Base_fiddle

Mike, I took the train from Silverton to Durango last September. Nice trip. I agree with other posts about temperatures and lens selections. We were in a private car with a tour guide and that a big difference...also entertaining. In several spots, the rocks are so close to the train that you can't get a picture. Although there are other spots where the distance mountains are beautiful.

There is a spot on the train where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed - the jump off the cliff. If I remember correctly, there have been several movies made on the railroad.

I would not suggest taking it round trip; you'd see the same senery. As part of vacation, it's fun.

I would suggest walking about Silverton - that's where the real pictures are. Tremendous mountain senery, especially if there is color in the trees. Nice town and good restaurants. Enjoy.

Maydanm

Maydanm

Beautiful worthwhile trip; BUT take the train only to Silverton and take the bus back( or have a car in Silverton and drive back. Even better drive the million dollar hwy to Ouray and vicinity. One of the prettiest drives and some of the most gorgeous scenery from Ouray to Ridgeway and then to Telluride, you will ever see).
Depending on your time frame spend another day or two and drive the entire loop.( Durango, Cortez, Mancis, T-ride, Ridgeway, Ouray, Silverton and back to Durango. If money is no problem stay at the Strater Hotel ( a half block from the train station).if I can be of further assistance let me know, david
I’m prejudiced having lived out there for 25 years and hopefully someone will spread my ashes along that route.

FrWalt Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I live in Silverton Colorado and have ridden the train many times. I never tire of the trip with such magnificent scenery. I work in the Olde Tyme Photo Parlour on Blair Street just one half block from where train stops. If you are interested you can ride to Silverton, spend a night or so in one of the local hotels, and ride the train back to Durango the following day. Just a thought. I prefer to ride in one of the glass top observation cars. However, one does take a chance with the weather and mountain storms. Do make sure that you have ample memory and extra batteries, as you will take many more photos than you might expect. I hope to see you some time in June.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I highly 2nd that idea!

The loop will wet your appetite but you will have only begone to see all the scenic beauty of the western slope of Colorado.

artpulis

Fabulous trip. We used to live in Durango, and would take the trip with guests every couple of years. Both ways is a long day as mentioned, but for photos, you will see totally different things going in the other directions. Afternoon showers are common, but less in June than in July and August.

pgiraudin3

I haven't read everyone of the posts here, but I definitely agree with everything that's been said. Wide lens, ride the open car, go both ways on the train, take a jacket, etc., etc.

One other thing. The cinders that fly back into the open car will leave melted spots on anything you are wearing, especially polyester. You might want to take an "old" long sleeve shirt to put over any coat or jacket that you're wearing. Nobody will be looking at what you are wearing! They will be too busy taking in the breathtaking scenery!

Enjoy the trip. We've done it twice and it was fabulous! Check out the Rochester Hotel. A little pricy, but a great hotel with a movie theme, and a wonderful breakfast (included).

Lemon Drop Kid Loc: Greeley, CO

This happened about 30 years ago. My wife and I took the train to Silverton and had made reservations to stay overnight in a bed and breakfast. Turned out that the B&B was a downtown bakery/restaurant with bedrooms on the second floor. But all the rooms were taken. (So much for a reservation!) The owner then took us in his jeep to the edge of town, stopped by a nice, new-looking house, handed us the keys, told us we would be the only people there, and drove off.

We picked out our room and settled in for the night. Then we heard a noise. We looked at each other. A minute or so later, we heard another noise. We went downstairs, looked over the entire floor plan, found nothing, checked the doors which all were locked on the inside, and sat down -- by then just a bit on edge. Was our B&B haunted? And then, we heard the shower in the bathroom turn on. Figuring ghosts don't take showers, we went to the bathroom door and knocked. From inside came a voice, “Be out in a minute.)

The voice turned out to belong to the owner's handyman, who lived in a downstairs room which had a movable panel for a door, and who the owner had failed to mention.

artpulis

That's Silverton. I love it! Thanks for the story.

adamsg Loc: Chubbuck, ID

The return to Durango on the train is worth the time. You are absolutely correct about the different perspective on the return trip.

artpulis

Tip, when you book your seats, think about what side of the train you would like to be on. As I recall, on the way up, the right side overlooks the river in the exciting "high line" section, whereas, the left side would be facing the canyon wall. Obviously, on the way down things are reversed.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Our seats were on the left side, and we did have some good views, especially at the watertower stop. This pic shows DH and son looking out the right side, where we spent most of our time!

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

WE did it a few years ago and I agree about having a wide angle capability for the trip. I think if I was going now, I would take two bodes, one with a ultrawide angle zoom and the other with a midrange to mild telephoto zoom for the details of interest along the way. The curves are best scenes along the way. We took it both ways but you can get a bus ride back from Silverton if you want and different view. We found the return trip on the train a bit redundant with the trip out.

2666loco

It's a wonderful trip. Take some eye glasses because of cinders from the locomotive. Try to get a seat on the right side of the train because the sun is usually out in the AM and it is usually cloudy in the afternoon. Also, the Animas River is 300 feet below and usually sunny in the AM. There are regular passenger cars where you sit inside in a seat, but I always get the open cars with just a roof and open sides to make pictures easier. Farther back in the train makes locomotive shots easier when the train goes around a curve. You can lean out over the edge and get the locomotive on curves from the open cars. Enjoy the trip. The locomotives are about 100 years old. The train travels at about 20-25mph and it takes about 4 hours to Silverton.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

If you don't want to stay over, take the train from Durango to Silverton so you can do the round trip in one day. It starts in Durango and comes back there, but not the other way around. Try to stay in Ouray about 45 minutes north of Silverton and go on a jeep excursion. They will take you into the back country the general public can't get to or doesn't know about. You will see abandoned mines, and mining towns and overlooks that will make the trip well worth the price of admission.