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Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings

	DURANGO-SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE LINE Colorado
Location: La Plata and San Juan Counties. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Ownership and Administration. Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad; administered as a branch line.

Significance. During the frantic years of the gold rushes in Colorado, transportation of ore caused many problems. Railroaders finally discovered the many economies and advantages of the narrow gauge—3 feet wide instead of the standard gauge of 4 feet, 6 inches. This gauge could be built in the Colorado mountains at 37 percent less cost than standard gauge; it could accommodate sharper curves; the equipment was lighter for each ton of freight; the rails were lighter and easier to install; and fuel efficiency was higher. For these reasons in 1882 the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad built the 45-mile Durango-Silverton Line, which connected with its main line at Durango. The first passenger train arrived at Silverton on the Fourth of July 1882. Thereafter the line carried ore from Silverton to Durango, where it was reduced. Freight operations continued through World War I. Today a narrow gauge freight line still operates between Alamosa and Durango, but the Durango-Silverton freight line is a historic relic of a bygone age.

Present Appearance. The Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Line is the only passenger railroad of its kind still operating in the United States. The track follows the gorge of the Las Animas River from Durango, elevation 6,500 feet, to Silverton, elevation 9,032 feet. It passes through some of the finest scenery in the Rocky Mountains. In recent years the trip has become popular with summer visitors. [13]

NHL Designation: 07/04/61