Customer Reviews

Rails Around Durango (CO) (Images of Rail)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the best tourist activities I can think of ... No, make that two of the best tourist activities I can think of are riding the Durango and Silverton narrow gage north of Durango, Colorado.

In the summertime the train goes all the way to Silverton. It stops there for a couple of hours and you walk around the quaint little town, probably buying an ice cream or a piece of home made pie. The ride is up the Animas canyon, and a beautiful ride it is.

In the summertime the train only goes about half way, where it turns around at a wye. You get out there and go to a shed where's there's a blazing fire and free hot drinks. On the way back, as the sun goes down one of the trainmen comes through lighting a kerosene lantern at each end of the coach. It's the crowning moment of a glorious day.

Before you go, read this book. It has about 200 pictures of the narrow gage railroads around Durango. It goes back into the history (all in all there were about 2,000 miles of narrow gage track.) but it also covers the Durango and Silverton and its transition from hauling freight to the miles in Silverton and elsewhere to tourist railway. Splendid book.

One last comment, while in Durango stay at the STRATER HOTEL. It's of the same vintage as the train and the food is supurb.

I have no financial interests in either the railway or the hotel, I just had a great time there.