In this Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad review, we’ll go back in time and relive the Old Wild West. I had the opportunity to try this railroad last May while I was traveling in Colorado.
f you’re looking for the best weekend getaway on your upcoming trip, you’re on the right page.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been operating since 1881. This train is considered a narrow-gauge heritage railroad. It operates about 45.2 miles and travel a total of 9 hours and 25 minutes for the roundtrip journey. Lastly, this heritage railroad has a narrow-gauge track of 3 ft.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has two trains operating daily. The Silverton Diesel Train departs the station at 8:15 a.m. and the Silverton Steam Train departs at 9:00 a.m.
As an avid fan of steam locomotives, I chose the latter and explored the vast wilderness of Silverton by train.
Let’s start!
Ticketing Information
As mentioned a while ago, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has diesel and steam locomotives. Take note that the steam train costs a couple of bucks more compared to its counterpart.
Additionally, the diesel locomotive is the only train that travels deep inside the wilderness that’s perfect for backpackers.
Booking a ticket for the Durango to Silverton trip is easy. You can book a ticket by going to their website and choosing the train you want to take. You’ll find all the trains that the company has to offer, their operating dates, and the range of prices.
There are seven options for the Durango to Silverton trip. You can choose from one-way trips, round-trip, or extended excursions.
Also, the options include a range of prices for adult passengers and children. You’ll also find the Polar Express price for passengers who are traveling in winter.
In my case, I booked the Durango to Silverton Round Trip ticket on its steam locomotive. I was excited to see all the amazing views that his railroad has to offer.
After choosing the date of my travel, I decided to go for the First Class Prospector. The good thing about these trips is that you can choose where to sit. Additionally, booking online gives you the privilege of choosing which car to take and where to seat.
Also, you’ll find additional optional items to reserve the parking space for your car or RV. Once you’re done, you can continue to the payment section and you’re all set to go.
Departure and Arrival Schedule
The train operates between early May and late October. Make sure to check out their website here for current updates on their operating days, hours, and prices.
Steam Locomotive
- Durango Departure: 9:00 a.m.
- Silverton Arrival: 12:30 p.m.
- Silverton Departure: 2:45 p.m.
- Durango Arrival: 6:15 p.m.
Diesel Locomotive
- Durango Departure: 8:15 a.m.
- Silverton Arrival: 11:45 a.m.
- Silverton Departure: 2:00 p.m.
- Durango Arrival: 5:30 p.m.
7 Options on the Durango to Silverton Trips
When you’re traveling from Durango to Silverton, you can choose between seven different options for your trip.
Additionally, these choices differ whether it’s a one-way trip, round trip, or a quick excursion.
Let’s break it down a bit more.
Durango to Silverton Round Trip
This option lets you go on a trip from Durango to Silverton and back on a train. That’s 3 hours and 30 minutes travel each way.
Plus you can spend 2 hours exploring the historical town of Silverton. Here are the current prices for this choice depending on which car you choose:
- Adult: $105 – $230
- Child (Ages 4-11) & Polar Express (Ages 2-11): $69 – $205
Skyway Tour Bus Combinations (Train Up/Bus Return)
This option lets you travel to Silverton by train and return to Durango on a D&SNGRR motorcoach.
A perfect idea for passengers who would like to experience the beauty of a train ride and still get home early. Also, the train leaves the depot at 9:00 a.m.
Here are the current prices for this choice depending on which car you choose:
- Adult: $130 – $255
- Child (Ages 4-11) & Polar Express (Ages 2-11): $94 – $230
Skyway Tour Bus Combinations (Bus Up/ Train Up)
In contrast to the previous option, this will take you to Silverton by bus and you get back to Durango by train.
The bus leaves the area at 10:15 a.m. Here are the current prices for this choice depending on which car you choose:
- Adult: $130 – $255
- Child (Ages 4-11) & Polar Express (Ages 2-11): $94 – $230
Durango to Silverton One Way
Go to Silverton by train going through the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Take note that if you want to go back to Durango on the same day, you have to book either a different option or arrange for other transport services.
Here are the current prices for this choice depending on which car you choose:
- Adult: $105 – $230
- Child (Ages 4-11) & Polar Express (Ages 2-11): $69 – $105
Silverton to Durango One Way
If you’re coming from Silverton, you can choose this option and go to Durango by train.
Also, like the previous option, you have to arrange your transport if you want to go back to Silverton on the same day.
Here are the current prices for this choice depending on which car you choose:
- Adult: $105 – $230
- Child (Ages 4-11) & Polar Express (Ages 2-11): $69 – $105
Silverton Round Trip with Silverlight Express Van Return
This option lets you start your journey on Silverton. The train departs Silverton in the afternoon going to Durango. By evening, you return to Silverton on a van shuttle.
Take note that passengers who are bringing their children under the age of 4, must bring their car seat.
You can contact this number at 888-872-4607 to make a reservation.
Here are the current prices for this choice depending on which car you choose:
- Adult: $145 – $155
- Child (Ages 4-11) & Polar Express (Ages 2-11): $109 – $119
Extended Silverton Van Return
This option is perfect for passengers who want to spend more time in Silverton. Take the morning train ride from Durango to Silverton and return to Durango in the evening on a van shuttle.
As previously said, note that passengers who are bringing their children under the age of 4 should bring their car seats.
You can contact this number at 888-872-4607 to make a reservation.
Here are the current prices for this choice depending on which car you choose:
- Adult: $145 – $155
- Child (Ages 4-11) & Polar Express (Ages 2-11): $109 – $119
Classes of Service
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers several car classes of service that you can choose from.
These classes differ in pricing and age restrictions. Additionally, you’ll notice that the pricing differs depending on the type of locomotive (steam or diesel).
Standard Coach Class (All Ages)
The standard coach class service has industry standard seats11111` like what you’ll find in an economy class plane
. The seats are bench-style and you can open your windows if you want to. Additionally, this class is open for all ages and has 44 seats in total and two restrooms at the back.
Take note that the train elevates into the mountains which means that you have to dress accordingly to the time of year.
Standard Open-Air Gondola (All Ages)
Like the coach class, the open-air gondola has bench-style seating. However, it faces out of the train and can accommodate ten people the most.
Additionally, this class doesn’t have any glass so you can be sure that you can take in all the scenery and air while you’re on the trip.
This car can hold 40 passengers and is great to immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery.
You must dress accordingly when you choose to book a seat on the open-air gondola because it can be very cold in the mountains.
Lastly, using sunglasses is highly recommended because of the possible cinders from the smoke of the train (if you’re traveling on the steam train).
Deluxe Class Historical San Juan Coach (All Ages)
The deluxe class San Juan coach car is only available for the steam train trip. This car has reversible and overstuffed seats.
You can choose between individual or bench-style seating. Additionally, there are two restrooms at the back of the car. Lastly, this car can accommodate 30 people.
Deluxe Class Rio Grande Open Observation (All Ages)
The Rio Grande open observation car is only available for the diesel train trip. This car has large and comfortable overstuffed seats facing out of the train.
Furthermore, it has expansive viewing windows that allow you to see everything around you. Lastly, this car can accommodate 32 people.
Deluxe Legend (All Ages)
The deluxe legend car has face-to-face oversized seats with extra large windows. Additionally, this car is only available for the diesel train trip and can accommodate 32 people.
There are also two restrooms at the back of the car.
First Class Prospector (All Ages)
The Prospector is a first-class car that’s only available on the steam train trip. This car has table and chair-style seating that can accommodate 24 people.
Additionally, there are attendants in this car that can answer your questions and tell a few stories on the way.
There are unlimited complimentary non-alcoholic drinks throughout the entire trip. Additionally, passengers receive a tote bag, souvenir mug, and a pastry.
Lastly, one of the most attractive things about this car is that you’ll find an enlarged route map on its ceiling.
First Class Red Mountain (All Ages)
The first class red mountain car is also only available on the steam train trip. This car also has table and chair-style seating that can accommodate 24 people.
Like the prospector car, you’ll also get complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, a pastry, a souvenir mug, and a tote bag.
First Class Silver Vista (All Ages)
The Silver Vista is a first-class car available on the steam train trip. It’s one of the best cars that offer the best views and has the most legroom out of all the cars available.
Not only does it have overhead views, but there’s also a private outdoor viewing platform that’s exclusive to the passengers in this car.
Additionally, there’s an overboard attendant, morning pastry, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, a tote bag per group/couple, and a souvenir mug.
Lastly, this car can accommodate 26 people and has an attendant service area on the back.
First Class Yankee Girl (Ages 21+)
This first class car is designed as a luxurious Victorian Era that includes Oak, Mahogany and African Bird’s-eye Maple with custom stamped-tin ceiling panels, and wrought-iron scrollwork.
Its layout has individual seating with tables and chairs.
Additionally, like all first-class and presidential cars, it has amenities that include unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, an onboard attendant, a morning pastry, one tote bag per group/couple, and a souvenir mug.
Lastly, it can accommodate 24 people and is available in both steam and diesel locomotives. Also, there are two restrooms in the back, a service counter, and a beverage station too.
This is a really great option and a very popular choice.
First Class Knight Sky (All Ages)
The Knight Sky first-class car is available in both steam and diesel locomotives. This popular train was built in 2012 that provides overhead panorama.
It has a glass dome and leather-trimmed first-class seats. Additionally, passengers also get unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, a morning pastry, an onboard attendant, a souvenir mug, and one tote bag per group/couple.
Lastly, this car can accommodate 26 people and has an outdoor observation platform, and an attendant service area.
First Class Alamosa Parlor Car (21+)
The Alamosa Parlor Car is a first-class car redesigned when it was first built in 1881.
It has individual seating with lounge-style tables and chairs. There’s also an exclusive outdoor viewing platform on this car.
Additionally, this car can accommodate 24 people and has a bar, a gallery, and two restrooms.
Like other first-class and presidential cars, passengers will get one tote bag per couple/group, a souvenir mug, morning pastry, and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks.
Presidential Class Cinco Animas (21+)
The Cinco Animas is the only presidential class service for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
There are two areas to choose from in this car where it showcases a Pullman berth seating and the Observation Parlor Room. Additionally, there’s an outdoor observation platform.
You’ll receive a tote bag per group/couple, a souvenir mug, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and a morning pastry.
Lastly, this car can accommodate 12 people.
The Experience
The Durango to Silverton steam train departs at 9:00 a.m. I arrived at the depot and noticed that it was large enough for every passenger waiting to be comfortable.
Once the train was ready and everyone was boarding, I immediately went to my reserved seat.
Choosing the First Class Prospector was a good idea because the overhead map was amazing to see.
Not only does it have the entire map, but the onboard attendant keeps informing us where the train currently was while we were traveling.
Additionally, I noticed that everyone in Durango waves at the train when we pass them.
Whether it’s the people that the train passes by, the people on the car waiting for the train to pass, or even the people horseback riding, everyone waved, it was fantastic!
Breathtaking Scenery
I chose the seat right next to the window facing front for me to easily see the amazing view. Since the train only takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to go to Silverton and back, it felt like a really quick ride.
The complimentary drinks and snacks were good. If you’re looking for other snacks, you can get the items on their concession menu.
Additionally, take note that there’s no cell service going while you’re traveling. So you can expect to be fully engrossed with the scenery, well I certainly was.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was voted as one of the world’s top ten exciting train rides and it lives up to this expectation.
Moreover, take note that if you’re coming from Durango, choose a seat on the right side because that’s where all the amazing views are. If you’re coming from Silverton, choose a seat on the left side.
As the altitude increases, it can get a bit chilly, make sure that you’re properly dressed for the weather.
It was breathtaking to see the train right on the side of a cliff. Also, we moved through tunnels, explored the San Juan Mountains, crossed the Animas River, and more.
We had a 30-minute stop at the Cascade Canyon by the river to give passengers some time to stretch out their legs.
I got the perfect opportunity to take amazing pictures. The train whistled, everyone got onboard, and it was time to move again.
2-Hour Stop at Silverton
The two hour stop at Silverton was too short for me. I didn’t get enough time to explore the amazing town so I decided that, when I do this railroad again, I’ll spend one night in this town.
There are shopping areas, restaurants, and many places to go to in Silverton. Undoubtedly, the amazing backdrop of the mountains where the Colorado gold rush happened adds to the amazing view and experience.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Review – Conclusion
Riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a must-do if you’re a railroad enthusiast.
The views on this ride are amazing and you definitely won’t bedisappointed.
Additionally, if you have the budget, go for the first class ride because it’s well worth every penny.
Safe train travels and enjoy!
