Durango, CO
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-14- TypeHistoric three-foot-gauge mountain railroad with steam and diesel excursions between Durango, Silverton, and Cascade Canyon
- LocationDurango, CO
- Rating4.8 ★7,594 Google reviews
About Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates three-foot-gauge passenger trains on the surviving mountain line built by the Denver & Rio Grande between Durango and Silverton in 1881–82. Its signature summer journey covers about 45.4 rail miles each way through the Animas River canyon, with a published 9.25-hour round-trip day and roughly two hours in Silverton. That is only one product: the Silverton Express combines a motorcoach ride to Silverton with a one-way train return, the winter Cascade Canyon train turns in the wilderness instead of reaching Silverton, and licensed or special-event trips have their own duration, route, age rules, and cancellation terms. The active fleet includes 1920s narrow-gauge steam locomotives now converted to oil firing as well as diesel locomotives, so visitors should not treat every departure as a steam guarantee. Book the exact date and class first, confirm the departure address, then build the rest of the trip around the itinerary printed on the reservation.
Choose the Journey Before the Car
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time riders, rail enthusiasts, photographers, families prepared for a long day, and visitors prioritizing the complete route
Ride the full Durango–Silverton round trip
Choose the signature all-day steam product for both directions through the Animas canyon and a roughly two-hour independent layover in Silverton.
Visitors with limited time, travelers wanting one rail direction, and people who prefer not to repeat the route
Shorten the day with the Silverton Express
Ride a motorcoach from Durango to Silverton, then take the afternoon train back through the canyon instead of spending nine hours on a rail round trip.
Winter visitors, families, photographers, and travelers wanting a shorter cold-season mountain journey
Take the winter train to Cascade Canyon
Use the season-specific 5.25-hour wilderness itinerary with a Cascade layover, recognizing that this train does not reach Silverton.
Ticketed passengers with extra time, non-riders, families, equipment researchers, and rainy-day visitors
Start with the free railroad museum
Walk to the back of the Durango yard for 12,000 square feet of locomotives, vehicles, artifacts, and model railroading in the rebuilt roundhouse.
Repeat riders, holiday travelers, event-focused families, and railfans seeking a limited-date product
Match a special event to its exact rules
Compare Galloping Goose, Cowboy Poetry, Polar Express, behind-the-scenes, and other dated listings without carrying route, price, or cancellation assumptions from one product to another.
Upcoming Events
Complete official date check
2026–27 special-event calendar
The official now-booking catalog was reconciled with the full ride, Silverton Express, Cascade Canyon, Galloping Goose, Cowboy Poetry, Polar Express, museum, coach, route, and FAQ pages on August 14. Published ranges are labeled as ranges or select inventory rather than converted into invented daily times. Past 2026 diesel and summer products are omitted. The owner's rolling freshness update is paused; re-run this operator's source adapter once during the synchronized end-of-cohort release gate. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- ArriveBoarding commonly begins about 15 minutes before departure, and confirmation guidance requires passengers to be seated at least 10 minutes before departure. Allow more time for parking, ticket questions, accessibility boarding, and a long train
- ParkingThe official parking lot is at 209 W College Drive, beside the rail yard at U.S. 550 and College Drive. Do not use the depot street address as a parking promise
- AccessibilityThere is one wheelchair-accessible coach in the fleet with a lift and accessible restroom. It is scheduled on the summer Silverton and winter Cascade trains but is not guaranteed without advance telephone booking
- RestroomsEnclosed standard coaches have restrooms; premium cars have class-restricted restrooms. Open-air equipment and special consists can differ, so select the car based on the live class description
- DeparturePrimary passenger depot: 479 Main Avenue, Durango. The Silverton Express starts with a motorcoach from Durango; the winter Cascade Canyon train and licensed events use their own published instructions. Follow the dated ticket
- Summer Round TripAbout 45.4 rail miles each way, roughly 9.25 hours total, with approximately two hours in Silverton. The train takes about 3.5 hours each way at a published top speed of 18 mph
- Silverton ExpressA shorter 5.5-hour product using a noon motorcoach from Durango, a 2 p.m. train from Silverton, and a return to Durango around 5:30 p.m. on the published 2026 pattern
- Winter RouteThe Cascade Canyon Winter Train is a 5.25-hour, 26-mile-each-way trip with a roughly one-hour wilderness layover; it does not reach Silverton
- Weather AltitudeDurango is about 6,512 feet and Silverton about 9,305 feet. The operator advises layers, sturdy closed-toe shoes, sun protection, water, and planning for Silverton to be roughly 10°F cooler
- SeatingSeats are assigned for the trip. Passengers may visit the concession car and applicable restrooms after ticket collection but should not treat another car as open seating
- FoodThe Durango depot has the Caboose Coffee Shop, and trains normally carry a concession car. Personal alcohol is prohibited; alcohol sales and access depend on car and age rules
- ContactCall 970-247-2733 or 888-872-4607 for reservations, accessibility, changes, or itinerary questions. Special handling is published at 970-385-8832
Find the Depot
The Trains
The active narrow-gauge steam fleet includes K-28 locomotives Nos. 473, 476, and 478 and K-36 locomotives Nos. 480, 481, 482, and 486. The operator says the locomotives used in daily service date from 1923 and 1925 and that all steam locomotives were converted to oil firing by 2024. Diesel locomotives are also used for passenger trains, switching, maintenance, fire prevention, and emergency work; a dated listing may specifically sell steam or diesel service. Standard Coach, open-air Gondola, Deluxe, First Class, Presidential, and adults-only products appear in the service catalog, but not every car operates on every train. Historic construction means accessibility depends on the single lift-equipped coach with an accessible restroom, and that car must be requested by phone in advance. The gallery identifies the date and context of each image rather than implying the pictured locomotive, car, or paint scheme is guaranteed.
History
The Denver & Rio Grande reached Durango on August 5 and began building north toward Silverton that November.
The railroad completed the Silverton line in July and began carrying passengers, freight, and ore through the Animas canyon.
The Durango–Silverton line received National Historic Landmark recognition during the 1960s preservation era.
Charles E. Bradshaw Jr. purchased the line, established the Durango & Silverton identity, and expanded excursion service.
A fire destroyed the Durango roundhouse; the replacement 15-stall roundhouse later supplied eight stalls for the railroad museum.
American Heritage Railways became the owner and operator of the railroad.
The operator reported completion of its steam fleet's conversion from coal to oil firing.
See full history
The Denver & Rio Grande reached the new railroad town of Durango on August 5, 1881, then completed the narrow-gauge line north to Silverton in July 1882 to serve mining country while carrying both freight and passengers. The mountain corridor survived the broad abandonment of the railroad's surrounding narrow-gauge network and was recognized as a National Historic Landmark and National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in the 1960s. Charles E. Bradshaw Jr. purchased the Durango–Silverton line from the Denver & Rio Grande Western in 1981, renamed it, and expanded the tourist operation; K-36 No. 481 returned to service during that revival. American Heritage Railways has owned and operated the railroad since 1998. The 1989 Durango roundhouse fire destroyed the working roundhouse, after which a larger 15-stall building was constructed; eight stalls now house a free 12,000-square-foot museum. Today the same three-foot-gauge mountain route supports regular public excursions, seasonal service, wilderness access, preservation, and a living collection of steam, diesel, rolling stock, depots, and shop practices.
Around the Depot
This is a route ecosystem, not a generic Durango directory. The free D&SNG Railroad Museum ranks first because it is on the operator property and adds real locomotive, artifact, and roundhouse context. Historic Downtown Durango begins immediately beyond the depot and supplies walkable independent food, lodging, shops, and visitor help. Silverton ranks as a train-first destination despite its physical distance because it is the signature route's two-hour layover and terminus. Each card opens a substantial source-backed page with public contact details, practical timing, and a licensed gallery. Sponsorship cannot outrank rail relevance, verified facts, or trip usefulness.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Compare the attraction location with your airport or lodging before deciding whether a rental car fits the trip.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Durango
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Durango & Silverton train use steam?
No. The railroad operates steam and diesel locomotives. Book a product specifically described as steam if that matters, then recheck the dated reservation because equipment can respond to operating conditions.
How long is the full Durango–Silverton trip?
The current visitor page describes about 9.25 hours for the round trip, including roughly two hours in Silverton. The rail distance is about 45.4 miles each way.
Where should I park?
Use the official railroad lot at 209 W College Drive. The passenger depot is at 479 Main Avenue, so the boarding and parking addresses are not interchangeable.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
One coach has a lift and wheelchair-accessible restroom. It is scheduled on the summer Silverton and winter Cascade trains, but there is only one in the fleet; call 970-247-2733 before booking.
Does the winter train go to Silverton?
No. The Cascade Canyon Winter Train runs about 26 miles each way from Durango and turns at Cascade Canyon after a published one-hour layover.
Can I ride one way?
Yes, the operator publishes train-and-motorcoach options and allows separately arranged onward travel, but the reserved-seat rail fare may still equal the round-trip fare. Use the exact one-way product rather than abandoning a round-trip itinerary informally.
Is the D&SNG Railroad Museum included?
The Durango roundhouse museum is published as free. Its hours vary by season and operating day, so check the current museum page rather than assuming the train-departure window is the museum schedule.
What should I wear?
The operator recommends sturdy closed-toe, closed-heel shoes, layers, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and preparation for rapid mountain-weather changes and nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 14, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official current booking catalog
- Official ride and full route guide
- Official route geography
- Official passenger FAQ
- Official coach and accessibility details
- Official Silverton Express
- Official Cascade Canyon Winter Train
- Official railroad museum
- Official railroad history
- Official Galloping Goose event
- Official Cowboy Poetry event
- Official Polar Express event