We were up early, got the pups up. Broke camp and drove to the Healthy Hound and Fat Cat Kennel where The Boys will spend the day and night. Then we are off to the Durango Silverton Rail Road yard where we park Diesel Truck and Camper. The fee is $9.00 per day.
We are early so we stop at McDonalds for coffee. We were early and thought we would have a wait before we boarded. We went into the station and received our tickets and boarded the Parlor Car. Passage in the Parlor Car includes snacks and hot and soft beverages. There is also a bar in the Parlor Car so one does not have to make their way to the concession car. On advantage of the Parlor Car is the is a small open platform on the rear of the car where you can stand for better views.
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates on a 45 mile stretch of track from Durango, Colorado to Silverton, Colorado. It was after the American Civil War a former Union General William Jackson Palmer made his mark as a railroad man and moved West as the country expanded west. The plan was for the Denver and Rio Grande Railway to build a narrow gauge rail system south from Denver to El Paso, Texas. Palmer and his associates saw the advantages of the construction of a narrow gauge railway, as the narrow gauge (3 ft) is well suited for the mountainous environment and the construction cost were less expensive. The Durango - Silverton section was originally opened in 1882 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway for the purpose of transporting silver and gold from the mines in the San Juan Mountains.
These days the loads of silver and gold, and miner have been replaced with passengers who are seeking a unique experience, be that the mountain scenery or the experience of traveling back in time as one travels by steam train.
The steam powered locomotives used today by the D&SNG were built in the 1920s. Originally there were 10 locomotives and currently there are three owned by the railway. The other seven were requisitioned by the US Army during WWII and were operated on the White Pass and Yukon Route during the war. When the war ended these locomotives were scrapped in 1946.
Our Journey will take us from Durango, Colorado to Silverton, Colorado, where we will spend the night and return the next day back to Durango. Most folks make this a one day return journey.
Durango depot was built in 1882 and is restored to it’s original form. There is a very interesting Rail Road Museum at the Depot. Sadly we did not have enough time to enjoy before our train departed.
The narrow gauge rail system is a tad bumpy, swinging back and forth, so one is always attempting to maintain contact with something solid.
The train leaves Durango at the stated time of departure. The first part of the journey is through downtown Durango and then for the first few miles you are traveling next to a highway. Soon you enter a much more scenic stretch of the route. The aspen trees had turned their fall golden colors and the higher peaks have a nice dusting of snow. 
We shared a table in the Parlor Car with a couple who had been working as Season Park Service employees at Moab. We enjoyed sharing stories and they are planning their first trip to Europe.
The 3.5 hour trip passed quickly as we scampered about taking pictures and enjoying the scenery.
When we arrived in Silverton, we were met by a trolley which transported us to our hotel for the evening. We are staying at The Wyman Hotel in the “Steam Punk Room”. The decor of this property is great. The Wyman Hotel is located in the Wyman Building which was built in 1902 by pioneer packer Louis Wyman. This building over the years served many functions and has been recently restored into a hotel.
At 4:00 PM there is tea and pastries, followed by a 5:00 pm wine tasting with cheese.
Beautiful scenery and awesome hotel!
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