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RESOURCESDurango, Colorado: Railfest has become one of the leading railroad celebrations in the country. This annual railroad festival is hosted by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad each year in late August. The railroad is celebrating 120 years of continuous service to Silverton this year, however, the theme of this years’ Railfest is a salute to the roaring twenties. (The D&S operates steam locomotives originally built in the twenties: 1923 and 1925.)
Expect to see a lot of ‘locomotion commotion’ during Railfest. There will be visiting locomotives like the Eureka & Palisades (circa. 1875) and the Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose Motor #5 (circa. 1933) in addition to Silverton’s own Casey Jones (circa. 1915).
The “Presidential Special” will no doubt be a “roaring” hit at Railfest. This train is made up of all of the railroad’s vintage 1880’s first-class private cars. These very special cars are all painted in a deep red color and are furnished with Victorian furnishings and all the accoutrement of a “Presidential” train. Allen Harper, President of American Heritage Railways will be accompanying guests on this annual train trip to and from Silverton.
Once the train arrives in Silverton, the locomotive will be met by all the other visiting equipment for a royal welcome, affectionately referred to as, “Locomotion Commotion”.
For a detailed listed of special events, receptions, entertainment, special excursions and more information, call 1-888-TRAIN-07 or log onto the railroad’s web site at www.durangotrain.com. Railfest activities are planned Aug. 22-25, 2002.
The Annual Photographer's Special is a special charter train that allows passengers to disembark at predetermined scenic locations where the train will be backed up and then will proceed forward for action "run-bys". In addition to the charter run-by's, passengers also have an opportunity's to take photos of the regularly scheduled trains both to and from Silverton. The charter will leave Durango promptly at 7:00a.m. and return to the Durango Depot at approximately 7:00p.m. Tickets are $75.00 per passenger. Children are also $75.00. The train will operate rain or shine!!
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 479 Main Durango, CO 81301 Reservations: (970) 247-2733 Web site: www.durangotrain.com SPECIAL EVENTS - 2002 · January - April, 2002 - Student Appreciation discounted fares. · Feb. 3, 2002 - Snowdown Balloon Rally Brunch Train · April 12 & 13, 2002 - Bluegrass Meltdown; Concerts in the D&SNGRR Museum, call (970) 259-7200 or log onto www.durangomeltdown.com for schedules · May 10, 2002 - Annual Narrow Gauge Days; BBQ & entertainment in front of the depot 11A.M. - 2 P.M. · May 11, 2002 - Silverton Salutations with opening day of service to Silverton. (Victorian attire) · May 25, 2002 - 31st Annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic; bicyclists race the train to Silverton · June 15 - 23, 2002 - Step Back In Time Festival, A celebration of "boom town" glory in Silverton. Call (970) 387-5522 · June 15-23, 2002 - A Day Out with Thomas Event; Nine days of fun with the world's favorite engine, Thomas the Tank Engine. · June 21, 2002 - Summer Solstice Moonlight Train; evening cocktail full moon train. Cash Bar. · July 14, 2002 - Brass n' BBQ; Music in the Mountains Brass Quintet perform at the Cascade Station followed by a BBQ dinner. · Aug. 22-25, 2002 - Third annual RAILFEST celebration; historic railroad equipment runs on the D&SNGRR line, Railroadiana, Garden Rail Tours, exhibits, special excursions and more. · Sept. 20, 2002 - Fall Photographer's Special; train with photo run-bys. · Sept. 28, 2002 - Cinder's, Song & Sauvignon; Annual wine tasting train to benefit Fort Lewis College Concert Hall. Call (970) 247-7657 · Nov. 27, 2002 - High Noon Cascade Canyon Winter Train Begins; daily winter trains depart at 12 noon. · Dec. 7, 2002 - Santa Train; Santa arrives at the station by train with cocoa and cookies in the museum · Dec. 20,21,22,27,28 & 29, 2002 - Day Out With Thomas Event; Thomas the Tank Engine special excursions on the D&SNGRR line. · Dec. 31, 2002 - Annual Midnight Train for New Year's Eve; evening train, followed by champagne party in museum following train's return. Victorian attire recommended.