Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Review

An interesting place to learn about the locomotive... And much more. There seems to be a mishmash of artifacts that are not really related, but it's a fun experience nonetheless

A lot of fun and the best way to sit back and enjoy some great scenery!

Very interesting small museum featuring an old 1916 La France fire engine. Several unique old cars like a Model T. There are a couple train cars and caboose to look at. There is a large diorama with several model trains. A seemingly recent addition is a 600 gallon fish tank featuring several juvenile local fish. Best part is the museum is free.

Its free and really neat. If your into trains, or learning about some historical railroad stuff this is definitely a place to check out in passing.

ever one there to give you what you want and to help you any way they cane kind people

Awesome must see historic attraction. Can't say enough good things about this place. Everyone is sure to enjoy and appreciate the museum and friendly atmosphere and staff.

We took a train ride from Durango to Silverton and back. Two guides in period costumes were talking about the history of the area, local heroes, mining history, etc. for the whole duration of the ride. We enjoyed beautiful scenery, walk and lunch in Picturesque Silverton. Overall, very interesting way to spend a day. Highly recommend!

A great steam train trip through some really beautiful country along the Animas River. One of the few remaining narrow gauge railways that are tourist attractions. I highly recommend taking the trip if you are in the area.

Torn between the the beauty of this local treasure and infernal noise.

What a fun trip. Incredible scenery and good coffee! We went in the opened car which was great for views and cool air but, at times, the soot from the engine got a little much. Still, I'd recommend it over the closed car. Just makes the experience much more intimate and fun

Didn't ride the train but visited the museum. It resides in part of the former roundhouse. It is larger than I thought and has a little bit of everything (trains, military, cars, etc.) Overall it is a great museum with a lot to see. We were pleasantly surprised. The best thing is that the admission is FREE. This is a must see if you are visiting Durango.

Controversial judgment, 5 stars for the atmosphere that the train evokes, the landscape, incomparable beauty.
0 stars because the round trip train consumes 6 tons of coal and 40,000 liters of water, all for the two trains a day.
On the way back I feel like I've smoked a couple of packs of cigarettes.
I don't think greta thunberg would be happy about that!

Fun time in the oen air car on the way up to Silverton. Take the Bus back!

A beautiful ride up thru the mountains from Durango to Silverton. We went in the fall and all the aspens were in their full glory. The train up and back is a full day. The train up and bus back worked better for us, PLUS the bus ride is different scenery/

This is a must-do if you are a fan of steam trains, lover of amazing mountain canyon views, or someone that wants to feel as though they stepped back in time. The scenery on the ride is incredible and the staff are great. I suggest taking the train up and the bus back since the views are quite different.

Didn't go inside. But lots of interesting stuff outside. Wish we would've gone in.

Impressive winding road, unique views. Recommended for sightseeings

Family friendly great for small children up to adults

Can be fun to hit once and get the tourist experience in. Train ride is long, longer than we were led to believe by an hour or so each way (think there was a brief delay due to that summer's fire damage or something related), so be prepared to suck cinders and smoke for 7-8 hours round trip. Bar car helps that at least. We only had 50 minutes in Silverton for lunch, which was quite rushed before having to head back. One of the bathrooms in the car was inoperable early into the trip, so that limited the entire car to a single one.

It s been a couple years since I ve been on the train, but what a phenomenal experience it was.

So much fun to pass the day on a round trip to Silverton and back. The Presidential car was worth the extra expense, comfy and warm. Bob was our host and was helpful and friendly. If the point of your vacation is to relax, this is a great way to do it.

Their prices are really high. But their is a lot of history there.

Super guide (ellie) and amazing scenery, Silverton is awesome tourist town for pit stop, and the train itself is so interesting from seeing the coal engine to having drinks in the parlour car!

We loved the views!!
Word of caution though, our car had the noisiest family I have ever heard in my life! If I had to do it again I would upgrade to first class and maybe still take sound reduction headphones with good music just in case!

An awesome experience with breathtaking views; just wish they had a few activities geared toward children to keep them occupied.

If you like old trains this is a must go destination

The train experience is just that: an experience. The vintage steam engine running on a track only 3 wide through the mountains and along the river is a one of a kind experience. You hear the actual chug chug of the steam engine and feel the cars rock side to side as you look out the window and was you are on a cliff edge overlooking a river with snowy peaks in the distance. There is just nothing like it.

We were in a narrated car, and our guide told great stories! The scenery was great. Our seats got pretty hard and the car pretty hot by the end of the trip. Definitely only go by train one way - take the bus the other way!

Cool train but 3 and half hours is waaaaay too long to be seeing the same scenery.

Very fun experience for the whole family! It was beautiful with all of the snow!

Lovely journey, even in the rain, and I love trains

Great time for the kids and family. We did the Polar Express and had a great time.

My family took the Knight sky car to Silverton and the bus back. The Knight sky cra has a windowed roof. So, you really get some amazing views. Originally, I booked the bus back because we wanted to do something in the afternoon. Not being used to the altitude, or the swing motion of the train cars, I was happy about my decision by the end. We also got different views of the stunning scenery by taking two different routes. If you really enjoy trains, taking the train both ways would be fabulous also. Dakota, our service professional on the train, was fabulous at pointing things out, and giving us our refreshments and swag. Thank you!

Great place. Awesome displays trains, cars, trucks, and military.

This is a great museum for railroads but has quite a few vintage automobiles from the early 20th century. And it's free!

Came to Durango for the holidays and we decided to go on a train ride. The train ride was awesome, I really enjoyed the snow covering the landscape and taking in the cool air. There is so much to see during the ride. I wanted to do the Polar Express but decided I would rather enjoy seeing the landscape, because Polar Express is done @ night and you cannot enjoy so much. I do plan to do the Polar Express perhaps next year to see what that is about. They offered food and drinks. The drinks were pretty good. We decided to pack our own lunch. We were not able to go all the way to Silverton because of the weather but we were taken half way I believe and it was still really beautiful. They had a lit fireplace under a huge gazebo which kept us really warm and we were able to enjoy our lunch and walk around in the snow. I would like to take the train again and hopefully weather will be good all the way to Silverton. I do recommend, the ride is beautiful. The museum is pretty cool also. Stop in and have a look.

I have been on this train @ 4 times now. It is a long ride up and back but has spectacular views. Silverton is a great town to visit.

Beautiful train ride spectacular mountains and valleys

We didn't ride the train but visited the museum. It is fantastic! I can't believe this is free. Incredible variety of displays and artifacts.

Wow! Amazing! I'm dying to return !! They transport you to a movie from the west !!

Very neat working yard and museum, trains are great and fun to ride.

Public train rides almost every day take you yop through the mountains and along the Animas River.

Breathtaking views on tour to Canyon Creek and back.

I loved the train trip from Durango to Silverton and back. Great personal ! And coffee !

Wonderful experience for adults and kids alike. Breathtaking views from the train. Friendly and informative staff. Highly recommended to take during fall or spring.

The train ride was super fun. The landscapes around us were beautiful! The old historic train was amazing!

Great museum and the train ride is awesome. It's one of those things you make sure and stop for and make time for, it's worth it.

The Train ride is awesome and that it is so beautiful if you go during snow fall.

Experience of a lifetime, views were unbelievable and those mountains are amazingly beautiful. Look what God created!

A great find. Chock full of great train memorabilia and other historical vehicles and Durango history. Free admission!!! Highly recommend

My son had a blast ! We went to the pumpkin patch, the ride was a perfect amount of time for him (30min each way). The staff was friendly and entertaining in their halloween costumes.

Outstanding free museum, and narrow gauge train trip to Silverton Colorado. Definitely want to go back there to take the trip to Silverton, and spend more time in the Museum.

Lived in Durango for years, never knew this gem existed... Truely worth visiting

This train ride is amazingly beautiful and such a fun, memorable way to spend a day. It s expensive but so so worth it.

Pretty cool staff but coal dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty.

We recently went on the fall festival ride. This was a great event for the whole family.

We took the train from Durango to Silverton, and rode the bus back. The train ride is absolutely stunning in its scenery, the amenities were pleasant and employees all seem to be doing a job they love. Because it's four hours each way by train we opted for the bus ride home (about 90 minutes). In addition to the time savings this turned out to be an excellent choice as we got to see different scenery, and our bus driver provided fascinating commentary on the history, environment, and geology of the area. We highly recommend it!

We took an early morning bus up there (quicker) and train back after exploring the town. The train ride is very long but scenic, but wouldn t want to ride it round trip, esp. w kids along. Reserve an outdoor car if weather isn t too cold. More intimate. Both sides have equally pretty views, maybe the left side (going back towards Durango) is prettier though. Ashes never came in on us once sitting in covered outdoor car.

I wish there were a way to leave no stars. My 4 year old loves trains and we have been to train museums throughout the country. This one was average, but the curator made it a horrible experience. He yelled at a group of kids who got too close to an exhibit. Right in front of their parents. Seriously, spoke to them with complete ignorance and disrespect. He stared meanly at every visitor as they came in. He was harassing a woman standing near an old train. He cursed at my husband in front of my son for taking a photo of the train.

His unprofessional, insulting, immature, handling of the public was a complete embarrassment. I hope that when they hire a new curator, they let everyone know so that they know it is safe to come back and visit. Until then, I will make sure to let everyone know that this is NOT a tourist or child friendly experience.

Top ten as one of the best things I've ever done in my life.
Amazing views. Go in the fall. When the aspens are turning color. Amazing!