Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Reviews

We have little boys who love trains so this was a must visit both times we were in Durango. It's small and packed with historical trains/parts, diaromas behind glass of tiny battle figures and typical machines used during those battles (Revolutionary war, WW2, etc.), and a huge miniature electric train set up, complete with a drive in movie theater that shows short films, which is my boy's favorite part. Climbing into the caboose and other things was prohibited this time, maybe because of COVID, maybe because over time allowing that is harming the keepsakes? It's free, in walkable distance from downtown/historical Durango and is a lovely stop for any train loving family.

Breathtaking views and a wonderful ride. It was a little lengthy but we enjoyed it.

History is awesome. Due to COVID limited experience but wh a t I see so far can't wait to return

As advertised great scenic train ride, 2 hours & you do not need to be on a specific side to see everything. Train returns on same route.

Very great experience! We took bus to Silverton and train back to Durango. Beautiful scenery. Pretty small town with cool shops and restaurants.

Awesome collection of things, mainly railroad related but also a bunch of other stuff, always a fun visit. Walk outside to check out the roundhouse, it's quite the sight!

The museum is a hidden gem. Not only for those interested in trains but also for everyone interested in social history of America in the past two centuries.

Amazing trip! I loved every second of the train ride! We booked the vintage coach car for a round trip ride to and from Silverton. They offer a variety of trips and cars such as the open air gondola. Or a train up bus back option that s much less time and less expensive. The train serves food and drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic. One of a kind experience! Can t wait to do it again! Highly recommended. A Durango must experience!

We took our little one on a The Polar Express adventure. It was amazing and very well put together... the staff followed the book, and the movie, to the T... there was the Hobo, the Conductor checked the golden tickets and of coarse Santa Clause gave all the children a silver bell!! The ride to the North Pole is just over an hour and it is a lot of fun. My son was so excited, it's all he talked about for weeks! It was a very good trip and I highly recommend it to anyone, with or without children!

Amazing place to check out...from the Train ride to the Museum and the employees have great service..

Must see!!!! This is an awesome ride. Definitely should be on your bucket list.

Had a wonderful time. Enjoyed the museum and the local motive trains!

Alley was a FANTASTIC tour guide and full of knowledge. She was very patient with our 2 year old and other visitors' children. Such cool railroad and Durango history!

If you like old steam driven Railroad engines this is a place for you. This is my third ride on the Silverton and I probably will do it again. Unfortunately with all the wildfires in Colorado this Narrow Gauge is subject to mudslides which impacted our ride. Still would never deter me from going again

Absolutely beautiful ride. I dont recommend sitting in the car behind the engine. Try to get near the caboose. Bits of coal continuously fly out making it hard to look out the windows. My head was full of coal chunks all in my hair scalp. I was very tired by the time we returned and really wished we had just taken the bus back as it was just too long.....but pretty.

If you only go on one steam train in your life I would make it this one. Spectacular

Great train ride only downside was since the fire two weeks ago you have to be bussed from Durango to Rockwood to get the train there. They are working to repair track, but the bus system was disorganized and it would have been nice to know before the trip there was issues. That being said the views from the train is awesome. The staff is great. You can bring food and drinks. They do have an overpriced concession car if you want a snack or drink.

If you have never done this you should, with a round trip. It is an unforgettable experience and if you meet Kylah, the woman running the back, she will make your day a happy one. She made my entire experience better than I could have imagined. Definitely worth the time to travel to take this train. Best day in a long time for me.

We went by bus and back by train. In the bus the driver comments on the route which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes without stopping! We were eager to arrive. The return by train offers magnificent views, it lasts 3h30 it is a little long but it is worth it.

An old round house turned into a museum. Lots of things to look at, not just railroad, antique guns, stuffed animals, antique cars and more. Model railroads, great place for kids! (And adults)

I missed the train but the museum was worth the trip alone! I enjoyed seeing the old cars, trains and pieces of local history. There was a grandfather there with his young grandson and if I could I would have pulled up a chair and sat and listened to the stories the two of them were sharing. One was sharing his history and one was sharing his imagination. It was a beautiful thing to see.

The Museum and train Station are top notch. Great stuff for everyone.

We took two rides, the polar express and Cascade Canyon the next day.

The polar express was awesome, we were in the first class because there was no more seats left in the standard class. I would recommend the standard as it is more similar to the coach on the movie (the seats and everything else), and the price was just half of the first class.

The Cascade Canyon trip was amaaaziiing. I loved the scenery all the way from the town to the end. It was breathtaking. Especially because we took the ride on December (2019) so the snow amplified the beauty of the canyon. I believe it would be awesome in any other seasons, it's just the place that makes it amazing.

You just can't believe the scenary and the spectical of the steam engine and cars. Well worth the cost.

Very lovingly designed museum. Admission free, donation desired.

Can't miss this very scenic mountain ride to a western town Silverton still has dirt roads .I recommend this highly.want to go back and do the winter train

Super fun and gorgeous train ride through the mountains. We recommend bus one way and train the other to avoid too long a day. Various prices for the trip to fit your budget. A must see!

One of a kind experience that takes you back in time when train travel was a preferred mode of transportation. You need to get your tickets early if you want to ride in the VIP car.

It was fun for the family. Next time we will take the bus back. It was a long day for the kids.

Spectacular scenery, especially with the fresh snow. Very memorable!

You have to come here to experience a true life experience on a real steam powered train!

Enjoyable trip, lots of beautiful views. Bring gloves and a good hat, mine blew away!

This was cool because it was free and there are alot of exhibits. It has a lot of detail put into it and there are really cool exhibits relating to the train and the town in general!

As we were in Durango before May, the vintage narrow gauge train went only half way up the mountain. Chose the narration car which we enjoyed. Train buffs would love this. It was a 5 and a half hour trip. A little long for us, but we did enjoy it. Box lunches from The Yellow Carrot were excellent and enough for a very hearty appetite.

Trip of a lifetime. 3.5 hours of relaxing and watching the scenery. Take the bus back from silverton to save a few bucks.

It's amazing the things they've done to keep this going in such hard times. Hate to see such a treasure fall!

It was an interesting experience. I would definitely suggest riding the train One Direction and catching the bus the other direction. It is a Narrow Gauge Railroad and it does rock and roll. Silverton appears to be strictly a Terrorist Town. It is worth riding, and taking children 7 and older.

An eclectic museum full of old items and collections, with the steam train tracks running just outside the museum. I recommend budgeting a few hours to view.

This was a great day trip. It's a bit slow bit that allows you to enjoy the absolutely spectacular scenery. The rivers, the mountains and red rock and in our case even a bit of snow. Process of concessions on the train are reasonable and Silverton it's a classic. One paved road, cute shops and restaurants. You might want to consider the bus back just to save time, but we took the train both ways.

One of the most scenic and well run tourist trains in the country. Really captures the essence of railroading. A must do for everyone.

Fun and a ton of history here definately worth the stop alone.

You have to take the train up the mountain in the middle of winter! Beautiful!

Amazing train ride through the Mountains. Lunch was served half way. Silverton is worth seeing.

This place is great. Tons of artifacts and models and even military memorabilia. Also a few stretches of rail with historic train cars.

Amazing experience and very authentic! You gotta do the open glass car!

The way it was 100 years ago on a delightful journey up the river to Silverton

Quaint little town with amazing little shops and tons of eateries. Loved the ambience and community feel!

This place has sort of an odd collection of stuff, but you can't really beat getting to see actual steam engines up close! Definitely a place worth stopping if you're passing through, even if you're not planning on riding the train itself.

Loved the train ride! We traveled both ways and could not be happier with every part of it. And High Noon Hamburgers in Silverton had great burgers.

Beautiful Train Ride. Saw evidence of avalanches. Noteworthy museum. Bring your camera.

The railroad was awesome. We stopped at the backcountry stop in Needleton.

Great fun seeing the locomotives operate and visit the museum too.

Cool place but mean fat woman with blonde hair at gift shop

We visited The Polar Express with another family, it made for a memorable experience for our kiddos, highly recommended!

A nice museum also "traveling" because the diesel (or steam) train from Durango to Silverton and back is still active.
The town has maintained its "vintage" style and is purely touristy, however it is pleasant to stay there.
Visited in August 2007.