teacherD

We are planning our trip to SW Colorado for the beginning of June. The Durango Silverton Railroad sounds interesting but already I'm confused. There are 5 classes of tickets ranging from $65 to $149 and there is not a clear description of the differences in the classes. Can anyone help?
Also, is it better to ride the bus one way so the views are different?

GJLinda

Hi teacher,

Have ridden the train several times.

We prefer one-way train and one-way bus, not only for the different look, but the bus takes FAR less time.

About the fares, they have inside seat cars, outside seat cars, and some fancier cars. On their site, they have an e-mail address. I wrote to them a few weeks ago with a couple of questions and received a very prompt and thorough response.

I'm sure they would be happy to answer your questions. You need to decide so you can reserve soon, as it does get pretty busy, although not so much in early June.

It is a great experience. I think the best views are on the right side of the car going to Silverton.

teacherD

So can you request the right side of the car when purchasing the tickets? Also, does the bus leave at the same time as the train for the return as I can NOT see any bus schedule on the site where I am looking.

Do you know anything about the music festival in Silvertown on June 2 and 3? Would it be worthwhile to visit on one of those days?

DebitNM

I agree with GJLinda - don't take the train both ways. It will take the better part of the day and coming back will be the same thing, just going in the other direction. Train one way, bus the other. Northbound you want to sit on the right side of car to face views; southbound you will want the left side. Not sure if you can take bus north and train south. When you take the train both ways, you have same seat so one way you get views other way, mostly mountain stuff [close to you so not the best view]

I prefer an indoor seat. Weather can be an issue on outdoor and there is soot from the engine that gets on you. Don't wear white/light coloring clothes!

I don't think you need to go for the top tier seats. That is a parlour car or something.

"What is the difference between a coach and gondola?
Coaches are fully enclosed while gondolas have roofs and seats with open sides. We encourage passengers on gondolas to bring jackets (jackets, ponchos and fleeces are also available for purchase in the gift shop). All seats on the train are assigned, whether inside or out. Passengers may walk through the train after it leaves the depot, but please be courteous of other passengers and their assigned seating." is from their website.

Also, if you go one way, you can eat in Silverton rather than buying stuff on train which is typical fast food stuff.

BOOK now for your choice.


Hope this helps...
Debi

DebitNM

Here are picture from their site of the cars:
http://www.durangotrain.com/about/seating.htm

Here's info on bus and costs and times of departure and arrival:


http://www.durangotrain.com/about/schedule.htm

dfr4848

Agree with the others about train one way and bus the other. Me, being the consumate train freak, talked my family into RT on the train. (Can you spell family revolt!) Even I had to admit it was a long day - if only because the ride is a little hard. Still the scenery is spectacular and not to be missed.

GJLinda

Hello TeacherD,

Again, I would e-mail or preferably call them. Get your questions answered all at once. I sometimes think all the new technology(web sites, e-mail, etc) have discouraged us from calling and getting a quickj and easy answer. It is much faster(usually)writing on this site and then writing them and then--etc.,etc.,etc.

I agree with Debi--I much prefer sitting inside--more comfortable. If the seats aren't full, you can always go outside for a look.

rm_mn

We wanted to take the train also but decided that it could make a very long day so we did a little more research and found a company that would put together a package that included a jeep ride from Durango to Silverton, a jeep tour into one of the canyons to see the old mines, then a train trip back to Durango. A google search with the words "jeep train Durango Silverton" will find you companies that organize these tours.

kopp

Hello teacherD,

Well, I guess I'm the lone man out here. I prefer to take the train both ways.

We booked the parlor car, too, which we found delightful!

The parlor car (at least when we went, 2 years ago) was the last car going up, the first coming back. The advantage to this was that you can walk out the back (sort of like a caboose), take photos to your heart's content, breathe in the fresh air, just loosen the legs from the trip.

They even served delicious croissants, coffee, hot chocolate, juice on the way up; sodas, wine, fruit, cheese on the way back.

I would say there were about 20 folks in our parlor car.

The regular cars were absolutely packed like sardines. I have a photo of people on the aisle seat having to turn to the aisles for their legs to have room. It reminded me very much of a yellow school bus, only this was with adults. I mean really packed in.

We really enjoyed coming back down the hill by train rather than the bus. There is so much beautiful scenery to see, and -- I don't know -- there's just something about being on a train that is thrilling. We didn't mind it took the whole day. That's what we were there for.

And be sure to stop at the train museum once you finish. It's got lots of interesting memorobilia, engines, etc. Lots of train history.

Happy travels!

teacherD

Thanks for all of the help. We've booked on the right side of the train (via phone!) for a one way train trip. Our main reason is that later that week we will be driving the Million Dollar Hwy. and passing by Silverton again. (We figured we can just zoom by since it will be our third time in that area.) Although maybe zoom is NOT the right word if the roads are really dangerous!?! lol?