Last Update: 8/7/1998 - Jens Moller
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If you are into trains and history, this is an exceptional trip.
You'll never get a better feel of what it was like to travel around
the turn of the century. Remember, in those days, taking a train
was akin to flying the Concorde - quick access compared to horse
drawn wagon.
Looking down into the narrow gorge outside of Durango. This drop off is a few hundred feet straight down. When the tracks were originally being laid, the blasting crew had to create a ledge to put the tracks onto. They would be lowered down on ropes, drill the holes, set the dynamite, be pulled up, then the blasting would occur. I wonder what the view was like from those ropes? Its hard to capture this area on film since there are deep shadows into the canyon where the river is. Usually, most of the people on the train run over to the side with the deepest cliff. When you look out the windows, you'll see that you are pretty close to the edge and ask your self - I wonder how well balanced the train is with everyone leaning out over the cliff? It must be safe, otherwise it wouldn't make the trip every day with everyone doing the same thing. |
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They are no longer using the old wooden water towers, but that doesn't
make this one any less interesting. We filled up a few times on the
trip from large steel water tanks. This one is on the left hand side of the
train (facing towards the locomotive end) on the way up to Silverton. Hikers
get off near here to climb in the wilderness area that the train passes
thru.
I remember filling up with water 3 times on the trip. The locomotive carries around 50,000 gallons of water in the tender behind the locomotive engine. |
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This may give you some idea of the scale of the surrounding mountains.
You'll notice that the train rides as close as possible to the side of the
mountains here. You'll also notice that there is not a lot of vegetation
growing here, as this is near the areas where the late winter avalanches
run. The picture was taken in October and you can see a little of the
yellow aspen leaves on some of the trees near the river.
You cross the river 5 times on the trip each way, so either side of the train is a good side to sit at. |
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 The remains of a silver processing mill outside of Silverton. |
If you look at mine tailings, you can tell something about the types of ore they processed. If the tailings are grey to dark grey, its likely that they processed Silver ore. It the color is more a mustard yellow, it is likely that its gold ore. Many mines had both, but where there was both, it was usually more silver than gold. This mill on the approach to Silverton. Notice the standing water - these bogs are common in the high country and are often just like quicksand to cross. |
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There is a hotel here and many places to eat (get to those places as soon as you get into town - they fill up quickly). There are also many shops to look at. Some of the items are made locally, others are things you can get almost anywhere. If you have kids along, you may want to get them something to play with on the 3 hour trip back. The train will get turned around while you are visiting, and you will not board at the Silverton Train Station, rather along the street area that you got off. |
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Where the train stops in Silverton. This
looks towards Durango. Downtown Silverton
is across the street (headed the way the train
is pointing) and up a block.
Comments? Questions? contact Jens Moller
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