Train Ride

Exit78 Photo of the Day #28

After visiting Silverton on a beautiful autumn day in 2015, we decided to do the round trip train excursion from between Durango and Silverton the next day.  The aspens were pretty much at the peak of fall color and, with the train, make for quite a picturesque image.

A day trip on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado, September 28, 2015 (Pentax K-r)

A day trip on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado, September 28, 2015 (Pentax K-r)

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1879. 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 vintage steam 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.


Series notes:

  • The photos in this series are randomly selected from a batch of photos specifically “curated” for Exit78 Photo of the Day.
  • Each photo in this series is an “original work” – a copyright term – of Michael Goad.
american history, autumn, colorado, exit78 photo of the day, forests, landscape, mountains, photography, train, transportation

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Rummuser Mar 8, 2018 Link

    I didn’t know that you had narrow gauge railways in the USA. Are they many and where are they mostly used?

    • Mike Mar 8, 2018 Link

      They are few and far between, mostly relics of bygone days. Virtually all that I know of are local excursion trains like this one.
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