I know of some places in Durango like the Strater Hotel to see besides the trains but I am sure there are others and some museums. We will be staying in Pogosa halfway between the two railroads. We like real trains and great museums and unusual places to eat that are not tourist trade and not too expencive as we have a large crowd going with people of varius means. Also like some local venues and wife wants to go to a ghost town that stll accually is standing. Might go the whole route on both trains so we are talking about 4 towns plus Pogosa as the trains layover for two hours at the ends of each one. We are driving from California with a stopover in Flagstaff so Flagstaff stuff would help too.
If you want to see long freights roll by, go to the Flagstaff station.
Think it's right downtown.
You can take a look ahead of time if you go to the virtual rail fan flagstaff youtube website. We stopped there on a trip to the Grand Canyon.
Take sweaters, we’ve had it snow on us in June at Silverton a couple of times.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California Turned 84 last July, aging is definitely not for wimps.
Dress in layers as weather is unpredictable. It can be quite warm even in the mountains.
The Durango & Silverton has a wonderful museum in Durango so check their hours.
The C&T is very railfan friendly and a national treasure.
Take backup batteries and memory cards.
Enjoy two of the best railfan railroads in the world.
Good advice so far (I've never been to these, but I've lived at altitude and I've been on a coupla train excursions).
If this might be a last kick at the can, take a backup system and put it on a tripod near you. Especially for any video where you're hand-holding your device. Don't bother asking....I'm not saying. Just do it.
Ask the most indulgent train crew and local shop owners/staff what else would be worth a walk.
Don't forget to look up. Literally. You'll find yourself involved with what's whizzing past, including excited fellow travelers who might also be on their last train excursion ever. Look up to see what you're missing.
I was impressed with the museum in Durango. I thought Silverton was a bit of a tourist trap. I looked into a couple restaurants and they were way over priced. I ended up paying over $10 for a hot dog and a Coke. I don't mind paying a premium price if I get value in return but not for run of the mill. If I were to do the trip again, I'd pack my own lunch. As for the trip between the two towns, it's as good as it gets for a tourist railroad.
I can't speak to the other railroad.
Visit the hot springs in Pagosa!
When going Durango to Silverton sit on the right side for the best view of the Animas River canyon 9n the shelf. Back of the train is better for pictures.
On the Toltec I would take the train from Chama to Antonita as the climb is much steeper and the engine will be working all the way to the lunch stop. The east side is not as steep
My advice would be to do the Durango & Silverton first. It's more "touristy" so save the better Toltec for last. It's much more authentic. Try and do the full route rather than the turns from either end (been awhile since I did this so not sure current trips).
If you have the time you should try to add the Grand Canyon Railway. That's been one of my favorite tourist railroads.
Ray
rrebell I am sure there are others and some museums.
Mesa Verde National Park is amazing. We did the short ride on D&SNGRR in the morning and Mesa Verde in the afternoon. Great day.
rrebellUnusual places to eat that are not tourist trade and not too expensive.
Chavolo's Mexican Restaurant, 121 Railroad Ave, Mancos, CO
I really like this restaurant, but I have only been there once.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
All good advice and observations - but may I add........
I've done both trips twice over the last 25 years. As indicated, the D&S is the more scenic of the two, while the C&T is more "realistic", bringing you back to a time long ago.
For the D&S, make sure you have a camera/phone with charged batteries and storage space. The scenery is second to none! And save some money for when you get to Silverton for there were some interesting buys there. And of course that is where you will have lunch.
The C&T is so much like it was in the mid-20th century. You can freely walk the yards and much of the loco terminal to watch the folks take care of these great machines. The trip is scenic, but not to the level of the D&S. You can really feel and hear how hard the locos are working on the grades. The trains are typically not crowded (like the D&S) and you can easily walk the cars if you choose.
A highlight of the trip was the lunch served at a stop midway of the journey. They served a turkey (just like Thanksgiving) meal, and it was absolutely outstanding!
If I were to do both on the same trip, I would do the C&T first, as it is (IMO) much more realistic and relaxing.
ENJOY!!!!!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
mobilman44 A highlight of the trip was the lunch served at a stop midway of the journey. They served a turkey (just like Thanksgiving) meal, and it was absolutely outstanding! If I were to do both on the same trip, I would do the C&T first, as it is (IMO) much more realistic and relaxing.
Agreed. Especially about the trip order but with the two best rail trips in the world how could you go wrong?
I would add that the C&T is a non-profit run by volunteers and most everyone is a railfan, historian, geologist, etc. and more than happy to share their stories. Everyone is happy to be there and don't mind if you look around. My family and I were in complete agreement that C&T was our favorite even if not as pretty as D&S.
The D&S is a business and so they are more restrictive about where you go and of course some of their employees are only there for a paycheck and seem to resent the public. That being said, there are a lot of good folks at D&S and of course the scenery is second to none.
Thanks for the info so far. Not really into taking pictures, going for the experience. This trip was my idea so I want it to go right. Some in the group don't even care about drains (neice and her boyfriend), I like live steam but the others like the trip on trains and I am the only one who is a hobiest. Sister wants to do the grand canyon thing in Flagstaff and also mentioned the hot springs in Pogosa. Didn't think about cold weather in late summer so will mention that to group.
rrebellSome in the group don't even care about trains.
This is where the D&SNGRR shines. Almost no one on that trip with us cared about trains, but all were amazed by the scenery and tranquility of the trip.
The short trip was the better option for us. We did not make it to Silverton, but the lunch layover in the woods was peaceful and perfect.
Suggestions:
On the Silverton trip - pack a lunch. The layover in Silverton isn't that long and you can spend your whole time tracking down food and not get to see the town...
If you are outside in the open air cars - watch out for cinders in the engine smoke - these can get in your eyes (don't ask)
At Chama - do allow yourself extra time to walk the yard. Quite a bit cool RR stuff there - worth taking some time to explore.
Have fun,
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Unexpected stop on the way back from the Canyon. I think they hit a cow.
There is also La Posada in Winslow-one of the last Harvey Houses built.
I absolutely love C&T; the D&S is nice, but Chama is still a real steam railroading town.
I was part of a group that chartered a caboose in 1997; that is something I will do again. Also was able to purchase a cab ride; rode from Cumbres Pass to Osler, one of the best things I have ever done.
Get there early, if not to take pictures, just to observe. I have been invited into the loco cab mulitiple times just because I was early and interested.
Layering is good; as we hit a snow/sleet storm on Cumbres Pass in June, as well.
Soak in the sights and smells. Nothing is better than coal smoke. Although they are converting an engine or two to burn oil/diesel to help supress fires.
Not how sure you feel about the open cars, but I haven't ridden more than a couple of minutes in a coach as I want to experience everything. Be wary of cinders, as coal fired engines make cinders, so you might want a broad brimmed hat, eye protection of some kind, and long sleeves. Last time I was there there were no seats or benches in the open cars, so you may have to stand up the whole time. It is worth it.
We were thinking coach. The holdover in Silverton is more than 2 hours.
In Durango, we ate at a roof top restaurant, 2 or 3 blocks north of the station and one right next to the station. Both were great.
I stayed at the Statler. It was historic, but nothing special. Don't miss the museum.
My wife had some shortness of breath in Silverton, it's 9,300 ft.I don't remember where we ate nor feeling ripped off by the prices.
Chama is on the bucket list.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Consider doing the half trips--bus one way and train the other. Especially if you plan to ride both railroads. That gives you enough to take in the scenery and experience but to still do some of the other activities you may want to do. Even as a railfan I got tired of the train by the last couple of hours.
The bus takes you above the river gorge, the train runs basically at the bottom of the gorge.
We will be there for a week so should be plenty of time, could have maybe added days but the teachers in the group may have to start earlier than ussual this year and only one of us has a job that is not in education besides those of us that do not work.
check before you show up. just read it will not run for three days due to fire danger.
Not going for a few months, but thanks.
rrebell Not going for a few months, but thanks.
An update Local news announced that due to high wildfire danger the C & T has suspended operations until July 1.
We will be there in August, if Covid dosn't stop us. Travel is so uncertain these days, makes you only want to plan trips close to home.
One of the infinite number of amazing views from the DURANGO AND SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD:
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
I hope your trip goes well, the scenery is amazing.
slammin An update Local news announced that due to high wildfire danger the C & T has suspended operations until July 1.
I thought that was the whole point of adding the diesel locomotives?
Anyway, yes, this is a very difficult time to travel and way you slice it.