Born in the farm country of southern illinois and earning a finance postgraduate at university of missouri in st. This journey is a feast for the senses and a treat for anyone who loves history and. Throughout the summer, excursion trains pulled by beautifully restored old steam engines wend their way through mountain canyons and along tumbling rivers to the old mining town of silverton, high in colorados rockies. Within less than a year, workers managed to lay track all the way to silverton, an almost unfathomable feat accomplished largely by the quest for gold and silver up in the mountains. Durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad and museum 2020. This is a truly iconic experience in the southwest of the state, and one of the ways to feel the full grandeur of the san juan mountains. Book now at 23 restaurants near durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad and museum on opentable. Join left coast rail videos for a two part program as we take you on board and trackside with the durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad. Mar 07, 2017 the durango silverton narrow gauge railroad completes any trip to southwest colorado. An american classic features original photography that visually captures one. Durango silverton narrow gauge railroad these are the.
The passes for the silverton railroad in 1888 were printed on buckskin, in 1889 were of stamped silver, and the 1890 passes were watch fobs. Durango silverton narrow gauge railroad these are the old. Durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad and museum. Listen to live music and enjoy a westernstyle barbecue during the cowboy poetry train.
Combine a scenic train ride with an exhilarating zip line adventure or whitewater rafting trip. Book your 2019 polar express reservations today return. None were issued in 1891, but the 1892 passes good on both mears silverton and rio grande southern railroads were of silver filigree, and three were made of gold. Resurgent ridership on the historic railroad facilitated its. Yes, these were the boomtown days of mining and during that time this narrow gauge railroad between durango and silverton played a pivotal role. Many locals told me the mustdo activity in durango is riding the durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad train. The silverton railroad, now defunct, was an american 3 ft 914 mm narrow gauge railroad constructed between silverton, colorado and mining districts near red mountain pass, colorado the silverton railroad is remembered for the innovative solutions to difficult engineering problems presented by the steep, mountainous terrain which were devised by the railroads chief locating engineer. Travel by coal burning, steampowered locomotive on the same tracks miners, cowboys and settlers of the old west took over a century ago.
It was then used as an important mode of transport between the silver and gold mining ores in the san juan mountains and. Coalfired, steampowered trains carry passengers through the majestic mountains of the san juan national forest from durango to silverton. The durango and silverton narrow gauge museum sits at the back of the railyard with exhibits describing the history of the town and the railway. Why you should hop aboard the durango and silverton narrow.
Durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad wikipedia. Aug 16, 2012 this train follows the actual route and grade laid down to service the mining town of silverton. Meet the people who still work on the railroad, the. By july of 1882, the tracks to silverton were completed, and. Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Choose your favorite durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad photographs from millions of available designs. Experience the adventure of traveling by a historic coalfired, steampowered locomotive on the same tracks miners, cowboys and settlers of. Palmer, engineer and head of the denver and rio grande railroad. We were warned to wear glasses or at least sunglasses as the. Durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad, united states. An american classic features original photography that visually captures one of the worlds premiere railroads in all its grandeur. To explore morerecent colorado history, hop on the shuttle to take the. Take an historic narrowgauge railroad theres only one way to make this journeyby narrow gauge railroad, pulled by a vintage steam locomotive. Durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad news newspapers books scholar jstor january 2018 learn how and when to.
For decades, the line hauled ore from silverton down to durango, but after world war ii its business shifted to tourism. The tracks of the san juan extension are narrow gauge. These tracks are three feet apart compared to the standard gauge distance of 4 8. I couldnt believe the amazing views around every turn. Ive never ridden a real, oldfashioned train before. Train owner sues 2 former employees durango herald. This historic steam railroad has been in continuous operation since 1881.
The railway is a federally designated national historic landmark and is also designated by the american society of civil engineers as a historic civil engineering. Jul 15, 2014 al harper, railroad owner born in the farm country of southern illinois and earning a finance postgraduate at university of missouri in st. Ride a historic steam engine train through the mountains and canyons near durango and silverton in southwestern colorado. The railway is a federally designated national historic landmark and is also designated by the american society of civil engineers as a. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite reads in more. Oct 27, 2016 join left coast rail videos for a two part program as we take you on board and trackside with the durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad. The durango silverton narrow gauge railroad completes any trip to southwest colorado.
Relive history with the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a truly spectacular journey through the animas. The 45 mile durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad has been in existence since 1881. Durango is about 6500 feet above sea level and the train climbs to silverton which is almost 9500 feet above sea level. The railway is a federally designated national historic landmark and is also designated by the american society of civil engineers as a historic civil engineering landmark. Durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad photographs. Meet the people who still work on the railroad, the vintage. It takes 312 hours to travel the 45miles from durango to silverton. All durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad photographs ship within 48 hours and include a 30day moneyback guarantee. The railroad arrived in durango on august 5, 1881 and construction on the line to silverton began in the fall of the same year. All durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad posters are produced ondemand using archival inks, ship within 48 hours, and include a 30day moneyback guarantee. The narrow gauge san juan extension was envisioned by general william j. Durango was built as a railroad town and hub for the denver and rio grande railroad in 1881, and a narrow gauge track was built in 1882 along the animas river from durango to silverton, a distance of 45.
Historic attractions include the original strater hotel, built in 1887, and the durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad, which still carries passengers between the two towns along the animas river. It continues to be a major tourist attraction in southwest colorado and has been named both. This is a truly iconic experience in the southwest of the state, and one of the ways to. Customize your durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad poster with hundreds of different frame. Durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad posters fine. Mar 21, 2020 durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad and museum. Book the guided atv ride for an allterrain adventure through the dramatic.
The durango silverton train winds through spectacular, breathtaking canyons in the remote wilderness of the two million acres san juan national forest. By july of 1882, the tracks to silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers. The durango silverton narrow gauge railroad is an experience like none other. Buy durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad posters designed by millions of artists and iconic brands from all over the world. Durango silverton narrow gauge railroad has some wonderful. Durango was built as a railroad town and hub for the denver and rio grande railroad in 1881, and a narrow gauge track was built in 1882 along the animas river from durango to silverton, a. This train follows the actual route and grade laid down to service the mining town of silverton.
This historic train route has been in operation for over years. Durango and silverton narrow gauge railroad and museum in. Soaring 200 feet above the river valley along the canyon wall, its an amazing view. Feb 18, 2012 durango silverton narrow gauge railroad these are the old train engines that were used during the mining days in colorado. There is nothing like a train trip, except a scenic fall train trip in october for your birthday. Take an historic narrow gauge railroad theres only one way to make this journeyby narrow gauge railroad, pulled by a vintage steam locomotive.
682 763 37 908 1055 351 813 141 319 1040 1372 1400 843 658 1194 1095 1142 213 3 163 143 1124 100 1550 448 294 1415 138 504 802 1277 1229 1212 1223 276 1235 155 271 25