D&SNGRR Extends Cascade Canyon Express Passenger Service For Remainder of the 2020 Fall Season

DURANGO, Colo. - Aug. 14, 2020 - PRLog -- The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNGRR)™ (http://www.durangotrain.com/), which offers distinctive year-round rail experiences and special events to passengers of all ages in the remote, scenic wilderness and high-mountain landscape of Colorado's San Juan National Forest, today announced it is extending its Cascade Canyon Express passenger service, and will continue offering a minimum of five steam and diesel-powered excursions, Tuesday through Saturday, from its Rockwood station located 18 miles north of Durango on Highway 550. The railroad has cancelled excursions to the town of Silverton and most fall events for the remainder of the 2020 season.

Currently, resuming passenger service to Silverton for 2020 remains unattainable due to an unfortunate combination of factors initially led by critical business decisions due to COVID-19. Subsequent challenges due to the U.S. National Forest Service's order to cease the company's fire mitigation work, and the delay of repair to a significant washout along the line, have contributed to the inability to offer service in or out of Silverton for the remainder of the year. The company is currently working on its plans for the 2020 edition of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, as well as winter Cascade Canyon operations with consideration of pandemic restrictions.

The railroad also announced it is maintaining its current hours and days of operation for its depot, gift shop, museum, and railyard tours in downtown Durango. The depot and gift shop are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MDT, respectively, seven days a week. The railroad's museum, for which admission is always free, is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day of the week. In addition, the railroad conducts three daily one-hour railyard tours, during which guests can view activity in the roundhouse, machine and car shops, and yard, at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Railyard tour prices are $12.00 for adults and children without train tickets, and $6.00 for adults and children if they are riding the train that day.

Cascade Canyon Express steam excursions depart at 9:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 3:15 p.m., with standard-class enclosed coach ($81 adults 12+; $57 children 4-11) and open-air gondola ($86 adult; $62 child) seating. The diesel excursion departs at 9:00 a.m. after the steam train with standard-class enclosed coach ($70 adults; $40 children) and open-air gondola ($75 adult; $45 child) seating. Depending on capacity, the railroad may also add a 12:15 p.m. diesel excursion.