About The Train and The Ride
When my good friend says “hey, I want to ride this train up in Durango so I booked us some seats” you say yes! I had no idea what it was or what I was getting into. Easter Sunday came and off we drove from Pagosa Springs to Durango.
Now let me tell you a little bit of what I learned about this train ride. Apparently it’s famous, and it’s one of the most scenic tours. This train, railroad, and the station are all national historic landmarks. A quick history search which can be found Here says the town of Durango was established by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway which arrived in Durango in the late summer of 1881. The train was used to haul passengers and freight. To visit the main page go to DurangoTrain.com
The main engines are coal fired steam and all of the rail cars are restored antiques, each with their own stories.
The page goes on to tell how it came to be what it is now. I also learned there is more than one train used for these excursions. There is also a museum and restoration/maintenance facility for the cars right on sight. Rail services include multiple types of rides with different destinations depending on your interests. Prices are reasonable. Seats are available in economy and first class. We took first class on the Alamosa car and it was truly a memorable ride.
Train Ride Half Way Point
At the Cascade Wye we stopped for lunch. There was a scenic little picnic area to relax. This was also the place to take photos of the train, and go exploring for a bit. We found an old bridge.
The views from the bridge were breathtaking. The whole trip was actually. The train tracks hug the canyon wall with a sheer drop off to one side of the train. This allowed spectacular views and lots of photo opportunities.
The Way Back To The Station
On the way back to the station, I tagged along with another couple that wanted to walk the inside of the train cars. I’m so glad I did. We made it all the way up to the first car. Here are some photos I took along the way.
up towards the engine.
Here are some shots from around Durango and the station. I stayed and had lunch at a little taco place that was a whole other story. I would definitely take another ride and I hope to do this again someday.
Thanks for reading!
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