So I totally have a thing for trains and if you’ve ever been on you, you may too. They are just super cool. And they get to places while allowing you to sit and enjoy the scenery and you don’t have to worry about speed limits or getting somewhere as soon as possible. Instead, when you take a train it’s all about the journey - not the destination.

So if you’ve ever wanted to elope or get married in or around Durango or Silverton and take the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - then buckle up because we’re coming at you with all of the information you need to know.

About the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Durango Silverton Train, voted “One of the World’s Top Ten Most Exciting Train Rides” by the Society of American Travel Writers, is a “coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive” that runs on on the same tracks miners, cowboys and settlers of the Old West ran over a century ago. The train still runs out of the same depot used in 1882 as well.

Train Excursions

The Durango Silverton Train runs quite a few different tours, the most well known and popular being the Durango to Silverton, or the Scenic Round Trip Silverton Train. This 9 hour full day excursion starts at 8:15 am and 9:00 am daily and takes 3 1/2 hours to get to Silverton. Once you arrive in Silverton, you can walk around town and explore the different restaurants, art galleries, and shops for 3 hours before heading back to the train depot for the return trip. The round trip Silverton train runs from May 7th to October 29th, 2022 and has a variety of prices starting at $101 for standard coach, $194 for first class. or $224 for the first class Alamos parlor car.

If 9 hours sounds like too much of a commitment, the Cascade Canyon Express also runs a tour from late May to mid October and takes you along the iconic railway for a 5 hour tour. Departure time is 9:45 am and fares run $81 to $86.

In the winter months, the Durango Silverton Train operates a Cascade Canyon Winter Train during select dates from around November 20th, to about May 6th. This 5 1/2 hour excursion takes you through the Rocky Mountains to Cascade Canyon, and even allows for an hour layover to see all that Cascade Canyon has to offer. Departure times are at 9:15 am on select dates through November to May, and fares range from $79 to $169.

Classes of Service

There are four “classes of service” on the Durango Silverton Train.

Presidential Class. The presidential class car Cinco Animas offers two seating areas, either built in sitting inside the train car, or views out of the rear from the observation parlor room. Cinco Animas also includes an onboard attendant, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, a morning pastry, and one tote bag per couple or group. Fares range from $169 per person for the Winter train, to $299 for the round trip Silverton train.

First Class. First class cars, like presidential class, includes an onboard attendant, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, morning pastry, souvenir mug, and one tote bag per couple/group. There are six First Class cars:

• Silver Vista, an open air car with overhead views, oversized seats, and a private outdoor viewing platform exclusive to first class.

• Prospector, classic table and chair style seating with an enlarged route map on the ceiling to help passengers follow the trains progress along the route.

• Knight Sky, leather trimmed first class front facing seats and a closed vestibule that boats the largest viewing platform on the railroad, as well as a UV-protected glass paneled roof. Depending on which excursion, windows may or may not be removed. This coach is heated in the winter.

• Alamosa Parlor, table and chair lounge style seating with an exclusive outdoor viewing platform available to the cars 24 passengers.

• Yankee Girl, undergone over 134 years of remodels and rebuilds, this car features classic table and chair seating.

• Red Mountain, a car that features comfortable table and chair style seating.

Deluxe Class.

• Rio Grande Open Observation, an open air observation gondola.

• Historic San Juan Coach, enclosed coach featuring reversible and overstuffed seating in a 3-across arrangement.

• Deluxe Legend, an enclosed coach feature face to face plush oversized seating.

Standard Class.

Choose between Coach, a fully enclosed train car with windows, doors that open, and seats that face forward, or Gondola train cars that have full roofs, open sides, and seats that face outward. They recommend bringing jackets if purchasing Gondola seats or sitting in any Gondalas.

FAQ About the Durango Silverton Train

What is the closest airport to Durango? Durango La Plata Airport (DRO) is the closest airport at about 12 miles from Durango.

What is the closest International Airport? Albuquerque International, about 3 1/2 hours south of Durango is the closest international airport.

What should you wear? The Durango Silverton Train recommends a “safety first” approach which includes thins like sturdy and closed-toe shoes, sunglasses as Colorado is known for 300+ days of sunshine (plus that snow can be killer in the winter), hat and sunscreen to protect skin, as well as layers to adjust accordingly to the change in temperature through the day AND elevations.

Is the train ADA accessible? Yes! They offer a train car with a wheelchair-accessible restroom and lift service! It is available on both the Durango to Silverton trip as well as the winter trip to Cascade Canyon. Be sure to ask for the ADA car when booking as there is only one wheelchair accessible car option.

Are there restrooms? Yes!

Are dogs allowed? Pets are not allowed on the Durango Silverton train unless they are a service animal.

Are there refreshments on the train? Yep! Refreshments are available in concession cars and includes things like breakfast and lunch snack items, hot coffee, hot chocolate, and other drinks.

Can you bring your own alcohol? Nope but they do have alcoholic beverages available to purchase.

Where do you park to ride the train? If you’ve ever visited downtown Durango, you know there isn’t much in the way of parking, or free parking. The Durango Silverton Railroad recommends picking up your train AND parking ticket the day before your ride to get access to their parking lot next to the rail yard on the corner of 550 and College Drive.

Do they offer group discounts if we invite family and friends? Yes! Their Group Office staff is dedicated to ensuring a great experience when booking 20 or more seats onboard all of our year-round train excursions. They welcome bachelor and bachelorette parties, wedding groups, and private charters.

Durango Silverton Train Events

The train features events throughout the year on specific dates like the:

Shamrock Express
Hops & Hops
The Polar Express Train Ride
Brew Trains
Wine & Rails
Fall Photographers Special
Snowdown Balloon Rally Train
Ghost Crawl: Haunted Durango Train Museum Experience
Romance on the Rails
Winter Photographers Special

Weekend Elopement Timeline Example for Your Train Elopement

Day 1

7:00 am: Grab breakfast with family and friends at Oscar’s Cafe in Durango

• Meet up with your photographer

8:30 am: Leave for Durango Train Depot

9:00 am: Train departs Durango for Silverton, enjoy open air and enclosed seating areas, see the amazing San Juan Mountains from the comfort of your own private coach

12:30 pm: Arrive in Silverton, walk to and check into hotel

• Relax at hotel

1:30 pm: Head out to Kendall Mountain Cafe for lunch

3:00 pm: Pick up a Jeep or side by side rental, explore the different mountain passes

6:00 pm: Head back into Silverton for dinner at Golden Block Brewery

8:00 pm: Head back to hotel

Day 2

7:00 am: Wakeup and get dressed together or separately for your elopement, really build the anticipation for the day and allow your photographer to capture things like

• The Airbnb or hotel location to set the scene

• Each partner getting ready

• Maybe someone hurriedly writing their vows down last minute ;)

• Friends or family milling about

• A first look between you and your partner

8:00 am: Grab breakfast at Coffee Bear

9:00 am: Hop in the Jeep and head up the Alpine Loop

10:30 am: Spend the morning driving around to different spots until you find the perfect ceremony spot

11:00 am: Ceremony

11:30 am: Champagne toast, lots of snacks and hydrating

2:00 pm: Start heading back to Silverton to avoid afternoon storms

4:00 pm: Arrive back at Silverton, head to hotel to freshen up

5:00 pm: Dinner at Handlebars

7:00 pm: Sunset photos around Silverton

8:00 pm: Head to some well deserved rest at the hotel

Day 3

8:00 am: Sleep in and eventually grab breakfast when you feel like it

9:00 am: Head to the Mayflower Gold Mill for a tour

11:00 am: Check out of hotel

12:30 am: Grab lunch at Avalanche Brewing Company

2:00 pm: Head to train depot to grab the Durango Silverton Train back to Durango

2:45 pm: Train departs

6:15 pm: Arrive in Durango