Durango Train Museum

By Eilene Lyon

While train history is a big part of this museum’s raison d’etre, the exhibits range far and wide. Nine years after the original roundhouse (where the steam locomotives idle at night) burned down in 1989, a portion of the replacement structure was set aside to house the museum. At least two locomotives are on display at any given time. You can also check out a unique narrow-gauge sleeper car and a caboose.

I was surprised at the extensive collection of taxidermied native Colorado wildlife on display. (If that’s your thing, be sure to also visit the Wildlife Museum at the Durango Fish Hatchery). But even more astonished at the enormous aquarium filled with live cutthroat trout. Native trout have suffered for habitat loss and competition with introduced species preferred by anglers. Colorado Parks and Wildlife have been working at restoring these fish wherever practicable.

There are other forms of transportation on display besides trains. They include automobiles, boats, and even a reproduction of the first airplane to land in Durango.

Curator Jeff Ellingson is a Durango native, long-time railroad employee, and accomplished watercolor artist (you can find his paintings in the museum and the depot). If you have any questions about the train, the exhibits, or Durango history, be sure to spend some time chatting with this walking encyclopedia! If that isn’t enough, the museum has an extensive library of books to consult.

There’s bound to be a display here to interest just about anyone. And admission is free!

Feature image: Locomotive and sleeper car in the D&SNGRR roundhouse museum.