Locomotive and Motor Car Rides

Your unique chance to experience part of what it takes to work this historic railroad line!

Locomotive Cab Rides are available throughout the year!

Locomotive Cab Rides and Motor Car Rides can not be booked online.

Call 1-888-872-4607 for date availability and advance reservations.

Locomotive Cab Ride

Experience a day in the life of an engineer and fireman (depending on locomotive power) in the cab of a steam oil burning or diesel locomotive. The indispensable engineer crew perform a number of skilled tasks to safely operate the locomotives that transport guests to yesteryear. Join them to experience first hand what goes on behind the scenes each day.

Summer: During the summer season (May-October), ride 3 1/2 hours one-way either Durango to Silverton or Silverton to Durango in the cab of an authentic K-Class steam-powered locomotive or diesel pulling our regularly scheduled train. Observe first-hand what it takes to operate a historic locomotive.

Book a morning locomotive cab excursion from Durango to Silverton or an afternoon locomotive cab excursion from Silverton to Durango. Ride the opposite direction in the comfort of your choice between standard coach seating or riding in our motor coach on US Highway 550. Estimated round-trip train excursion time is 9 hours including layover in Silverton.

Winter: During the winter season (November- early May ), book a locomotive cab ride on the Cascade Canyon Winter Train (either a K-Class coal/oil burning steam locomotive or a diesel depending on the schedule) and experience the winter Rocky Mountain adventure of a lifetime during a 2 hour cab ride deep into the San Juan National Forest to Cascade Canyon! You may choose to ride in the cab one way and relax in a heated coach on the opposite leg of the journey. During the 2023 winter season, the train will have a total excursion time of 5.25 hours.

Locomotive Ride Fare: $1,100*
*plus 8% historical preservation fee.

Motor Car Ride
(Available May-October)

Ride the rails with a veteran Maintenance-of-Way crew member in a motorcar. This excursion allows you to experience a typical afternoon patrolling and maintaining the rails and right-of-way staying in communication with the train returning from Silverton. The views and the opportunity for photographs is unsurpassed! Ride to Silverton in the comfort of your choice between standard train seating or riding in our motor coach on US Highway 550.

Silverton OW Motor Car Ride fare (May-Oct): $550*

*plus 8% historical preservation fee.

All Locomotive and Motor Car riders: You must be at least 18 years old. You will be issued the official D&SNGRR attire that is yours to keep after the excursion! Please wear sturdy lace-up boots and bring a water bottle. D&SNGRR will provide overalls, shirt, engineer hat, protective eyewear & earplugs, and a pair of gloves.