The Durango/Silverton Train

Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers.

The line was constructed to haul silver & gold ore from Southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, but passengers soon realized it was the view that was truly precious.

This historic train has been in continuous operation between Durango and Silverton since 1882, carrying passengers behind historic steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock indigenous to the line. It is a family-friendly ride sure to create memories that will last a lifetime while offering a view of Colorado’s

mountain splendor inaccessible by highway.

Relive the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a spectacular journey on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

More to add:

In 1972: The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic began; it is the longest continuously run cycling event in the U.S. Road bikers race the Durango-Silverton Train to Silverton on the Memorial Day weekend.

In 1979: John Wolgamott and Durango native Jerry Zink (brother of Ed Zink) formed StoneAge, a Durango-based waterjet business that designs and manufactures high-pressure water-assisted drilling and cleaning equipment that is sold worldwide, for drilling through rock, clearing and cleaning pipe lines in the oil and natural gas fields, removing dried cement from the inside of pipe, cleaning 19th century train locomotives at the downtown Durango train depot, etc.

In 1981: Charles Bradshaw of Orlando, Florida purchased the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which attracted countless numbers of tourists to Durango in the subsequent years.