We saw a picture of an impressive railway line in the USA many years ago in a book of pictures from the end of the 19.century about famous sights all over the world. The railway track, in this old photo, wound dangerously from a dizzying height just on the edge of a steep rock cliff overlooking a river somewhere in Colorado. Later we learned this railroad is still existing and operating. |
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| Silverton Durango Railway |
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During our Visit to Colorado in Fall of 2006 we experienced this train ride firsthand. The main attraction, and subject of that old photo, is the “High Line”, a part of the 45 mile long Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad line connecting those two historic Cities. The towns still look very much as they did in their heyday and this it makes it easy for visitors to imagine how life was there at the end of the 19.century. We rode the rail line, round trip. The train once was the only method to transport ore from the mines near Silverton to the town of Durango and only the existence of this railroad brought these two towns to life. |
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Silverton was often isolated for weeks during heavy winters because it took that long to shovel the snow from the 45 miles of track unless it snowed again and then they had to start shoveling all over again. Our train ride starts early. We buy our tickets at the Durango Railway Station where we will board the train. This historical railway station of Durango is an attraction on its own. The train leaves at 8.15 am. The heavy narrow gauge – coal tender steam locomotive pulls 10 four axle carriages and sometimes even more. Even on this cool fall day, the open panoramic car has seats are already sold out. Therefore, we must stay in our seats in the closed carriage but like everyone else ours are good window seats and we enjoy the view but I would like to brave the cold for the photo opportunities of the open panoramic car. |
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The restaurant car serves a solid breakfast: hot-dogs, sandwiches, hot chocolate and coffee. We take our food back to our seats so not to miss a thing! |
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The route leads continuously upwards. We reach the rocky canon of the Animas River in the San Juan Hills after leaving the wide valley in which the town of Durango is located. We are following the spectacular “High Line” close the edge of the rim and deep underneath us lays the river. |
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After this impressive “High Line”, the train follows the Animas River with almost every bend opening new views to the passengers. Both sides are now surrounded by high rocky walls which lead to mountain tops. The line climbs constantly till we reach our destination, the historic mining town of Silverton. Shortly before we reach the town we are passing entrances of mines and remains of the old days of the mining industry. |
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After this impressive “High Line”, the train follows the Animas River with almost every bend opening new views to the passengers. Both sides are now surrounded by high rocky walls which lead to mountain tops. The line climbs constantly till we reach our destination, the historic mining town of Silverton. Shortly before we reach the town we are passing entrances of mines and remains of the old days of the mining industry. |
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The train ride ends in Silverton. Almost like a tram, it stops in the middle of a street in the center of the town. We admire the well preserved architecture of this silver prospector town. The buildings were mainly built in traditional Western Style but some representative historic office buildings add to the flair. Old Saloons offer rustic food and drinks. |
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We take our lunch in a 19th century style restaurant. My wife is so impressed by all we saw that she buys 47 postcards. The restaurant owner asks her, in a joking fashion, if she was planning to open a postcard shop around the corner. In the middle of the center are 2 pairs of tracks. On one of these stands our train ready to take us back down to Durango. |
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Our return trip is crowned by warm sunny weather, much nicer than the morning trip. Our seats are now on the other side of the train track and we have a different view. We can now see the deep drop to the river. Some cattle are standing on the tracks shortly before we reach Durango and the Steam Engine chases them away with a long toot. |
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