Durango to Silverton Train

September 24, 2025

Wednesday August 23, we did a touristy thing.

We took an historic, steam powered narrow-gauge train from Durango Co to Silverton Co (an old mining town). Laura reserved seats in the open air gondola section. We had a roof and walls, but no windows so we could see everything going by.

While it took all day with the 3.5 hour train ride up, hanging out in town for a couple of hours, then a 1.5 hour bus ride back to Durango, it was totally worth it. Not only was the whole ride one scenic “wow” after another, it was an historic and unique experience riding the train through the San Juan Mountains. We followed the Animas river and it had breathtaking views of the river canyon and the wilderness of the San Juan mountains. I stood most of the train ride and took way too many pictures.

The train and railroad is also an historic landmark. It is a federally designated National Historic Landmark, operating continuously since 1882.

I hope you enjoy the pictures!

While waiting for the train I captured this picture of a hang glider above the mountains.

We took a bunch of train stations pictures.

But we were soon on our way and heading out of town.

Past streams and lakes

Around curves and heading up the canyon (I told you I was going to take pictures of Laura taking pictures).

And climbing higher

And even higher!!!

As we headed up the mountains, there gradually weren’t as steep of drops to the water and we eventually drew even with the river as we headed to Silverton.

We had to stop 2x for water for the cooling of the engine. Again, Bob contemplates life! 😎

We pull into the Silverton train station. It was very quaint with less than 700 permanent residents. The buildings almost seemed frozen in time. For me, lunch was fun, shopping was okay, and the views were spectacular.

And of course there were silly touristy things as seen in the silly grave stone that reads “RIP, I told you I was ill”, and the man wandering around dressed up as a miner.