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I just saw a movie, on the Encore Western channel, called "Night Passage" (1957-with James Stewart and Audie Murphy). It was an "ok movie" but I found the cinematography very well done. It had shots of the Denver & Rio Grande Western locomotive #476, running along the Durango-Silverton route. I especially liked the scenes along the "high line", looking down the canyon to the Animas River, below. It brought back memories from my one trip on the Durango-Silverton, about 15 years ago.
Denver-Rio Grande Western, K-28 class, Loco #476:
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Nice photo, Richard. I'll have to see if that movie is on Netflix, would like to see it.
D&SNG is a great operation. I particularly like the way they use whistle signals as was done many years ago such as 4 longs to call in the rear flagman. I do wish they would provide some kind of lodging option along the route to spend a night near the tracks and river. Tall Timbers resort used to be an option but now it is strictly a daytime zip line operation.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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I don't know what lodging packages or options you can get. There are a few motels in Silverton, so I guess you could stay there one night and return on the train to Durango, the next day. I really liked the little town of Ouray, about 20 min. north of Silverton.
It was really a great hotel but kind of expensive. I wish we had more time to explore downtown Durango, especially the Narrow Gauge Museum.
I see the Durango-Silverton train now offers various classes of service, eg Presidential, First, Deluxe, and Standard Classes. They didn't have those options when I took the train.
We travelled to Durango by taking the Zephyr to Grand Junction and then renting a car to Durango. I think there are some non-stop flights from Denver to Durango, but I can't tell if there are flights from other cities.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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So far as flights go, the Durango municipal website notes that American has flights from both PHX(Phoenix) and DFW, while United has same from DEN.
Safe assumption both are "partner", i.e. puddle jumper, flights.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Richard, when we rode this summer we splurged for the Presidential class. It was worth it. Great for viewing the scenery, taking photos, hearing the sounds, with comfortable seating and an attendant who was always bringing you goodies.
Probably the easiest and cheapest way to get to Durango is fly into Albuquerque and then with a rental car make the 3.5 hour drive - longer if you want to detour via Taos.
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I am envious, Mr. Palmland. I would like to take another Durango-Silverton excursion one of these years. Sounds like the Presidential Class is well worth it.
If I do it again, I probably would take the Zephyr from Martinez to Denver, then the flight to Durango.
I thought of Albuquerque to Durango, but if it is a 3.5 hour drive, I think I would rather repeat detraining in Grand Junction and then renting a car. It's about a 3 hr. drive from Grand Junction to Durango. You go through some beautiful county from Montrose to Ouray to Durango. The scenery might only be topped by Glacier Park, in my opinion. Lots of waterfalls along the switchback road.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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