Yes I have, take a blanket, and wear sunglasses, it's cold in the open cars and the cinders get all over ya, but it's fun except for that part where you go over that really really really high bridge ;o)

The town is fun to visit and it's been so long since we've done that trip I can't remember what shops are there but they do have a shop that sells blankies if you forgot yours hehehehe.

Oooh! I can bring my quilt I'm gonna make. Maybe I'll make the back of it BLACK to match the cinders. lolol

Thanks, Zipper, great advice. Was it breathtakingly beee-ew-tee-ful? I'm not scared of heights, thank goodness. Just sharks and snakes, mostly. And teed off big mountain cats!

Here is a link that might be useful: I'm doing a quilt-along! Rainbow and white are my colors....

We rode the train last July. It is beautiful and you do need the sunglasses so the cinders don't get in your eyes. Black or dark are good colors to wear.

Two hours in town is probably enough for shopping. We didn't actually go shopping. There is an old timey photo shop there in town. We went and had a family picture made. It's kind of pricey, but worth it to us. This was our first train ride, but we have been to both Silverton and Durango before. I can't give you any advice on places to eat. We've always camped when we've been there so we cook our own food.

Here's a link to some pictures and other places. We've to most of the places in the upper links.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures

I rode it many many years ago when I was a kid. The thing that sticks in my mind is the cinders, lol! I remember my hair just being full of them. It was quite beautiful.

DH and I rode it several years ago and stayed overnight at a B&B before taking the return trip the next day. Beautiful trip if smoky. Town is nice, but very touristy near the train depot, just a nice little town away from the depot. We rented bicycles and rode out of town a ways. A bit difficult due to the altitude, though.

I don't know if the Red Lion hotel in Durango is still called that, but they had the best Cobb salad I've ever had. We stayed there before and after the Silverton trip and I had it 2-3 times, I think.

Flamey it is a beautiful ride. It's really worth the trip and the scenery is fantastic but there really is one spot where DH said ok you better close your eyes now and I did so I wouldn't cry ;o(.

Personally I'd take a blankie that can be washed there are more cinders than you think - it is no wonder ladies in the olden days had to have a very gallant man with a hanky handy ;o)

If I do this trip again I'd wear a scarf and a hat cinders and hairspray don't mix lol, but it really is important to have the sunglasses on, I'd go big maybe even get those wrap around your eyeglasses kind.

You and Woody are gonna have a great time I wish I was going with ya ;o)

We, DD & 2 grandkids went on the train in July, 2005. The ride was fun and the scenery was beautiful. It was misty & cloudy in Silverton, but we walked around, ate lunch & visited the neat shops. While on the train, don't stick your head out the windows - a little girl behind us did and got cinders in her eyes plus soot on her face.

You'll have a good time.

We haven't been yet, but it's on our to do list. DH's cousin went a few years ago and sent us some beautiful pictures from his trip. Blanket, hat and glasses are a must. Don't wear light colored clothing/jackets. If you get cinders on you, and you will, DON"T brush them off! SHAKE them off. The tiny bit that might get left behind if you shake your clothes will wash out. If you brush them off, you won't ever get them washed clean. Ask me how we know! Been there, done that!

Tami

Hey, Miss Flamey. One of DH's co-workers has been many, many times and loves it. We did the one at Chama NM a few years ago that goes up into Colorado, but I don't think it's as spectacular as the Durango ride would be. Still, it was a beautiful trip (October), and the aspens were perfect!

I've been on it twice and loved it both times. We went 1/2 up during the winter trip and then all the way up during the summer. Be ready for a shower when you are done if you are in the open cars. There are lots of places to eat and shop in Silverton, so have fun. We rode the bus down on our summer trip, but I woud have prefered to ride the train.

Oh, wonderful! This is getting exciting, thanks everyone for all the info and recommendations, advice, etc. I'm sure it's all going to come in handy!

I talked to my Dad, he's been to Durango/Silverton but he drove his truck instead of taking the train and he's sorry now that he did, he regrets missing out on the train ride.

It'll be an expensive little "side-trip in a trip" but it sure looks worth it.

Thanks again!

One of my BFFs has taken that ride several times and her advice is to ride the bus back from Silverton. After the first ride they did that and were so glad.

If you ride the bus back from Silverton, you miss the surprise on the way back. ;)

We enjoyed going both ways. You get a different perspective on the view on the way down.