Signature Events
Ride With Us and See Them All!
Our favorite part about being located in Durango, Colorado is soaking in the beauty of each season! Our train operates throughout the entire year offering visitors a unique chance to get an unfiltered look at the change of seasons both in town and deep in the rugged San Juan mountains. Frequent riders enjoy the transition from snow-capped mountains, to wildflower bloom, to the changing colors of aspen groves in the mountains.
Our event programming is designed to embrace the best of each season, giving you a special way to experience the outdoors whenever you decide to visit. Browse through our full event calendar below to learn more about our unique seasonal experiences.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
First told in the award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, the story of a child’s Christmas Eve journey, adapted to the big screen in 2003, now comes alive every year with THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride! All ages can enjoy the experience, warmth and fun of the Christmas season on a special steam train trip to the North Pole!
Highline Express
Escape to the Rocky Mountains and enjoy a relaxing afternoon steam train excursion that runs from Durango to just past Rockwood Station out to the Highline, departing at 4:30pm and arriving back at Durango at 8:30pm. After the train arrives at the Highline and journeys just past the famous horseshoe curve, it will return to Rockwood Station and then return to Durango. There will be a roaming onboard musician and a concession car where snacks will be available for purchase. This is the perfect highlight reel of some of the route’s most iconic views.
Fall Photography Special 2024
Unlike the regular excursion trains, Photographer Special Trains allow you to de-board at 6 pre-determined locations both northbound and southbound along the route to experience the pure majesty of a late autumn landscape in the San Juan Mountains.
Cowboy Poetry Train
Gather up your favorite cowboys and cowgirls to enjoy true western poets, entertainment and food when you ride this special train to Cascade Canyon. Hear poems and songs that will bring tears to your eyes and keep you in stitches. The Cowboy Poetry Train is a part of The Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering held annually in the Fall.
Narrow Gauge Day
A yearly event hosted by the railroad to celebrate the community and to welcome the Silverton Season. The community is invited to join us for free hot dogs on the lawn, and to enjoy music from the Bar-D Wranglers. Opportunity to walk through our Presidential Special train.
Shamrock Express
Time to get your Irish on! Come join us on the Shamrock Express Train bound for Cascade Canyon deep in the San Juan National Forest!
Romance on the Rails
Celebrate Valentine’s Day as you experience turn-of-the-century ambiance with your loved one onboard a historic, steam-powered narrow gauge train as we travel along the Animas River. Enjoy a beautiful day riding the vintage train through the pristine wilderness to Cascade Canyon.
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