Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Review

Love this train! It's amazing!
If you get the chance to do the Blues train, take it! Well worth the ticket price!

I've been to Durango many times but this way the first visit to the musuem. Very cool. It was so fun to take the kids and let them touch and see inside of a real locomotive. They absolutely loved the train sets that were running. We also got to watch the train come in to the station.

Awesome place with tons of history. You can easily spend a day here reading and learning. The steam engine tour is one of the best tours I have done at a railyard. Definitely on the list of places to go of you are in town.

We rode the Polar Express. Our family thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.

Would have been better if I booked the history tour, train back from Silverton was a little long.

Just an awesome place to visit. Original building. Too much to say. Well worth the visit!

An amazing experience with an awesome staff. If you are in Durango for any reason, I recommend you take a day to do this.

Durango is a great city, unfortunately it did not work out with the train ride, because of forest fire

The trip was beautiful we rode in the Yankee girl car, our attendant Brian was great. Very informative and a great host. I would recommend the ride, it is well with it.

My wife and I have done the blues train for the last four years, and the scenery along the usual route is worth the ride by itself. The trains are nice and all the people we've interacted with friendly. We haven't done the full run up to Silverton yet, but that is our next goal. Worth a visit if you are in the area, especially if you like old trains.

We had fun and the views were amazing. Our narrator was Mrs. Pinkerton and she did a great job!

Steam engine train through some of the most magnificent scenery in Colorado. Can't top that.

So! MUCH! FUN!! The 4 hour ride from Silverton was a little long, but beautifully scenic, and great time to chat w friends and family.

For the Second year in a row, we did the Durango Polar Express! We had such a wonderful experience (again). This has become a family tradition, so I'm pretty sure we will be back next year!

There are spectacular views impossible to see from the road. It's well worth the money and the day to see the San Juan forest from this unique and historic perspective.

So much fun. We did the polar express ride. The attendant was super cute and was great with the kids.

Didn't go in museum, but train ride to Silverton was great!

Ok this place is great if you like trains you will love this place I've been on the train multiple times and just as cool as it was the first time when I was a kid I'm 35 now I've now taken my kids on the train and will be back as soon as we can. we road the train to the north Pole this time. On the Polar express! It was awesome. The kids loved it. We had hot chocolate and a cookie. Then we got to meet the boys really liked that. I recommend this to all.

I am glad I had this experience but I will say if you have problems with allergies I recommend not getting a seat in an open car due to the cinders and smoke.

The seating is tight so be prepared to get really freindly with people you may not know.

Had a fun time on the polar express.
The kids want to come back every year.
Book early for best times and seats.

This is the best place! The museum is free, super full and great! The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.

Great atmosphere and service on the Polar Express ride.

The polar Express is a neat little ride that my son enjoys every year. Its neat to try at least once, (hopefully my son has outgrown it by next year) we've done it 8 years in a row. The characters have changed every year, and this years was not as good as past years but I just think it's just cause I've been so many times. Oh, but the cookies were the best this year than years past.

Great viewers from the train. If in an open car, wear glasses as you'll get coal in your eyes and clothes. But you get better views in an open car.

This is a great way to see some beautiful Colorado scenery that would otherwise be hard to get to. One of the few places that you can experience what it was like to ride on a coal powered steam engine train - very fun!

Fun could've of been organized better, I have useful suggestions

One of the coolest experiences I've done in my life. The photos don't do it justice.

Great place to ride a narrow gauge train, watch the trains board and depart, and visit the museum. I'm not really into trains, but this was a ton of fun. Highlights: the museum's movie and miniature train exhibit.

On the day we were there, the regular train to Silverton departed, and there was another Punkin Patch train aimed at families with young kids in costume (and adults who wanted to dress up and act like kids). They decorated the Punkin Patch train, and it left a bit later which was a good thing as the cars were all open and it was a cool morning.

The museum has a variety of exhibits including trains, painted miniature soldiers, and military weapons and uniforms. They also have a really great movie about the history of narrow gauge trains in Colorado as well as an elaborate train set that goes through mountains, towns, etc. There is so much detail in the train set that you could easily spend 45 minutes walking around the display, wondering how they made all the parts of the exhibit. It must have required thousands of hours as well as time each year to maintain it.

Hey a original steam train through the mountains does it get any better

Experience-rich ride with a historical train through very beautiful landscapes. Guaranteed the best way to travel from Durango to Silverton.

Historic railroad, but takes all day. We have small kids and took the bus up and train back. Bus ride was good.. comfortable bus, driver knowledgeable of the area and gave a narrative on the way up to Silverton (about 1.5 hrs). Silverton is a small place, county seat in a county with no other towns. Things I noticed we're that tourism replaced silver as it's major income source long ago. Have of the buildings there are restaurants and believe there are more UTVs than residents in Silverton. Spent almost two hours in town and then boarded the train and headed back to Durango at 1:45 pm. The first hour or so was interesting.. getting the feel of riding a historic train, rails next to the Animas River... then a lull set in for a bit. Then it was exciting again as the rail and river diverged vertically and there were amazing views of the river below and the tracks clinging to the side of the mountain. That passed and the train was still not halfway home. We reached Durango a little before 6pm. A little too much for the kids, and me too. Think we all took a little nap and woke up to train whistles as it crossed roads. The kids enjoyed waiving to all the people that stood mesmerized by the train passing by them. Overall, a rollercoaster of a day.

RIDER BEWARE :: mechanical issues brake failure bad brakes down hill poor maintained ::Recently we were looking for something to do when I visited Denver Colorado with my Grandson. I found the Darango to Silverton steam train and Historic Hotel. So after many attempts to make a reservation I was successful train ride to Silverton and a overnight stay at the grand Imperial . When we arrived the day of are ride the train was on the tracks ready to go but when I saw the steam locomotive I though it it looked very very poorly maintained meaning leaks every were and a coated skin of sand and dirt covering the engine and locomotive. Then I realized that this was not are 930 train but a extra train to cover for the train the day before that blew a piston the day before stranding all the passengers on the mountain that they had to send a diesel after them. Thinking nothing of it like a one time thing we got on are train. Enjoying the ride for the first few hours then another unscheduled stop for around 30min to fix a oiler along with stopping for hikers and other camping and lodging stops with awesome views we finally rolled in to Silverton. Again I took photo of are train and this locomotive also was leaking everywhere and coated with a very layer of grid everywhere. Typically you want to keep your motor clean so when a leak shows itself you know it will need serving soon. A very original western town. The room, food and people at the Grand Imperial were amazing and I would suggest eating nowhere else. Know for are ride back all good for the first hour or so then more unscheduled stops for mechanical issues. After another 45min they tell us the brake system is failing and we need to wait for the train behind us to pull us back down hill all the way which we were told they have never done before. Well after about another 90 min another dirt coated steamer train pulls along side and then all the conductors look very nervous and start running back and forth in the train carts with a giant wooded club doing something to the train cars. I over heard a older couple asks if this has ever happened before and he said no! What about the blown piston train a few days before ? I could tell they were really concerned. I think we sat there for like 2 hours. Well they had to disconnect are locomotive and connect the entire other train to Ares and headed down the mountain inches for the edge all the way remembering they have never had a train so long before. Hey if the steam train looked like they maintained their trains this brake system failure wouldn t have happen and I wouldn t have a issue. Not to say the very rugged mountain we were stopped on and uncalled for I will not be riding again till I see a maintain steamer . Dont get me wrong the God made country is like no other

Great trip, we took generation car and we were glad we did. It was nice to have somebody explain where and what you were seeing on this journey. We took the train round trip from Durango to Silverton.if I did it again I would have taken the trip one-way and the bus ride back it's a lot faster and you've already seen the scenery anyway, also it's less expensive.

First time to Durango and the Railroad on recommend of a friend.
The train was an amazing experience. I did the bus up to Silverton and back by rail. I think the full train trip might have been a bit long for my time constraints.
Our Guide, a retired Geologist from Alaska, was amazing. Her love for the train along with knowledge of features along the track was exceptional and highly informative. She really kept us entertained.
Highly recommended.

If you are in Durango you should definitely take a look at the old, historic Durango & Silverton train. Not only for train fans, it is worth taking a look at the entrance bells beforehand to see the time-honored train pulling in with its lovingly maintained steam locomotive.

This was an enjoyable adventure. The only thing that would have made it better would be sunshine. What beautiful scenery.

It's an antique steam powered train, what's not to love?

Awesome experience! Loved it. We took the the Cascade Canyon run due to the season. There is something about the history, the significance, the importance that trains once had (and still do, just in a less personal way) that makes riding an old coal fired steam engine nostalgic, educational, and romantic all at the same time. The moment you hear the steam whistle it brings a rush of excitement.
Train station is historical in itself, has all the amenities, bathrooms, coffee shop, gift shop, and adds to the expirence. Train is bumpy and goes quite slow as a result. This also allows for good photos of scenic canyon. Closed cars offered cool, but cozy travel in snowy March weather for us. An open car in the middle provided better viewing when desired. Another car provided concessions at somewhat high prices, but that helps pay for the train I suppose.
Museum is a good way to finish trip, lots of stuff in there, more than just trains. Don't miss the museum.
Will absolutely come back at some point and ride again, just in the summer.

We reserved seats in a narration car and loved our tour guide! She took on the role of Cora Mears Pitcher on 7/14 and was an amazing storyteller with so much knowledge! She told us a lot about the history of the area and train development, the geography, and the train. The views were beautiful, the train was lovely, and the staff was great. They have a snack car with a bar and have a professional photographer who will take couple and group pictures. It goes from Durango to Silverton with about an hour and a half stop to eat and shop. You can get tickets for one way or round trip.

Durango is a great place. People are friendly and food is much better then most mountain towns. There is alot to do Mess Verde is a hop skip and a jump away. Looking for lots of beautiful scenery. Ride the Durango Silveton narrow Gage railroad. Get out explore the mountains and go sking at Purgatory just 35/45 minutes away. Summertime lots of hiking mountain biking tons to do.

Lots of fun
Great train ride.

Most fun I've had in a while! Beautiful trip and we even got a little snow flurry when we got to Silverton!

This is a piece of American history which is still in use today. Rides are a little expensive but everyone ride at least once in their life time. I rode in the Pullman car at the end of the train and had a very very good time nice people terrific scenery

Old school steam power is unbeatable! Took the train up and bus back. The views and mountain scenery were great as well.

Rode 5/8/2018 with a first class ticket, last car. Sat on the right side going up and the views of the mountains and river were incredible. Trip is about 3--4 hours up to Silverton and you gain about 3000 feet in elevation. Our helper Brian was spot and and pointed out interesting things along the route. Took the bus back which is 2 hours less than the train back. Make it up to 11,000 feet on the bus with cliff side views.

Free and fantastic museum in Durango to walk around.

Awesome train trip. Great views and great stories on narration car.

I loved taking pictures in the open cart.
I love when it sprays out water, I can feel the mist

We only visited the museum as the train rides were on a shortened schedule. Nice museum and friendly volunteers to help get the most from our time there.

Great place to learn some history..both railroad and military and more

There was a lot of very interesting stuff both Train related and non train related. The only issue is that the museum seems to have no flow to it, it's kind of disorganized. For a free museum though its deffinetly worth checking out.

Let me just say that I had a blast! I did have a few very terrible experiences but I tend to block out the trauma. I loved the atmosphere and the views. Obviously I'm not from Durango so it was a real treat for me. They have an open air cart where you can stand and get a real feel for the surrounding area.

The only thing I HATED was the gigantic(25 person) family that was shoved in the same cart as us. They were very impolite and simply did not comprehend American etiquette when in public.

Look no further for an amazing trip on a train, but 8 hours travel time, with only an hour and a half downtime in Silverton, makes for a grueling, agonizingly long ride. If you choose to take this ride, I highly recommend figuring out a way to stay longer in Silverton

Awesome train ride with spectacular views. For me, one way either to or from Silverton would be enough as it does take about 3.5 hours each way. Highly recommend bringing your camera for some of the awesome views along the river.

Great stop to visit, for free. If you love, "roadside America," add this stop to your list. Gift shop with penny-squishers.

Must be the best railway station I have visited outside of the UK. The station building is very original with ticket office and gift shop. The best part is the museum on the other side of the tracks which contains trains, carriages and other memorabilia. If you can manage it have a tour of the workshops too where the trains are restored and rebuilt.

This is a reason to make the trip to Durango, by itself. A steam train with spectacular mountain views, running up the Animas canyon to Silverton! Don't miss the train museum, and if you have young children check out the special trains like Polar Express and Dinosaur. It will also drop you off and pick you up at the Chicago Basin for a world class day hike if you want. It is very expensive however.

Caveats and tips: 1. Ride one way and then swap cars with someone who drives to Silverton (or take the bus back), so you only need to ride one way because it is a LONG TRIP. 2. Dress for the mountain weather which can be very hot or cold even on the train. 3. The train breaks down sometimes so be prepared to arrive late- sometimes hours late. 4. Soot comes out of a coal train, so take care if you have breathing problems. 5. I would not take small children on the one way or round trip trip to Silverton due to the length; stick to the children's trains. 6. Many seats are wood so you might want to bring a cushion.

I really enjoyed the history of the trains. I have wanted to ride the Durango & Silverton for years. It was the experience of a lifetime.

What a spectacular experience ! The fall colors were awesome and the narrations going to and coming from Silverton were great!

I was sad because I could not do the train ride to Silverton. Besides what, dear (to our poor real)

BUCKET LIST MUST DO IN COLORADO!
Note: this train is still steam and is now oil burning instead of wildfire causing coal and more efficient!

Museum is donation supported so is a affordable thing to do before going on the train. I suggest a guide book that is mile by mile so the traveler can know what to look for and a great keepsake.

The train ride was nice and the scenery was beautiful. The train company should really reconsider their snowmobile partners for the adventure packages. The Silverton Ice Pirates company didn't even bother to show up and after speaking to them they gave a BS excuse about a flat tire. Takes twenty minutes to change a tire but our whole three hour excursion gets cancelled?!! Oh, and they held up the entire train for over 30 minutes while we waited for them to show at the pick-up. Really enjoyed the dirty looks from the other passengers as we had to walk back to our seats.

What an awesome, well preserved train museum! I loved every minute of it!

This is a awesome way to spend the day and to relive the history of riding the rails that were laid in the 1800's. I do it once or twice a year. There is the regular trips in the Summer but lots of special events that really pull me back every year.

What a gem of a historic piece of the American West. Durango and the D and S train are well worth the stop. Book the first class car, totally worth it. If you get Heather as your guide and car attendant she is full of cool little historic stuff about the train. Ask about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid!!!

Took the Shamrock Express. What a riot! We loved every moment we spent on this historical train. The hike at cascade was really lovely. We wish we had known that they had a fire burning in the pavillion. Sad we missed it. My memories will last a lifetime! Couldn't have been more impressed!

Excellent ride but a bit nervous about it starting wildfires. (We rode it the day before the wildfire last May)

Fun little eclectic museum! We didn't ride the train, but it is on our list for next time we visit. A lot of the trains are still in operation from the 1920s which is super cool. And it sounds like every trip there is a little different with items changing out weekly. Different engines are stored in the museum at different times causing things to shift and change constantly.