“WELCOME Aboard Folks”, the conductor said as we settled ourselves onto the train that would take us on a day tour from Durango to Silverton and back. I selected the ‘Cinco Animas’ carriage on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, right at the back of the train, hoping to take some lovely photos as the train made its way through the glorious countryside, alongside a quiet river that flows along part of the route.
Having visited the Four Corners Monument the previous day, and driven to Durango during the afternoon, I was looking forward to a quiet and relaxing day as the train made its way slowly to Silverton. When booking your ticket, you are given various options as to where you may want to sit on the train. The Standard Class is the cheapest ticket and probably most suited to families. You will not be disappointed with the vintage coach or open gondola from which you can admire the passing scenery while chatting to your fellow passengers.
The Deluxe Class is one grade higher and offers you the Rio Grande Gondola or the San Juan Coach, slightly more grand than the open air gondola or the vintage coach. Following that is the First Class options: the Alamosa Parlor Car, the Silver Vista, Prospector or Knight Sky carriages.
The final option is the Presidential Class with the Cinco Animas carriage at the back of the train. I recommend this option if you would like to stand at the back of the train and take the best photos of the track as you move slowly through the countryside. The extra cost between the First Class and Presidential Class is not that much, and can definitely be justified when it comes to impressing your Instagram followers with the best possible photos.
Making your way slowly out of Durango, you settle into your seat and start to relax as the mountain scenery unfolds in front of you and the river to the left side of the train. The train stops a few times along the route, for what reason exactly I cannot remember, but you may want to use the chance to head to a different section of the train and get some different photos.
After three hours, and 45 miles of train track covered, you will arrive into Silverton where you will be given the chance to wander around the town at your convenience. You can choose to have lunch in Silverton, or perhaps wandering through the shops selling cowboy boots is more your thing. How about a visit to the Old Town Square if you have time, otherwise just wander through town and admire the large collection of cars from many decades ago?
The stop in Silverton was too short for my liking, just two hours. I like to take so many photos and wander through most of the shops, but that time was cut short by needing to be back on the train for the return ride to Durango. What you may want to do is consider an evening stay in Silverton and then catch the return train to Durango the next day. That way you will be guaranteed 24 hours during which you can explore the lovely old town of Silverton, admiring the colorful old cars, visiting the Old Town Square and even indulging in some of the lovely local ice-cream.
With the visit to Silverton now over, it was time, with a strong toot of the train’s whistle loud enough to nearly make me drop my delicious ice-cream, to return to the train and make the return journey of three hours to Durango.
You will know that you are back in Durango when the river, now on the right of the train, makes way for the tarred road and the railway crossing. Slowly you pull into Durango, getting your things ready to disembark the train with memories of your relaxing trip through the mountains, alongside a quiet river, and perhaps already planning your next trip on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Consider one of the accommodation options in Colorado by clicking in the box below with booking.com or with Agoda here.
Booking.comOur other posts on the United States may be found here.
(Visited in June 2014)