Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge

Ride to Silverton

Hermosa, Co / May 2023 / RWH

Twenty miles per hour
Feels different on the rails

Here this small speed feels enormous
As grand as every hill

Hills that turn to mountains
The peaks climb ever high

The scenery may entrance you
But these tracks won’t ever lie

Steel lines click and clack
Our gondola gently sways

Pulled by a 100 year old engine
That will take us all the way

To Silverton, which waits for us
At the end of the line

A town of grandeur and of grit
Where we will surely dine

With train in black and steam in white
Blue skies and yellow cars

We passengers look on with awe
In hats and billowing scarves

A meager 20 here today
May not impress them all

But any speed will suffice
To hear a whistle’s mighty call

Eleanor Temple Hawkins, 2023

collection

James Mann watercolor print / collection

from Cinders & Smoke: A Guide to the D&SNRG
by Doris Osterwald - 1986 / collection

dsng_logo2 typewriter he equipment used to pull the train consists of 100% coal-fired, steam-operated locomotives. These authentic locomotives were manufactured by the American Locomotive Works in 1923, or Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1902 and 1925. The 1902 locomotives were built as standard gauge and were narrow-gauged in 1930. All of these locomotives were originally manufactured for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. The coaches are of the 1880 type ... many of them being built in the 1880s. Also available are open gondola cars.

The train travels through the remote wilderness area, part of the 2,000,000 acre San Juan National Forest, following the Animas River to Silverton. This area is only accessible by Railroad, horse-back, or foot. The train serves Tall Timber Resort as well as additional flag stops at Needleton and Elk Park (for backpackers, fishermen and hikers to get on or off the train). The train also stops twice northbound for water and once returning to Durango. On occasion, the train also stops en route to or from Silverton to load or unload freight at various points along the route.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad / 1990