January 23, 2002
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Site Highlights:
In town
Expensive
Museum
Uncrowded in winter
"Cattle Car"
Travel only half-way
Majestic views
Canyon vistas
Bring camera
| Go to first part of trip - Salmon Ruins - Aztec Ruins Go to third part of trip - Mesa Verde National Park Go to fourth part of trip - Chaco Culture National Historic Park |
| The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR |
) ) Welcome aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. You are about to embark on an unforgettable narrow gauge steam rail journey along the spectacular and ever-changing Animas River. This somewhat nostalgic means of transportation is a relic of earlier times. If the first few flakes of placer gold had not been discovered at Silverton in 1860, and if the Denver & Rio Grande Railway had not decided to expand its narrow gauge system to the growing mining camp along the Animas River, your trip would not be possible today.
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The Silverton generally follows the Animas River as it meanders back and forth across the lovely lower valley. But beyond Baker's Bridge this slow-moving character changes to that of a river running wild through an almost inaccessible gorge. Past the gorge, the track continues to follow the rushing, tumbling Animas to Silverton. The distinctive greenish color of the water probably is due to copper salts from mines in the Silverton area.
Read the complete history of the D&SNGRR 
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| Site Gallery - D&SNGRR |
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| Site Gallery - Town of Durango |
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| Text source extracted from "Cinders & Smoke" by Doris B. Osterwald (complete text). |