Silverton is a great picturesque town too ... The Scenery along this route and in the entire area is just plan fantastic!!!
The period passenger cars are exactly as they were in the late 1800's, they have a snack car, open and closed cars ... the open cars are a little less than the closed cars. They have only one Parlor Car for 1st class travel ... this one you must book way ahead as it seats only a few people. The engineers, brakeman, staff and most of the conductors were really friendly and helpful ... For some reason Rich, the Chief Conductor, was having a bad day ... but then again ... we all have those. (grin)
In Durango we stayed at the 1930's Strater Hotel .. but it is very old, small beds and rooms ... tiny elevator ... very steep and narrow stairs .. feels clostrophobic and like a fire trap ..... But it does have a full sprinkler system and I'm sure it is safe .... Other than that it is a great place to stay ... Oh ... and watch the steep cement steps out front.
Even a Narrow gauge has a huge set of wheels!
This is our friend and historian Gene Richardson ... Gene gives tours and works at the museum
This is the boss's private car .. it can be rented for $10,000 per day.
It takes 17 passengers .. cost can be split up (still kinda steep huh? grin)
Becky and Gene in the museum
This is shot off their official brochure ... This train runs in the winter too
I still goes about 2/3rds of the way before snow is a problem.