Is This REALLY the Most Scenic Train Ride in America??

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching! This train ride was voted the #1 most scenic in the country >> 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-scenic-train-ride-2024/. What do you think? Do you know of any that are better? (And what did you think of the bear??) -Tristan

[@keithbrookshire]

I'm typing this before watching. It'll be interesting to hear your take on the train ride. My Dad went on it a few years ago. Before he left fr that trip, the train was what he was looking forward to the most. He ended up saying it was incredibly boring and everything looked the same after an hour or so. I don't think he would take that ride again for any amount of money.

[@mikebahn]

Local to the san juans here, I've heard the one in chama is almost as good if not better. I've yet to do it though.

[@rickp3690]

@SUVRVing thanks for your videos and that bear was something glad you didn't chase him. I took the Alaskan train up there but wasn't as good as the Durango train. Okay thanks

[@debrabalawajder2617]

It was fun watching you enjoy the train ride. We haven’t done it yet. We did enjoy Silverton several years ago while doing jeep trails in the area; I think it’s a great little mountain town.

[@3dcritter]

I also recommend the "Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad" (Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado). Similar equipment since both were once part to the D&RGW narrow gauge empire that lasted into the late 1960s. IMHO, mile for mile it may not be as scenic as the D&S, but it feels more like a preservation effort than a tourist railroad.

[@GlennKroeger]

Water isn't to cool the engine... it's to make steam! Great video of a great train. If you go back through Silverton, and stand near the tourist info house looking back down the Animas valley toward Durango, you will see a spectacular example of recent geology... the upper part of the valley is U-shaped from the last glacial maximum, but the lower part of the valley is V-shaped from erosion as the San Juans have been uplifted over the last 18,000 years since the glaciers retreated.

[@malencid]

I rode the train 71 years ago. Very few people in both Durango and Silverton. Ticket price $5.50

[@SUVRVing]

Wow! Amazing!

[@lizard2425]

In the mid 1970s I was guiding backpack trips for Wilderness Bound in that area. We were camped around 11k feet on a high pass, and 3 of our teens drank water coming out from under the snow near some old mine buildings. They immediately collapsed unconscious! To make a very long scary story short, it turned out they had ARSENIC poisoning from the water! NEVER DRINK WATER NEAR OLD MINE BUILDINGS! 😬

[@larrydraper4451]

I love this train ride, here's why. It's beautiful scenery and historical train is great. I first rode it in 1976 with my parents. Went back to Dallas and showed my coworkers my photos. Along came a girl from the office next door to view them. I had never met her before. I proposed to that beautiful lady 10 days later. She passed away in 2012, but in 2004 I was able to take her to Durango for that train ride that got us together. She loved it. What we did was to take a Hummer tour on the jeep trails thru the mountains to Silverton and then ride the train back to Durango. That's the way to see the mountains best. Warning, I did the train ride again in October 2021. I was in the glass roofed open air Deluxe train car and it was freezing, but worth it. They do offer complimentary blankets to wrap up in and plenty of hot chocolate. Yes, it's expensive but so well worth it. I'm glad to see you do this. Also, the Million Dollar highway between Durango and Ouray is a DO NOT MISS drive. Thanks for the memories.

[@SUVRVing]

What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing, Larry.

[@jamesr1021]

When we were out there in 2003, I took a jeep ride but out of Ouray. Such a great area and great way to get different views of that area. We peaked at some outpost that looked out over Telluride.

[@FromShetoMe]

Maybe your dad was on my OB adventure. 1972 (23 days) and we got our resupply by train. The leaders hopped on the train and left us for a few hours so they could get to Silverton for a real meal. That trip changed my life. 3 years later, I returned and was dropped off at the same spot for a honeymoon with my new husband. Thanks for the memory.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for sharing! That's really neat! I think my dad was there a bit before then, though. Probably around 1966ish, I would guess.

[@stevenscarborough9376]

Good job on the video --- and the bear was a plus! FYI, I have taken that train 3 times, the first of which was in 1976. Immensely enjoyed the trips each time. Pro tip: If you are a contact lens wearer I do not recommend riding in an open gondola car when the locomotives are steam driven. Plenty of cinders and smoke. Additionally, I suggest avoid wearing light colored clothing. Ask me how I know this, lol!

[@billkipper3264]

I've ridden the train twice in my life. The first time was when I was a little boy way back in the 1960,s. The second was two years ago while on a road trip. I made it a point to ride it again and rode in an open air car. To my mind that is the only way to go as it affords you the best views along the way. Got some great photos as well. When I made my reservation online it asked me how I knew about the train. One of the the choices was "return passenger" and since that was the only one that applied to me, albeit 60 years apart, that's what I put down.

[@KurtNoakes]

Great video. One correction on pricing: There is no extra charge for round trip. The only extra cost is time. The website says "pricing reflects either round-trip or one-way excursions." We took the train both ways because we weren't in a hurry. The trip back actually gave us different views and we saw wildlife in the afternoon. We loved it!

[@dougturner2408]

I rode the D&S Railroad on the return trip after riding the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in 2003 and every year after until 2008. But 2008 was cancelled due to snow. About 2,000 citizen bicyclists and about 1,500 licensed racers race the train from Durango to Silverton on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. All the pros beat the train, but I raced citizen, and my best time was about 4 hrs. I never beat the train! A very beautiful and sooty train ride!

[@anndebaldo7381]

You showed such youthful delight in the photo of you on the train! A childhood wish indeed. Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing...many happy memories arose for me. ATB

[@Byebyebye22-mv3xh]

Back in the 70's the train would drop you off at certain points to access trails. Climbed most of the 14'ers in the area that way and it was so much fun taking the train in and then being picked up on the way out. Great memories!

[@robertsurtees4380]

You can still do this! Needleton stop gets you to Chicago Basin which is a great base for several summits.

[@dulcimama]

That reminds me of the trip I took on the Agawa Canyon train in Ontario. Because it was the only access to the interior (except for float planes) every once in a while the train would stop and we would see people crawling out of the deep forest to board the train carrying gear, boxes, even canoes. (I assumed the canoes were stowed in the baggage car.)At other times the train would stop in the middle of nowhere - no signs, mile markers, or anything to indicate a location. Crates and pallets were leveraged out of the baggage car onto the side of the tracks and the train would be on its way. Occasionally we would hear an airplane and if there was a break in the trees and a lake was nearby we would see the plane “land”. (I found all of this fascinating because my uncle was a backwoods fishing and hunting guide for many years, but until that trip I had no appreciation for how remote his work life was.)

[@joanc7422]

I've been on this train from Silverton to Durango. It is so awesome! The video brought back wonderful memories. I was with my son and we rode in the drinks car which had tables and chairs. The bartender told different stories, history, and described points of interest. It was neat. We did this about 10 years ago. The video brought back wonderful memories. Thank you. Just recently I read that an injured hiker got rescued after falling from a trail by waving down the train. Amazing that someone on the train saw the woman waving a cloth. It took 2 days for someone to see her. I remember the bartender talking about the remoteness of the train track route and how difficult rescues were. Thanks for sharing.

[@gardencompost259]

Thank you for this post. Back in the day, early 80’s, I and some friends hiked from Molies lakes to Needleton. At Needleton we picked up the train back to Silverton, where we had a vehicle waiting for us. Beautiful views, well worth the hike. The San Juan’s never disappoint. Something about hiking in a wilderness area for 4 days, and coming back to the modern world via a steam locomotive.

[@dvan7117]

My wife and I took this train ride about 15 years ago. We lived in Denver at the time. I've been on many scenic railroads and this one, so far, was the most scenic. We rode the train both ways. Makes for a long day aboard a train, but I will never forget it. Your train was being pulled by a double header indicating that it was a heavy train. One thing I'd like to mention. The train takes on water to make steam, not cool off the engines. A little chuckle for me there. Enjoyed your video. Brought back memories. The bear looked like a youngster.

[@WRIGHTWAY5280]

I was going to correct him on his water comment, too. Lol

[@chadperling2766]

As an outdoorsman I'm surprised you missed how the train is used by backpackers to access several very popular wilderness areas. One of the most frequented, and one I've used, was to take the train to the Neddleton stop where the backpackers are dropped off at entrance to the Chicago basin and access to three of Colorados' 14,000 foot peaks. After four days and three peaks, Sunlight Peak (14,059 ft.), Windowm Peak (14,082 ft.) and Mt. Eolus (14,083 ft.) we hiked back to the tracks, where around 3 P.M. you can hear the south0-bound train and you waive your hands to indicate you're there for a ride back to Durango. While loading your backpacks on a separate car, the looks of the passengers along with their cameras makes you feel like a bit of a celebrity. "Yea, we just knocked off three 14-teeners..."

[@deborahknight2768]

We took a bus group there a few years ago. My husband, who was our driver, didn't ride the train but met us in Silverton. We have taken the Cumbres and Toltec ngrr and it was less expensive and included food. A bit more "crusty" and Chama, NM is also charming. Enjoy every Saturday watching your adventures.

[@iastormtrooper]

Took this ride with my son and his wife the first time i visited them when they lived near Durango. We all loved it. My son was obsessed with trains as a child so it was really special. There were people "chasing" the train to take pictures and video on the trip back, reminded me of how obsessed he was with trains! Our train also picked up some hikers. My mom took trains from the Midwest to Oregon in the 50s and i imagined her views were similar to our train ride. Love that area!

[@stort]

This is awesome. I got the chance to ride this train last year with my grandpa. He has unfortunately passed on since then but this brought back some great memories. As always, great video!

[@JaguarFeatherStudios]

I absolutely love that train and have for my entire life. My Dad took my family to ride it in the mid-1960s when I was about nine or ten years old. There in town, he bought me a small wooden toy train replica with magnets between each car, and a small rock with almost microscopic flecks of “real gold!” I was certain I had gotten rich! I have only actually ridden the train twice, but I often drive to Silverton to watch them come and go, listen to the whistles and the chuffs of the engines, and take photos and film of them. At almost 70 years now, I still feel the special excitement and childlike charm that these trains instill in me from all those years ago. I hope to return many times and hear, smell, and feel those engines and marvel in the true history on display in wonderful Silverton. I’m still planning to ride the Cumbres & Toltec railroad in the next year or two, and btw, the jeep roads around Silverton lead up east into some nice hiking territory, up to Kendall Mountain and beyond. It’s also fun to see the very high altitude ghost town of Animas Forks.

[@ambitio9149]

Beautiful train ride. So important to our country, our history, and our greatness. May we never forget our history. The more we forget our history, the more we move away from our initial purpose. God Bless us all.

[@josephdonnaway5755]

So glad that you are making the most of your car troubles delay in my adopted home of Durango. I’ve done that train ride a half dozen times, but always in winter with grandkids on the Polar Express. Driven Durango to Silverton two dozen times, and still love the drive. There is so much here, you could do a dozen episodes and barely scratch the surface. Be safe, be well.

[@kc360awareness]

My son and I were there in Durango last October 2023, it was just beginning to snow a little bit We rode the bus up,and the train back, without regret. As charming as a 3 1/2 hour train ride can be…. the thought of another identical 3 1/2 hour ride back wasn’t attractive. Also we were so late in the travel season most of the shops in Silverton were closed. Still a charming historic and very interesting place to visit.

[@debbiejohnson2486]

I took this train ride a couple of years ago. I thought the views were spectacular! Gorgeous scenery and on the way back to Durango it started snowing. It was magical.

[@SUVRVing]

Sounds like it! Thanks for sharing, Debbie.

[@cjgilbert209]

Hi, Tristan! This video reminded us of our D&S NRG experience. In 2018, we boarded the glass top open car, so excited for the train trip. On the way, someone on the car noticed a small bit of smoke in the woods behind our train. By the time we got to Silverton, the smoke cloud was getting bigger. We had also chosen to take the bus for the return trip. By the time we were to board the bus, the fire had grown, and the buses were not allowed to go back down Hwy 550 to Durango. We spent hours at the Silverton Hotel sitting on the floor with all the stranded train riders waiting for more buses to come, and they brought in pizzas for dinner for everyone. They talked about taking us back to Durango via the much longer Million Dollar Hwy, which is known for being dangerous for large vehicles, with shear drop offs. By then it was dark out! 😱 At around 11:00 pm about 6 buses arrived, and the police escorted us down Hwy 550, which was closed due to the spreading 🔥! It was truly terrifying, as we drove by huge trees completely engulfed in flames along the side of the highway. It was devastating and very scary! We will never forget that day. This was the beginning of the devastating 416 fire, which sadly ended up burning about 57,000 acres. We learned that our rented condo had been evacuated, so when we got back at midnight we checked into a hotel and were given a complimentary packet with toothbrushes and other helpful items for the “Train People” as our group was being called. The saga went on, as we had to officially register as evacuees with yellow ID cards. We were later given a police escort to go back to our condo to retrieve prescription medications. Eventually, we were able to leave to go home to Texas with our stuff. The fire continued its destruction for a month. 😢 It was the scariest experience of our lives. The good news was that we returned to Durango on vacation a few years later, and although the fire scarring was significant, nature had begun the rebirth of that beautiful area. ♥️

[@SUVRVing]

Holy cow. What a story! I'm glad you made it out of there alive!

[@cjgilbert209]

@@SUVRVing Thanks! We are too! 🙂

[@rustyshackle917]

This company has started several fires over the years doing severe resource damage and costing the tax payers millions to fight the blazes. They're lucky they haven't gotten anyone killed. Local gov just shrugs and sweeps it under the rug. The town of Silverton is currently in the midst of building out a train stop for a couple million for this non-local for-profit company. Makes me think some gov officials might be getting kickbacks.

[@RR-od3hv]

I was one of those bus drivers. I did early run at 9:30am that day to Silverton and noticed smoke in an inaccessible area and knew it was going to be trouble. I was stranded in Silverton all day along with hundreds of train passengers and since i was first bus up that day I was designated as the medical issues bus and I was first to go back to Durango. I had highway patrol escort back on Hwy 550 and when we arrived at train parking lot there were several ambulances there to deal with some of the passengers with the various medical issues they were have due to elevation and smoke. That small fire had spread to several areas along the highway and that ended up being my last day working for the entire season due to 416 fire. I moved on to different job but when they tried to reopen later in summer they also had mudslides that closed the tracks again. Not a good train season in 2018. The bus driver Butch in this video was a great friend of mine and good to see him still driving for the train.

[@yorigasi3912]

What an amazing and scary adventure!! It amazes me how one video brings people together from way back then, a passenger and a driver...I love it!!!

[@razzberry5698]

Best ride ever! Steam engine was a great idea. I lived next to the steam train in the Grand Canyon. Ouray is my favorite place in the US. Silverton was a ghost town in '97. Good to see it came back!

[@RandomGuy-qm3mg]

Took our train loving young son on this trip 20 years ago. Snow on the ground and just amazing scenery! Glad it’s still in operation

[@welawisdom]

Tristan - thank YOU for bringing these to us! You remind me of a modern-day Mr. Rogers :) So genuine & insightful, appreciative of all around you & detailed. Happy travels!

[@jamiefenner9443]

April 2019, this was the most fun thing we did in our 120 days in western US. The Animas River is more picturesque in spring flow. Great video (as always!) To all kids who didn't grow up with trains, try to do this ride at least once!

[@WRIGHTWAY5280]

Great footage. Bonus of the bear. I lived in Durango for 29 years. I worked on the train in the early 80's. I was a consesionaire. My husband at the time and Brother in-law worked for D&SNG railroad for over thirty years. I'm glad you chose the steam engine and you actually had a double header. Silverton is a cool little town, I was actually there last month. The San Juan Mountains are spectacular.

[@michelleharrell8452]

Thankyou for a wonderful experience of riding a steam train without the phony outlaws. The scenery & wild river/waterfalls. The mountains are my favorite as the wild creatures live there. I was born in a mountain area.

[@MrCdn613]

Wait! No updates on the SUV?! I thought for sure you were saving it for last, lol. Great vid as always Tristan! Love how you shared a bit about yourself talking about journaling. One of the most genuine KZbinrs out there.

[@ByteMyWire]

A friend of mine that was a fellow commercial aircraft mechanic was a train engineer on the Georgetown Loop (same company that owns this one) on his days off. I don't think he even made money doing it, just did it because he loved it. He worked on the train and tracks as well. I rode on a trip in the engine and had a lot of fun. I got to operate the steam whistle at road crossings (two long one short one long was the signal if I remember right). Had a blast watching him operate this old piece of technology. Cute little bear too.

[@GottaGet63]

I have ridden this scenic train several times over the years. The highlight trip for me was the fall foliage photographers train. They stopped several times on the trip up and back to let everyone off the train. Then they would back up the train and drive back bye so everyone could photograph the train with the beautiful scenery. So awesome!! FYI...the $105 coach ticket is round trip on the train. It takes all day but is the cheapest option.

[@SUVRVing]

Sounds like a great experience! I'd love to go back in the fall 👍

[@kjsgarden]

We always make our trip an overnighter - we drive down from Grand Junction in the morning, get on at Silverton, walk to a hotel in Durango, then ride back up to Silverton the next morning and home to GJ that night. Once we spent a few days before returning to Silverton. Always a good time!

[@billricheter5678]

Gets much more scenic from silverstone to ouray. Train is fun, scenery not bad. Also do some hikes around ouray like blue lakes or go up some 14ers. Top scenery anywhere. Blue lakes trail, check it out

[@dixielambrecht7009]

And Ice lake

[@SequoiaX]

Yikes !! There were other humans in this Tristan Video 😱 - Thank you for the hard work and the beautiful videos 💜💜💜

[@13Voodoobilly69]

Lots of good memories riding that train as a Cub Scout, young adult, and retired person. Such a beautiful area.

[@warpspeeed6345]

A little on screen compass would help... Check out the Royal gorge sometime.

[@leedonehower3112]

We were there back in 1998 with our pop-up camper. We didn't ride the train, but did watch it come through our campground just a couple of miles outside of Durango. We absolutely loved Silverton!

[@mgartlgruber]

I did this train about a year ago, and it exceeded my expectations! So cool, and fun way to spend the day.

[@SUVRVing]

It exceeded mine, too. Not the kind of adventure you get to do every day!

[@soni05131]

Rode the train in May 2024 with my adult son. First time and love it. We rode the open gondola. Amazing! Will do it again, in a ❤beat. The views❤❤❤❤Colorado is beautiful!

[@EMA-uk5ob]

No Car Problem Update?

[@KevinHay1]

While watching you walk around Silverton it occurred to me that 38 years ago my wife and I bought our wedding rings at two little shops there. Hers was Black Hills gold and mine was a different style of tri-colored gold. We and our rings are still doing great. Thank you for the tour and the memories.

[@tomaustin4526]

It was great getting to meet and talk to you Tristen 😊 always enjoy watching your adventures Thanks and safe travels

[@pamelamingus8991]

I was just on that train on August 14th. I did the bus up and the train back. Yes!!! It is the most beautiful ride. I'm glad you posted this because I spent more time just enjoying the ride instead of filming. Your videos are better than mine anyway. Keep up the great work. Safe travels.

[@trishrobbins9942]

Fun to see the train again. Did it pick up or drop off any hikers? When I rode it 15 years ago, it didn’t cost much at all. Unfortunately, there was a loud angry family fight in the seat in front of me. 🙄 I’m glad you checked it off your bucket list.

[@michaelsonleitner5724]

I went on the train with my family back in 2006. In May 2014 went again with wife and cousins. It was wet and dreary when we left, later turning to snow halfway up and 2-3 “ on ground in Silverton. It was a fluffy foot thick after lunch. The scenery going down was Christmas postcard perfect. Thanks for sharing Tristan!

[@richardb.7054]

I took that train ride some 50 years ago. I was quite a bit younger then, while enjoying a summer vacation with the family. Fond but distant memories now, very good times.

[@SUVRVing]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@TehKithy]

We were Silverton just 2 weeks ago, while we were bouncing around the ASan Juans, 15 years ago or so, we took the train to Needleton and hiked Chicago Basin.

[@shaykjackson236]

I rode the exact train about 25 years ago and the cost for a two-way ride on the train was about $60.00 with a $5.00 lunch in Silverton. I rode in the open car and had a wonderful time even in the light rain on the way back to Durango. A fantastic train ride! There's nothing better than a steam train. Glad you enjoyed the trip.

[@raindeargames5160]

C.W. McCall's "The Silverton" was going through my mind the whole video :) "Here comes the Silverton, up from Durango. Here comes the Silverton, a-shoveling' coal. Here comes the Silverton, up from the canyon. See the smoke and hear the whistle blow!" I grew up listening to this man :)

[@joesmith1922]

Absolutely the best, without question. Wife and I have done many, many train rides all over the US and Europe over the years. D&S is by far the best.

[@JAXTRPTR]

The Durango Silverton is an amazing railway.

[@SUVRVing]

Sure is! Thanks for watching!

[@shannasteen9644]

Great day trip! Beautiful scenery! I loved all the city people lined up to wave at the train! That goes on everyday! fun Another memory about your Dad! I took train a few years ago to hike into chicago basin and hike the 3 14ers...I'll always remember the goats in camp and the dark nights thick with 🌟🌟 Great video Love the bear! He was curious!

[@lvtiguy226]

We have traveled on the D&S NG twice. Once with our kids, and once just my wife and I when we did a backpacking trip from the train to the Chicago Basin. We camped in the basin overnight below four, 14ers. The next day we hiked back down to catch the train back to Durango. The San Juans are a magical place, and one of our family’s favorite places.

[@elflordsjourneys]

Did the ride back in the 90s with my wife, we really enjoyed the open car, had black faces from the soot. Rode both ways, much cheaper back then. Thanks for bringing back the memories 😊

[@barbaraclark43]

I took the train during autumn. The colors were beautiful!

[@SUVRVing]

I'll bet! I'd love to go back that time of year.

[@EvolvingDaily65]

Beautiful ride! Thank you Tristan! ❤thank you for sharing the story about your Dad.

[@MegaGo68]

Wow, that's the most touristy thing I've ever seen you do. Glad to see you're not above it! I chuckled when you veered away from the crowd right away when you got to Silverton.

[@daleellis5521]

I completed a trip to BC and back recently. Really enjoyed it. When up (from AZ) via Cedar City, Utah, then east side of Nevada, to Idaho, through eastern Washington to BC, Then returned mostly on highway 395, but also state highway 25 (I think) along the Colombia River, spent three nights in Oregon, then into California, by Lake Tahoe (west side), to Mono Lake area (stayed a night along Trumbel Lake at the Virginia Lakes, , east through Nevada to Cedar City again, and home. 2 weeks, wonderful.

[@theresawatson9075]

Did that ride several times over the years! The Chama train ride in NM is gr8 too!

[@RafeLangston]

One of my favorite memories as a kid was riding in the open air coach to Silverton with my dad. Brought back some great memories! Thanks for sharing.

[@leenorthcutt8421]

Such a Magical ride🥰I really Loved my experience riding on this train!

[@edschneider1780]

Another thing for my list, thanks for the great episode of Tristan's life!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffmclinn3168]

That was an awesome Bears sighting. And you are correct they don’t come around too often.

[@llorylloyd]

I took my first train 20 years ago. I thought it would be fun to take my boys 5 & 12 on a train ride along with my mom. We were traveling from San Antonio Texas to the Dallas/Ft Worth Texas area (DFW) for vacation. Rented a car when we arrived and went to the zoo, museums, gardens and other fun activities. It was such a fun experience.

[@joybeekingston6472]

I think your Dad was sitting right beside you Tristan ❤. Super wonderful video!

[@loriegreene9375]

I loved this train ride. You really take us to interesting places on your channel. Loved it!

[@jonathansmith8291]

Finally rode the train a couple weeks ago, Labor Day weekend. We also only did the Durango to Silverton route, we rode in the open car just behind the food car. Love that area. We camped near Silverton and hiked the Ice Lakes and Island Lake trail and rented Razors and explored a lot of the old mining history. Definitely recommend!

[@maxwest720]

Thanks for subjecting yourself to the tourists and noise so we could see this. We owe you the money we won't have to spend.

[@Mark-cg2bg]

I've made the trip a few times between Durango and Silverton on US 550 which is nothing short of amazing but I missed being able to see the Animas River for most of that route. I loved seeing how close the train runs along the river. Now that I know, I'm definitely going to check out the train trip for that view. Thank you!

[@superdave1949]

I first rode this train in the mid-60s when the Denver & Rio Grande Western still operated it. My fifth and most recent ride was in the early 2000s and it was still the same wonderful experience as that first time. They've done an amazing job of handling the demand without ruining the experience. I'll bet Cassie is eager for the two of you to experience it together!

[@richardlandreth408]

Back in my college days at Ft Lewis in Durango, I did several backpacking trips in the Wiminuche wilderness area and accessed by the way of the train. Fantastic.

[@berandrose]

My friend and I will be taking this train ride in September 2024. After watching you and reading the comments I am looking forward to getting on board and experiencing the ride.

[@kjsgarden]

6:58 the train takes on water for the boiler, not to cool the engine. It’s a coal-powered steam engine - the coal fires heats the water in the boiler, the boiler creates steam, the steam under pressure creates the power to move the wheels. It takes a lot of water and coal to move the train. 😊

[@myjourneysinfaith]

Wow awesome. I have been wanting to do that for a while and it's definitely on my bucket list soon. That was so cool. I love Durango and Silverton.

[@ceetee2021]

Thanks for the train ride, that's definitely on my to do list. I've been on the Royal Gorge Train... it's splendid as it travels along the Arkansas River. Nice capture with that bear! A good bear is one the goes away from you. You can usually count on a black bear to do that but when there are cubs she may feel she has to defend them. But grizzles are so unpredictable. ✌☮

[@bridgetmuehlberger5141]

Fun video! The scenery was just beautiful, and riding so close to the locomotive was a great treat! I think you mentioned that yours was from 1923. It’s fun to see and hear, up close and personal, how the riders of the past traveled, and the technology of their day. Made me wonder what someone from 1923 would think about the high speed trains of today; e.g., in China! 😮 It was especially interesting seeing all the people/tourists, etc., in your vid. I’m right there with you: I, too, would’ve used the break to get away from them to decompress a little as well! 😊 SUV camping is my sacred escape from the noise of every day life! ❤

[@lynnef3297]

First ..I LOVE trains❣️ Thanks, Tristan, for sharing this. This is a train ride I've wanted to do for years, also. I have taken the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, leaving by bus from Whitehorse, Yukon to the railway and then into Skagway, Alaska. It was and amazing ride ❣️ Very cool to catch the bear. 😃

[@kathietee291]

We’ve been to Durango many times, took the boys down to see the train leave, but always opted to drive the route to Silverton, and then Ouray. Looking back, we should have done it at least once, just for the experience! Enjoyed this video, thanks so much! Cute bear!

[@chadperling2766]

The stop for water (7:00) is not "too cool down the engine", it's part of the propulsion system of a "steam" engine. Coal is shoveled into a firebox that heats the water into steam (under pressure), that pushes pistons, that crank the wheels. (A very shortened version of a complex system)

[@markrobinowitz8473]

I rode this in 1992, also only one way. But no bus back to Durango, I had my bicycle on the train and rode back. I seriously underestimated the climb out of Silverton but the downhill was incredible. Important to remember to keep braking through the high pass area, the speed limit of 25 mph for cars also applied to bikes (for reasons of physics). Getting a little older (or wiser) to do that now, but it was spectacular.

[@jerrycollison3929]

I rode the Million Dollar HWY from Durango thru Silverton and Ouray a few years ago on my HD Road King. It’s a magical place.

[@SUVRVing]

I've driven it several times but never ridden it. That'd be magical!

[@dr.nigelcool3771]

There's a KZbinr called Ruggedland who hikes Colorado mountains. To hike some 14ers, I forget the names, he and some other people took that train and seemed like they were dropped off in the middle of nowhere. They backpacked for a few days and then took the train back.

[@LeonaNeighbour]

Glad you video the train ride, have always wanted to take the ride, never enough time when I am in Durango thanks Tristan.

[@michelleharrell8452]

That was a cute baby bear. Running away to tell Mom that human did not have any tasty food.

[@jamesr1021]

I was in Silverton as a 5 year old in 1967 with my parents and remember being near that train engine when the whistle went off and then screaming/running away from it. Vivid memory but not enough to spook me from doing it someday 😊. We were there with our kids in 2003, beautiful town for sure but didn’t take the train. Another time hopefully!

[@lilysgma2852]

I love this video and your channel! Always interesting, scenic and educational!

[@caileach1]

Thx for this video ,been thinking about just this on a bucket list, at almost 75, you made it easier to be the first to cross off!

[@krismaki757]

I just love seeing CO. I had to laugh, I realized one of the many reasons I enjoy your channel is you and I are similar in our desire for peace and solitude. You also choose the same bus seat I choose when taking a charter style bus. Thanks for catching the bear footage, but not going after it. Your wife might have had much issue with that.

[@suzanneb7372]

Love Silverton!! Many trips there but have yet to ride the train. Thank you for sharing !

[@mink5]

You mentioned keeping a journal since 2011. My folks moved me to a new state and high school, in a rural area,l at age 15, in the summer so I didn't know anyone. I started a journal because I had no one to talk to. Fifty-one years later, I still keep a journal. I got in the habit of writing during that summer, continued and never stopped. (Of course I stopped writing, I haven't been writing continuously for 51 years, 😃 but I've kept journaling.)

[@Robin-kf1yz]

This is a great ride. I did the steam open car. In the open car , it is easier to go side to side to view , which is why we chose it. It was early in the season. I would do it again!

[@kjsgarden]

I’m going to answer the question on your thumbnail without even watching the video. Lol YES!! I’ve ridden the DSNGR many times and love it!! Fall is the best time because the colors in the Animas canyon are unparalleled. The first time I ever rode it (in 1986), there had been a light dusting of snow on the highest peaks - with the glowing aspens and shrubs along the tracks throughout the trip, it was just gorgeous view after gorgeous view. I’ve been a fan ever since. In fact, I’ll be riding it in two weeks. ❤

[@joedadbod8450]

Nice video, Tristan! Such beautiful scenery on that train ride. That was so neat that you saw a bear!!

[@Santacruzlyn]

This brought back a lot of memories. When I graduated from high school my mom and I went on a road trip throughout the west (we lived in CA) and this was one of the things that we did.

[@lukecole8805]

This brings back memories.my mom and me took the train in the late 80's. One of my best childhood memories.

[@judithjones7546]

Now I can check this off my bucket list. I felt like I was there, sans the noise and stiffness. Thanks

[@michaeldennison436]

We stayed in a campground just outside Durango in April 2024 and tried driving to Silverton and Ouray on the 26th (failed and turned around do to snowy road conditions) but successful on the 27th ( a little snow but much less sketchy as the day before was). A very pretty area, we wish we could have spent more time here on our 11,000 mile spring adventure around the US and Canada from Maine.

[@theamishpotato]

My first western mountain vacation was a week stay in silverton. I fell in love with the west and the adventures that are possible.