Sure, the snow starts to melt, the ski lifts stop running, and the tulips begin to bloom, but there is no surer sign that winter is over than the annual start of service to Silverton on the Durango train! Celebrate the clearing of the snow with the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at the 2017 Narrow Gauge Days!

Narrow Gauge Days will be Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, at the Durango train depot in downtown Durango. The celebration marks yet another year of continuous service from Durango to Silverton since 1882. Pretty impressive, eh?

The Durango train will kick off the start of summer service to Silverton with its annual party to mark the occasion: a free picnic and community celebration. Volunteers will be manning the grill and serving up hot dogs, chips and soda from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Durango train depot. Entertainment includes live music from the Bar D Wranglers and keep an eye out for Snoopy!

Visitors will also have a chance to get on some of the Durango train’s historic passenger cars without actually buying a ticket; tours will be available of a few premium class cars and other railroad equipment throughout the day! Guests can also learn more about history of the Durango train by exploring exhibits at the D&SNG Railroad Museum, where kids (and grownup kids) will enjoy the model train.

Another bonus? Arrive early to snag a free tree seedling provided by owner and CEO Al Harper, who buys seedlings every year for guests to plant at home!

For those who want to ride the first train to Silverton of the 2017 summer season, get your ticket by calling 1-877-872-4607! The train will depart the depot at 8:45 a.m. and the ride to Silverton will include narrators dressed in period costume strolling through the cars, talking about the history of the train and the area.

To celebrate the start of service in Silverton, visitors can enjoy a free continental breakfast at the Silverton depot at 10th and Cement streets. As the train chugs into the station, Silverton welcomes passengers with festivities and townspeople dressed in Victorian-era clothing.