| DURANGO SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD AUGUST 2010 |
| CLICK THE LINKS BELOW FOR INFO ON THE DURANGO/SILVERTON PLACES WE VISITED |
Having already ridden the Cumbres and Toltec railroad in Chama, New Mexico on several occasions, I knew basically what to expect of the scenic
railroad trip on the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, but once on the excursion the scenery was fabulous. Reservations in the high end
parlor car provides a wonderful experience with a knowledgeable hostess detailing the sights seen along the route. The mountainous terrain of
this railroad route makes one pause when realizing that historically these trains rain did not have the luxury of operating during the high tourist
season, but had to operate carrying goods and people during the harshest of winters. Following the Animas River the entire route, the 360
degree views are spectacular and this photo-bug could not stop taking pictures. (Thank goodness for digital cameras, at least now it does not
cost a fortune for me to go on these adventures). Being in the parlor car, which is the last car on the train, offers a great opportunity to
photograph off each side of the train as well as the rear. The only option unavailable for viewing is the front, which is reserved for the engineer.
The train pulls into the historic town of Silverton, where passengers may disembark and eat and shop at the many establishments that exist
primarily because of the tourist the trains bring in everyday. We ate at Handlbars Food and Saloon and it was excellent. Very crowded!, Not being
shoppers, we wandered around a bit and picked up the customary refrigerator magnet and a music CD. We then parked ourselves on a park
bench near where the train would board for the return trip to Durango. There were other things to do in Silverton, you could take a horse drawn
carriage ride around the town, and several people hiked a bit out of town to the cemetery or near some of the mill tailings piles. I thought it
would be neat to stay in Silverton for a few days, to really be able to explore the area.
railroad trip on the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, but once on the excursion the scenery was fabulous. Reservations in the high end
parlor car provides a wonderful experience with a knowledgeable hostess detailing the sights seen along the route. The mountainous terrain of
this railroad route makes one pause when realizing that historically these trains rain did not have the luxury of operating during the high tourist
season, but had to operate carrying goods and people during the harshest of winters. Following the Animas River the entire route, the 360
degree views are spectacular and this photo-bug could not stop taking pictures. (Thank goodness for digital cameras, at least now it does not
cost a fortune for me to go on these adventures). Being in the parlor car, which is the last car on the train, offers a great opportunity to
photograph off each side of the train as well as the rear. The only option unavailable for viewing is the front, which is reserved for the engineer.
The train pulls into the historic town of Silverton, where passengers may disembark and eat and shop at the many establishments that exist
primarily because of the tourist the trains bring in everyday. We ate at Handlbars Food and Saloon and it was excellent. Very crowded!, Not being
shoppers, we wandered around a bit and picked up the customary refrigerator magnet and a music CD. We then parked ourselves on a park
bench near where the train would board for the return trip to Durango. There were other things to do in Silverton, you could take a horse drawn
carriage ride around the town, and several people hiked a bit out of town to the cemetery or near some of the mill tailings piles. I thought it
would be neat to stay in Silverton for a few days, to really be able to explore the area.