The train is narrow gauge and runs from Durango to Silverton and back. I would only take it to Silverton and then take bus back [it is an option offered when you make reservation online]. It takes a long time to get back; I would make better use of the time saved via the bus.

Deb

Again, thank you all for imput, we are doing lots of homework (got some books from library) plus looking into all things you mention.

Starting with our 1st night is there much to choose between Golden and Boulder as i have seen accom in both that would suit.

we will be arriving from Chicago about 4.30 allowing for car hire should be on our way about 5pm (if flights are on time etc)

want somewhere not to far from airport but don't like cities so want to get away from busy areas.

arrive at 4:30 and be on your way by 5?! not likely...took 45 minutes just to get one bag a couple of weeks ago, on an uncrowded day. then there's the commute to the car rental, then the wait in line for the car, etc....

Sorry, Meant 6pm. But even though will only have had luggage getting to the car hire seems lenghty, so by the time we reach our hotel it might be nearer 7/8pm.

Ready for bed eh... as our UK clocks will be about 6/7 hours ahead and would have been up since about 6am uk time. phew...

With that in mind......I'm going to muddy the waters a little for you.

If after you land and get your car you're just looking for someplace to grab a bite, then go to bed.... let me suggest the Westin at the Westminster Promenade. It's a nice hotel with some good restaurants within a block or two. It's just off U.S. Highway 36 about halfway between Denver and Boulder. Absolutely no western ambience what-so-ever (but hey...you're just sleeping and waking the next morning to head into the mountains anyway), but with some great views of the front range from it's mid - upper floors.

http://thewestminsterpromenade.com/

Add mud & stir.

If I get Ann correctly they are considering going west and north=Steamboat Springs. I hope they listen to all who say Southwest is much more interesting--and more altitude=maybe snowcaps on the mountains and many more cute towns.
A picturesque place for the first night only a couple of hours might be Idaho Springs or Georgetown.
I hope they will do something in Denver--nice museums, good food.
And as for distances, the roads are a bit different also!!

To help comparing staying in Golden vs. Boulder. If you're going to visit the Front Range/NW part of Colorado, Boulder would make sense. If, on the other hand, you are going to go to SW Colorado, Golden would be good. (Though, the two are actually only 20 miles apart.) By the way, have you looked at Mapquest to see possible routes between places in Colorado--might be helpful.
Boulder has about 100,000 population, a pedestrian mall in the downtown area, nice restaurants, the University of Colorado. There are only two hotels in the downtown area that I know of--Hotel Boulderado and the St. Julien. Other Boulder hotels are in other areas of the town.

Golden has a population of about 20,000? with an downtown of a few blocks, Coors brewery, Colorado School of Mines (engineering college). The only hotel I know of in Golden is the Table Moutain Inn--other hotels with a Golden address are located on busy highways, for the most part.

Hope this is helpful.

Debi & Martym,
Re-thinking things after reading about this beetle infestation in Grand lake/steamboat area.

We will now be looking at SW ouray etc so have made notes and will do some homework.

Thanks to everyone for imput i am taking it all on board.

Thanks all,
Well we have now decided to go to SW region, so am busy working on itinery.

But will incorporate most of places ouray/durango etc that everyone's mentioned.

Debi, you mention getting the bus back if we do the train (which we will) how often do bus'es run.

And do you all advise staying in these main towns or is it better to stay just outside them?

Hi Ann - Ouray and Durango, like all the towns in that region are pretty small, so you'll want to stay in the towns. They're historic, charming old mining towns that have some Victorian architecture and historic hotels, economy motels, or B&B's. If you're talking about doing half the Durango train, you can just contact them when you get the tickets for the particulars. Don't miss Telluride!

When you make your initial train reservation, you'll specify that you want the return trip by bus. You will have a few hours in Silverton - enough for lunch and a walk around town. I hope you get a fun bus driver - ours was hilarious. The following link should help you plan your train trip.

www.durangotrain.com