cold, especially near Silverton's higher elevation; sunscreen and sunglasses; a camera for canyon views; cash or a card for shops and food in Silverton during the layover; and clothing you don't mind getting a little sooty from the steam engine.

Reserve tickets well ahead of your travel dates, particularly for summer and fall foliage season. Choose a side of the train based on your direction of travel for the best canyon views, and consider an open-air car for unobstructed photos if weather allows. Pack layers even in summer, since temperatures drop in open cars and at higher elevations, and set aside a full day for the Silverton route given the long layover and round trip. Visit the free Roundhouse Museum at the depot before or after your ride.

Dial 911 for emergencies. For ticketing and operational questions, the railroad's official reservations line is (877) 872-4607, per durangotrain.com.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (official site): https://durangotrain.com/

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.