KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

We strongly suggest purchasing a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) Card. Consider supporting Colorado Search and Rescue by purchasing a 1-year or 5-year CORSAR Card. For the cost of the card, you have helped ensure that trained and well-equipped search and rescue teams will respond should you become lost or in need of rescue and they will not have to incur undue expense due to your emergency. The card is not insurance. It does not pay medical transport which includes helicopter flights or ground ambulance. The card will allow reimbursement to county sheriffs for costs incurred on a mission. If the aircraft then becomes a medical transport due to a medical emergency, the medical portion of the transport is not covered. Colorado residents and visitors are well served by dedicated volunteer search and rescue teams, but mission costs are often in the thousands of dollars. By purchasing a CORSAR card you are contributing to the Search and Rescue Fund, which will reimburse these teams for costs incurred in your search and rescue. Funds remaining at the end of the year are used to help pay for training and equipment for these teams. Anyone who purchases a current hunting/fishing license, or boat, snowmobile, ATV registration already contributes to the fund.

All summits in the Rocky Mountains require varying amounts of mountaineering skills; those attempting any of them should be mindful of the hazards of afternoon thunderstorms, sudden drops in temperature, and precipitous terrain. Cell phone service is limited.

Additional information websites:
Weminuche Wilderness Trip Planning Information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/sanjuan/wilderness

HOW TO BOOK AND FLAG THE TRAIN

The 8:15am Silverton Diesel excursion will service all short stops for wilderness access from May 21st to October 12th.  The Silverton Steam excursion departing at 9:00am will not service any wilderness stops.  

Bookings must be made by phone. Online booking is not available at this time.

A cap of 40 people per day at Needleton. Reservations must be made over the phone.

There are no southbound stops at Needleton for departures from Silverton.

Reservations and Ticketing:

Please call  1-888-872-4607 to book.

From Durango: Reservations should be made in advance through the Durango ticket office. Reservations can only be made for Durango or Silverton origination.
From Flag stops: Unless you purchased your round trip tickets in advance, flagstop tickets originating from either Needleton or Elk Park must be purchased from the conductor (exact fare) at the point of origin on a space-available basis. $35 FARE PER PERSON

Boarding Time:

DURANGO DEPARTURES: Gear must be loaded in the boxcar 45 minutes prior to departure to allow you to be in your seats before the final boarding call. When departing from Durango, you must be in your assigned seat at least one half hour before train departure! Unoccupied seats will be sold as a “no-show”. Failure to have gear loaded by the appointed time could cause you to lose your seats.

SILVERTON DEPARTURES: You will be booked on one of the afternoon trips out of Silverton and arrive at Elk Park flag stop about 30 minutes  after leaving Silverton. The only southbound option for wilderness access will be Elk Park. There is no southbound wilderness drop offs for Needleton.  Only the Silverton Diesel Train is designated for flag stops. Please refer to the Short Stop Table (to be added) to determine which train will be stopping at your desired flag stop on the date you will be boarding. Be sure to check for both your SOUTHBOUND and NORTHBOUND trips!
SEATING: You will be booked SPACE in a standard-class car but specific seat assignments will be provided by the conductor when you board the train.

Flagging The Train:

You must flag the train to signal to the engineer that you wish to board. The correct method is by waving your hands horizontally across your knees. When flagging the train in either direction, you must be on the east side of the tracks.  We strongly recommend advanced booking to assure seating.

Schedule & Fares

Schedule and flagstop information:

Backpack Fee:  $15

OTHER INFORMATION 

Freight:

Unless you have a current Season Pass, there will be a freight charge per backpack. Please inform a reservation agent at time of booking as to the number of backpacks in your party.  Groups can not exceed 15. Packs will be loaded and stored in a boxcar under the supervision of the train crew. Other articles such as groceries and extra equipment will be also be handled as freight and additional charges will apply based on weight. To prevent damage to your own and other’s equipment, we require objects such as ice axes, crampons, and fishing equipment to be enclosed in a protective covering. All freight items must be properly tagged with ownership and destination.

Firearms:

Passengers are not permitted to carry firearms on the train. Backpackers and hunters may arrange for firearms to be transported as freight. Please contact Special Handling in the Reservation Office at 970-385-8832 to make arrangements.

Live Animals:

United States Department of Agriculture regulations prohibit the D&SNGRR from transporting live animals. Except for service animals accompanying their master/trainer, we will not carry any live animals in any cars on our train.

Helpful links:

Chicago Basin Trip Planning Guide
San Juan National Forest information

Parking:

DURANGO: Long term parking in Durango is available in our large lot adjacent to the train yards. Parking is $10.00 per day for passenger cars and $15.00 per day for RV’s. You will need to pay for each day your vehicle will be in the lot. By city ordinance, overnight camping is not allowed in our parking lot. Click here for more information on parking.
SILVERTON: You are invited to park your vehicle at our Silverton Depot on 10^th & Cement Streets at no charge. (Note: D&SNG does not assume any responsibility for your vehicle.) This is a few blocks away from where you board the train. You may want to drop off the rest of your party and gear closer to the train and then park the car.