Riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train Narrow gauge rails are three feet (36 inches) apart, while standard gauge rails are four feet, 8 1/2 inches (56 1/2 inches)
When we had originally booked our group Rails & Trails Excursion, there weren't enough seats available in the 1st Class Train Coach (24 seats) which left some of our group in an gondola (open) car - not really fair and certainly undesirable unless you like smoke and suet
So Doug had them add another closed coach to the train; of course we had to guarantee that all 16 seats would be purchased - this coach would be added on the tail-end of the train. This coach is only available by special request or for special events
It was originally built in 1880 and having undergone several rebuilds over the next 134 years, this coach debuted in 2014 as the "Yankee Girl", named after the largest mine in the Red Mountain Mining District north of Silverton, Colorado.
This coach was complete with an attendant serving beverages of your choice (alcoholic was available but not free like the others. All enclosed coaches have restrooms)
It was built in 1878; the Nomad was originally named Fairplay. It is reportedly the favorite car of D&RG president William Jackson Palmer. The Fairplay has hosted Presidents William H Taft, Ulysses S Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. While being owned by several parties between 1951–1982 the Fairplay was renamed the Nomad. It was acquired by the D&S in 1982. Today it is the oldest private railroad coach still in service in the United States.
This coach was complete with an attendant serving beverages of your choice (alcoholic was available but not free like the others. This specific coach had a private restroom, parlor room, amazing oil lighting and even had a couple of overhead beds.
Robert found the sink in the parlor room. In has hot & cold water; it folds out off the wall and dumps the sink contents when you fold it back up
our group was able to walk between these coaches to share in the experiences of both coaches
or you could stand between them and watch the coach movement
experience it in motion
;
we past by a couple of old silver mines on the 45 mile train ride - which takes 3-1/2 hours.
There is one section of the ride that the train has to slow down to 5 miles an hour due to curves and cliffs
we crossed the river on low bridges
and on bridges much higher above the river
the rail runs along side the Animas River - very popular for rafters (another adventure trip they offer)
experience the train in motion
;
we passed a few waterfalls along the route
we stopped once to fill up with water - this steam locomotive uses a lot of it for the trip
For a round trip from Durango to Silverton a fireman shovels about six tons of coal per day! On a round trip, ten thousand gallons of water are used to produce the steam to power the locomotive!
at times, the train is VERY CLOSE to some rock walls - don't stick your arm out for sure
sometimes, you just had to get down lower to get the photo you wanted
at the Rockwood Station (remote from vehicle transportation) we picked up a group of rafters that were returning to Durango
this was also where they kept some old rail cars; which they use for parts when needed
The Nomad (back coach) on the train makes it very popular - since it has a large outdoor seating area
experience it in motion
;
at times, the train was high above the river and what some considered to be very close to the cliff edge
the patrol following the train making sure there aren't any fires started. Motorized now instead of human powered like the original handcar
the views thru the windows were amazing as you swayed back and forth in the coach
we passed a lake picturesque lake as we came closer to Durango
Back at the Train Station in Durango
D&SNG gave each couple some parting gifts - tote bag and two mugs w/D&SNG engraved into them
The Group Photo from the D&SNG employee at a cost of $30
Taken with Doug's Nikon camera (same photographer)
Our Evening Plans
The trains were being cleaned, readied for tomorrow's guests and then put away for the night
Back at the General Palmer everyone had time to freshen up and to explore Durango on their own tonight, including dinner
awesome but tiring day but we would for sure do it again
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Last Updated: 7-18-16 .
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