Thursday, August 10, 2017

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

Posted from Questa, NM
(Click on Pics to Enlarge)

To view additional pictures not included in today's blog, Click HERE.


On 7/30/17 we took a short drive to Durango, CO to visit the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) Museum. Entrance to the museum is totally free. The museum can be accessed after walking thru the gift shop and ticketing area in the original train depot.

A short walk down the boarding platform area and the museum entrance comes into sight (across the tracks).

There is quite a collection in the museum.  Everything from an early airplane, to early cars, to an early fire engine, and of course, a lot of train memorabilia.

This is one of the two fully restored engines on display.

There was a huge miniature model train setup on display. The miniature depicts areas along the actual rail lines in the area.

The museum occupies several of the bays of the train roundhouse, but because this line is still in operation (to carry passengers on sightseeing tours), the roundhouse yard is still functional.

It was interesting to view (thru the windows) the shop area where restorations are done, and maintenance to the existing cars and engines are carried out.

This is the outside (business) side of the depot where passengers board.

After visiting the train museum, we took a hurried walk (while dodging the rain) thru the historic section of downtown Durango. Lots of galleries and shops for your viewing pleasure. Here's one of the original hotels in the historic section.

By this time, we were ready for lunch. I had done some research online and Nini's Taqueria received good reviews. It was only a block from the train museum and the food was very good. We both ordered different burritos and they were HUGE and excellent.















That's it for our day in Durango.  Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

7 comments:

  1. If looking for another place in Durango, we enjoyed Oscar's Cafe - especially the Chile Verde.

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  2. Trains are so cool, especially the historic ones. We ride one whenever we can. Lots of work to keep them up and running, a real labor of love. :c)

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    1. Yes, a train "fan" would really enjoy this museum.

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  3. We were in the Durango/Silverton area for a conference back in the 90's and didn't do this. Hope we can get out there again at some point so we can see it. Love your header picture.

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  4. I wish there were a way to leave no stars. My 4 year old loves trains and we have been to train museums throughout the country. This one was average, but the curator made it a horrible experience. He yelled at a group of kids who got too close to an exhibit. Right in front of their parents. Seriously, spoke to them with complete ignorance and disrespect. He stared meanly at every visitor as they came in. He was harassing a woman standing near an old train. He cursed at my husband in front of my son for taking a photo of the train.

    His unprofessional, insulting, immature, handling of the public was a complete embarrassment. I hope that when they hire a new curator, they let everyone know so that they know it is safe to come back and visit. Until then, I will make sure to let everyone know that this is NOT a tourist or child friendly experience.

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    1. I can only say that was not our experience when we visited. Actually, there were many kids in the museum the day of our visit and all seemed to be having a good time. Oh well.

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