Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Ride

 Colorado by Auto Trek  Comments Off on Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Ride
Jul 202013
 

An easy and beautiful drive from Dillon to Durango punctuated only by a late afternoon downpour that scoured the countryside and the sky leaving every pine needle and aspen leaf sparkling. We arrived in plenty of time to explore Durango, find our way to the rail station in preparation for an early morning boarding and have a delicious meal in a great restaurant. Seasons, recommended by Kerri’s connoisseur friend Vickie, was wonderful as well as beautiful and popular with locals and tourists alike–definitely a destination.

Our narrow gauge train ride began early. We were seated in the caboose, a luxury car restored with period fixtures and salon furnishings. Other car passengers were less cosseted. Young families and hikers rode in open air freight cars with benches or simple passenger cars. Yet all were fun and festive. The entire ride up and back was amazingly varied and gorgeous.

Our arrival in Silverton was also our lunch break and the town was glad to see the train pull in and fill up local restaurants. Silverton is also accessible by highway and,  during the winter,  is popular as a ski and snowboard mecca promoted in part by the famous young Olympic snowboarder Shawn White. (For a great winter view of Silverton AND a thrill watching Shown White click on the linked U-tube video clip). The train only runs from May to mid-October when snow flurries begin and it is too hazardous.

We arrived back in Durango tired but savoring every moment of a fun filled adventure and all the glorious scenery we had seen.

We left Durango early the next morning and dropped down into the Canyonlands of Utah.

Durango Historic Hotel

Durango Historic Hotel

Silverton Main Street Walk After Lunch

Silverton Main Street Walk After Lunch

Ready to be Back in Durango

Ready to be Back in Durango

One of Two Stops for Water

One of Two Stops for Water

Railbed is at the Edge of Deep Canyons

Railbed is at the Edge of Deep Canyons

Rails run Right Alongside the River

Rails run Right Alongside the River

One of Many of the Old Mines

One of Many of the Old Mines

Our Political Pose

Our Political Pose

And Still Chugging Along!!

And Still Chugging Along!!

Building Steam to Pull Out of Silverton

Building Steam to Pull Out of Silverton

More Silverton Mainstreet

More Silverton Mainstreet

Seat of Government

Seat of Government

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Silverton Mainstreet

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Toast to a Great Day

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After Lunch Mainstreet Stroll

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Checking the Rails

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Silverton’s Bustling Mainstreet

All Ready Covered Track

All Ready Covered Track

Off Our End View

Off Our End View

Robert Ready to Roll

Robert Ready to Roll

Outside Our Caboose Luxury Car

Outside Our Caboose Luxury Car

Ready to Go

Ready to Go

Our Caboose Had the BEST View

Our Caboose Had the BEST View

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Building the Necessary “Head of Steam”

Morning Sunlight

Morning Sunlight

All Aboard

All Aboard

Awaiting "All Aboard" Call

Awaiting “All Aboard” Call

Durango-Silverton Railroad Station

Durango-Silverton Railroad Station

Incredible Views at Every Twist and Turn

Incredible Views at Every Twist and Turn

Silverton Across the Main Street

Silverton Across the Main Street

Seat of Government

Seat of Government

Merchandise SURPRISE!

Merchandise SURPRISE!