The 43-mile train ride traveled through the backcountry wilderness of the San Juan Mountains mostly paralleling the Amais River. The train was powered by a historic, coal-fired, steam-powered engine and traveled along tracks completed in July of 1882, only nine months after construction began. The original line was constructed to haul gold ore from the mountains, but passengers soon realized it was the view that was breathtaking.
We left from the Durango train station for an exciting day riding the rails.
One of the three operating coal-fired engines.
We rode in the Cinco Animas car which was restored in Victorian splendor of a bygone era. The train car decor made it seem like we were riding in a museum. Irene was our hostess, whose roles included historic narrator and bartender. We enjoyed a mimosa (Ann) and bloody mary (Paul) while viewing the awesome scenery along this historic route. Irene was a wealth of knowledge, since she has lived in the area nearly 20 years and was once a prospector living in Silverton.
Irene told us how some of the right-of-way had to be hand blasted through the mountain. A man was lowered down a rope, he chiseled a hole to insert the black powder, lit the fuse and was quickly hauled up before the charge exploded. Parts of the right-of-way followed the old toll road that was used by stagecoaches in the 1800's before the railroad was completed.
The view down to the Animas River. You can see just how high up the train track is.
In the next photo, notice the edge of the rail bed support in the lower right.
The whitewater below is rated class V rapids for rafting and kayaking.
The next photo shows some of the rapids along the river with snow covered mountains in the background.
When we arrived in Silverton it was snowing; Ann's first Mother's Day with snow! Silverton is nearly 3,000 feet higher in elevation than Durango. Since this was only the second weekend the train has been running to Silverton, many of the businesses there were still not open for the summer.
We heeded Jon's advice and went to the Handlebar, as in mustache, Restaurant & Saloon for lunch. This restaurant was like a museum with all of the artifacts lining the walls.
Don't you just love the beaver holding the American flag!
After an enjoyable lunch, we headed to some of the shops along Silverton's main street before returning to Durango via motor coach. The bus ride was along 52 miles of the San Juan Scenic Byway giving us a different perspective of these majestic mountains. When we boarded the bus, it was snowing heavily. About halfway to Durango the snow changed to rain and, by the time we got to Durango, the sun was shining. You gotta just love mountain weather.
When we arrived back in Durango we went into the Railroad Museum which is actually part of the active roundhouse where they turn the engines around as well as make repairs. We also strolled through some more shops in historic Durango before enjoying a nice leisurely dinner at Lady Falconburgh's, another one of Jon's great recommendations.
This day was truly a relaxing and amazing day, one we will always remember! Thank you Jon for making this happen for us.
In the next photo, notice the edge of the rail bed support in the lower right.
The whitewater below is rated class V rapids for rafting and kayaking.
The next photo shows some of the rapids along the river with snow covered mountains in the background.
When we arrived in Silverton it was snowing; Ann's first Mother's Day with snow! Silverton is nearly 3,000 feet higher in elevation than Durango. Since this was only the second weekend the train has been running to Silverton, many of the businesses there were still not open for the summer.
We heeded Jon's advice and went to the Handlebar, as in mustache, Restaurant & Saloon for lunch. This restaurant was like a museum with all of the artifacts lining the walls.
Don't you just love the beaver holding the American flag!
After an enjoyable lunch, we headed to some of the shops along Silverton's main street before returning to Durango via motor coach. The bus ride was along 52 miles of the San Juan Scenic Byway giving us a different perspective of these majestic mountains. When we boarded the bus, it was snowing heavily. About halfway to Durango the snow changed to rain and, by the time we got to Durango, the sun was shining. You gotta just love mountain weather.
When we arrived back in Durango we went into the Railroad Museum which is actually part of the active roundhouse where they turn the engines around as well as make repairs. We also strolled through some more shops in historic Durango before enjoying a nice leisurely dinner at Lady Falconburgh's, another one of Jon's great recommendations.
This day was truly a relaxing and amazing day, one we will always remember! Thank you Jon for making this happen for us.
How fun!!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and a great description of your trip. I just told Scott that we HAVE to do this someday. I love the change in weather you experienced as you traveled from one location to another. Looking forward to hearing more about your travels north.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if I could take the look down from that train with the heights. But the view on the computer was awesome!
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