Re: First Visit to D&S and C&T planned for September

Hi Joe,

I've been to both Chama and Durango a dozen or more times in the last 10 years. Both are well worth a visit and I'm glad you've been able to plan a trip out there. I think you will enjoy it a lot.

You'll find huge differences between Chama and Durango.....

Chama is pretty remote and is pretty much a little town that revolves around the railroad. Restaurant selection is not particularly great. Most folks who like restaurants go to the "High Country", just south of town. Can't vouch for it myself, because I don't do restaurants....ever. I buy groceries and eat my meals in the hotel rooms. It's cheaper, you can eat healthy, and you can also eat anytime you want. No wait, no wait staff, and no tipping. The only obvious fast-food in Chama is Subway, but as fast-food goes, Subway is great. Again, there are healthy things there. Chama also has a wide range of hotels. I prefer either the River Bend Lodge or the Vista Del Rio. Both are very comfortable and reasonably priced. Both have microwaves & fridges in the room. Both are far enough south of town that your sleep won't be disturbed by railroad noise. I love steam engines, but I don't want to sleep with one. As others have said, the railroad yard in Chama is very authentic and you can walk around to your heart's content. Get there around 7AM and you can watch the engines being prepared for the day. You'll have plenty of time to get back to the station before your train leaves. The C&TS ride is long, but you'll see a wide variety of scenery. It's a beautiful train ride. Their passenger equipment is not as authentic, but the atmosphere on the train is more relaxed. You can ride in the open car when you want, or go back to your coach. I would ride the eastbound trip. As a Locomotive Engineer, you owe it to yourself to experience the 4% going uphill. If your trip is in September, you might get lucky and ride a doubleheader. Yes, there are a lot of cinders, but you're a steam guy! I've seen what you look like after a day with coal smoke blowing in your face.

Durango is more "civilized" than Chama. It's a city, not a town. Lots of chain hotels and restaurants. Night life too, if you're into that. You can shop around for hotel prices. They are all over the map. Don't think you need to stay right near the railroad station. Anyplace in town is 5-10 minutes from the RR. Unfortunately, you can't wander the railroad yard. As others have said, seeing it requires a tour, but you can do the museum, which does have some views of the yard. The passenger equipment on the D&S is more authentic, but you won't be able to shift between an open car and a coach. Seats are assigned on the D&S. As some have said, ride on the right going to Silverton. The scenery is spectacular in the Animas Canyon, but not as varied as the C&TS. To really appreciate it, you need to either ride in an open car, or one of the premium cars with the glass roof, such as the Silver Vista or Knight Sky. Otherwise, you can't see the mountains as well in a coach seat. I recommend packing a lunch, so when you get to Silverton, you have the entire time to roam the town and the railroad yard. Otherwise, you'll spend all your time finding a restaurant and waiting on a wait staff. Unless you go back to Durango on a bus, you'll find the round trip on the D&S to be a very long day. Your kids might not appreciate it like you would.

Edit: If you think you are going to ride out of Antonito, stay in Alamosa. Yeah, its about a 30-mile drive, but it goes quickly. Alamosa has lots of nice hotels. Antonito does not. Don't be tempted to stay at the Narrow Gauge Inn in Antonito. Just don't......

I don't like spiders either, and I can't speak for Mesa Verde, but in all of the times I've ever been to Chama and Durango, I have never once seen a Tarantula. Even if you do see one, they are not dangerous to humans, nor are they aggressive. They also don't climb. You'd likely only get bitten if you decided to try and pick one up. Honestly, the only tourist spots in the world where you REALLY have to be concerned about spiders are Sydney, Australia, or Sao Paulo, Brazil. Both of those places do indeed have large, fast, aggressive spiders that are dangerous to humans. And they can keep them!!!

/Kevin Madore



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/2019 08:00AM by KevinM.