The train was unbelievable. Better than I expected. The views are incredible.
TIP: Ride the train (on the right side) to Silverton and the bus back. Best way to go.
You board in Durango and ride about 20 or so minutes close to town before you get away from the highway. From there on the best way to describe the train is wonderful. It is a 3.5 hour ride to Silverton. I rode on one of the open air gondolas, which I think is the best choice. I noticed that people from some of the other cars were coming through our car and would stop in ours.
Some other reviews complained about the soot. It is there and but you don’t get covered that bad. Do make sure you have glasses or sun glasses though.
We took the 9:45 train. It was packed out. We bought our tickets about 3 weeks prior to our trip from the website. www.durangotrain.com We received them in about a week. We originally asked for the 9 o’clock train but it was booked up. They emailed me the next day and offered either the later or earlier train. Some of the people on the train bought tickets that morning but I would advise against it. The city seems to be built around the train and skiing.
Silverton is a neat little town of which is really nothing other than souvenir shops and restaurants. We ate at Natalia’s 1912 Restaurant and had the buffet. My wife and I had soft drinks with our meal and paid $26 for the meal total. Food was very good. Staff a little odd though. But I would suggest eating there.
The bus ride back to Durango was also incredible. You get some views that are wonderful. It is a 1.5 hour ride back of some hairy turns, and breathtaking views of many of the mounts that reach 13,000 and 14,000 feet.
Note: The left side of the bus is better. The first ½ mile is a little nerve wrecking if you don’t like heights. But the rest is no problem.
