United States · Heritage · Scenic
The Durango & Silverton runs 45.4 miles of three-foot narrow gauge between Durango and Silverton in southwest Colorado, on rails first laid in 1882 and worked by coal-fired steam locomotives ever since. The summer run to Silverton takes around three and a half hours each way; in winter trains turn short at Cascade, 26 miles out. The line is a National Historic Landmark.
Durango → Silverton
United States
Photo: snowpeak · CC BY 2.0
01 · At the railway
The published route begins here, continuing through Durango Depot and Rockwood, before reaching Silverton.
02 · Aboard
Open-air gondola seating is offered on applicable departures; enclosed classes are also sold.
03 · First movement
The official route climbs the cliff-cut Highline above the Animas Canyon, one of the journey's defining railway views.
04 · The high point
The line crosses the Animas River five times and passes remote mountain country beyond road access.
05 · Arrival
Historic mining camps and high San Juan peaks frame the approach to Silverton.
Evidence on demand
Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.
3h 30m
The published route runs from Durango to Silverton.
Durango–Silverton
The published route runs from Durango to Silverton via Rockwood, Cascade Canyon Wye, Needleton, Elk Park.
Key stops
Durango DepotRockwoodCascade Canyon WyeNeedletonElk ParkSilverton
Durango Depot
United States
Rockwood
United States
Cascade Canyon Wye
United States
Needleton
United States
Elk Park
United States
Silverton
United States
The official route climbs the cliff-cut Highline above the Animas Canyon, one of the journey's defining railway views.
The line crosses the Animas River five times and passes remote mountain country beyond road access.
Historic mining camps and high San Juan peaks frame the approach to Silverton.
The appeal here is the survival of an older way of travelling: short distances covered slowly, with the railway on display as much as the scenery. At a few hours between Durango and Silverton, it is long enough to feel like a journey and short enough to watch the whole of it without losing concentration. Calls at Rockwood and Needleton break the run into recognisable stages rather than one undifferentiated stretch.
Outdoor viewing platform
Open-air gondola seating is offered on applicable departures; enclosed classes are also sold.
Historic rolling stock
The official operator presents the railway as a historic narrow-gauge train experience.
2 onboard details are confirmed against a source. Anything not listed here has not been researched yet; treat it as unknown, not absent.
Year-round service; verify the selected departure and engineering changes.
Where to sit
Seat-side guidance not yet verified
We have not confirmed a better side for this journey. We would rather say nothing than send you to the wrong window.
Rail enthusiasts
Especially good
The train and the line itself are a large part of the reason to travel.
Photographers
Especially good
Published photography score is high for this route's landscapes and structures.
Families
Good fit
Short enough, frequent enough or engaging enough to work with children.
You cannot just turn up
A reservation is required for this journey.
Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.
More subjective
Not rated yet: value for money, food & drink, seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, romance, remoteness.
Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.
Not yet verified: typical price, rail pass validity. We leave these blank rather than guess.
This is the operator's own reservation entry point. Fares and availability are confirmed there, not here. Journey length: 3h 30m. Checked 12 Sep 2026 · Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
The compact source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.
Your next step
Book directly with the railroad; summer Silverton trains and open-air cars sell out well ahead.
Check availability with Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (opens in a new tab)This is the operator's own reservation entry point. Fares and availability are confirmed there, not here.
Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.
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Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.
Last reviewed 12 Sep 2026.
Official sources
Checked 12 Sep 2026