Live History
on the Durango Colorado Train!

Instead of reading about history, be part of it! Ride the Durango Colorado train, and you can live history.

The Durango train, more formally known as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge train, has been in continuous operation for 124 years. It arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881.

By fall that year, construction had begun on the tracks to Silverton. Incredible as it seems (when you follow that narrow river canyon where no roads have ever been built), only nine months later, the line was complete, in July 1882.

The train was used to haul both passengers and freight... that is, gold and silver ore! Both precious metals were mined in Silverton, and the ore shipped out on the Durango Colorado Train.

Today, the steam-powered train still runs from Durango to Silverton, though it no longer carries gold and silver. But the views are worth their sight in gold - and silver.

The Durango train follows the Animas River as it wends its way through deep, narrow canyons. At times, you're riding along the river itself (which can be a bit exciting during flood seasons). Then you're clinging to a canyon wall, hanging above the torrent of water below, feeling as if you'll pitch right in any second.

Just be sure to bring a camera. You won't want to miss the pictures you can capture.

Three trains run daily during the summer months. And, so long as the snow is not drifted too deep, one runs every day all winter as well, as far as Cascade Canyon.

That's where the picture on the homepage came from. We took our kids on the Durango Colorado train when we were out one winter.

Lucky me, I've been on several times--all the way to Silverton. Ah, the views, the sway of the train car as it wobbles ever so slightly side to side. The rush of river water far below (or right beside you!), mingling with the rattle of the trains wheels along the track.

The coal dust (if you ride in the open cars)...oh wait. Maybe not the coal dust. Hmmm. I think I enjoyed the open cars the best (because you can cautiously hang out a bit for better pictures), but if you want a little less coal dust (and it's not that much, really), there are plenty of enclosed cars.

The best views of those tall, tall mountain peaks looming above are from the open cars, though.

Frequent Durango train rider tip: take along light jackets, and wear long pants. If the sky clouds over, you'll get cold, even in the summer, at those altitudes. Most important, take along your sense of adventure. That's what this ride's all about.

Come on! Let's ride the Durango Colorado train, and live a little history!

Photo courtesy of Animas Museum

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