The is a
Narrow Gauge Heritage Railway running between
Durango and
Silverton , both of which are in the
U.S. state of
Colorado .
The trackage was originally built between
1881 and
1882 , by the
Denver And Rio Grande Railroad , in order to carry
Silver and
Gold ore mined in the
San Juan Mountains . The line was an extension of the D&RG narrow gauge from
Antonito, Colorado to
Durango . The
Cumbres And Toltec Scenic Railroad operates the line from Antonito to
Chama, New Mexico . The line from Chama to Durango has been abandoned and removed.
The line has run continuously since
1881 , although it is now a tourist and heritage line hauling passengers, and is one of the few places in the United States which has seen continuous use of
Steam Locomotive s. In March 1981, the Denver & Rio Grande Western sold the line and the D&SNG was formed.
The trains are hauled by coal-fired Baldwin steam locomotives built in the 1920s, while some of the rolling stock dates to the 1880s. The trains run from Durango to the Cascade Wye in the winter months and run from Durango to Silverton during the summer months. Museums in Durango and Silverton house some of the historic locomotives and railway equipment of this narrow gauge line.
The train was made more famous in the song ''The Silverton'', by
C.W. McCall .
