The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNGRR), which offers distinctive year-round rail experiences and special events to passengers of all ages in the remote, scenic wilderness and high-mountain landscape of Colorado’s San Juan National Forest, today announced it is extending its Cascade Canyon Express passenger service to Friday, September 4, and has expanded the days and hours of its depot, gift shop, and museum operations in downtown Durango.
The company also announced it has added a third steam Cascade Canyon Express trip on heavier traffic days that departs from its Rockwood station at 3:15pm. After July 18, 3:15pm trips can be found by checking online for dates available. With these additional trips, the D&SNGRR is now conducting up to five excursions on the days it operates. The railroad is continuing to limit guest capacity to maintain social distancing requirements, and is adhering to enhanced sanitation procedures throughout all of its facilities and passenger cars to safeguard employees and guests.
This week’s announcement means passenger service to Silverton will remain on hold until further notice, and until the full line can safely be reopened.
“Since we reopened on June 23, the Cascade Canyon Express has proven to be a popular excursion among families traveling this summer to the Four Corners area because it provides guests with the major scenic highlights of the D&SNGRR line,” said Jeff Johnson, general manager of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. “As a result, we’ve added another afternoon departure to accommodate the increased demand from passengers, and we expanded the hours and days at the railroad’s depot, gift shop and museum so families can still experience the railroad, even if they’re not riding that day. As the summer continues, we are working diligently and expediently on the Elk Creek Bridge repairs, and we hope to reinstate service to Silverton in the fall.”
Cascade Canyon Express Ticket Prices and Availability
Cascade Canyon Express steam excursions depart at 9:00am, 12:15pm, and also 3:15pm on selected dates, with standard-class enclosed coach ($81 adults 12+; $57 children 4-11) and open-air gondola ($86 adult; $62 child) seating. The diesel excursion departs at 9:00 a.m. after the steam train with standard-class enclosed coach ($70 adults; $40 children) and open-air gondola ($75 adult; $45 child) seating. Depending on capacity, the railroad may also add a 12:15 p.m. diesel excursion. Please visit www.durangotrain.com for more details.
New Depot, Gift Shop and Museum Hours
Effective immediately, the D&SNGRR depot is open from 8:00am to 4:30pm on Monday, and 7:00am. to 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday; it is closed on Sunday. The gift shop is open from 7:00am to 4:00pm daily. The railroad’s museum, for which admission is always free, is now open from 10:00am to 5:00pm every day of the week. In addition, the D&SNGRR is now conducting three daily one-hour railyard tours, during which guests can view activity in the roundhouse, machine and car shops, and yard, at 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 2:30pm. Railyard tour prices are $12.00 for adults and children without train tickets and $6.00 for adults and children if they are riding the train.
The D&SNGRR remains committed to the health and safety of its guests, employees, partners, and local community. With the continued responsibility to support the community and regulatory government agencies amidst revolving restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and because of the impact from track damage south of Silverton, between August 16 and September 4, the railroad will shift to all-steam round-trip passenger service from its Rockwood Depot to Cascade Canyon trip Tuesday through Saturday.