SPONSOR LISTINGS

Strater Hotel
699 Main Ave. - Durango
970.247.4431
Get on board and experience the charm, history and excitement.
Inside the Strater:
Mahogany Grille
Henry Strater Theater

The Jewelry Works
965 Main Ave - Durangp
970.247.3173
Creators of custom one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Silver Summit
970-387-0240 - Silverton
Full and half day jeep rentals - ghost towns, waterfalls, wildflowers, wildlife.

Grand Imperial Hotel
800.341.3340 - Silverton
Featured in John Fielder's "Best of Colorado". Live Honky tonk piano. Also Grumpy's Restaurant and Saloon. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Full bar with local micro-brews.

Visit the official site for the Durango & Silverton Railroad or call 877-872-4607

Bar D Chuckwagon
970.247.5753 - 888.800.5753
Durango
Great Western stage show and delicious barbeque supper. Open nightly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Reservations required.

Natalia's Family Restaurant
970.387.5300 - Silverton
Just 60 feet from where the train stops! Affordable family dining, serving hot American, Italian, and Mexican favorites.

Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum
Opening June 2011

Telluride
800.854.3062
Venture back in time and stroll along main street where Butch Cassidy once roamed.

Railroad Ambassadors and Volunteers - Yvonne Lashmett

"Should I ride coach, gondola, or premium?" "Where do I pick up my tickets? "How long will we be in Silverton?" "What timedoes the train get back?"

Volunteer Ambassadors arrive at the depot early every morning to answer these questions and more. They greet people, guide them to their train or motor coach, and advise them where to get a hot cup of coffee. The D&SNG is proud to offer this extra touch of customer service. In 2009, the inaugural year of the Ambassador Program, almost 800 volunteer hours provided such assistance to our guests.

The volunteers also lend a hand during our many special events that have been growing in number in recent years. At one time the only event the volunteers assisted with was serving free hot dogs, chips and soda during the annual Narrow Gauge Day picnic at the Durango Depot. Other events this year include Photo Trains, Peanuts™ events, Day Out With Thomas™, Railfest and The Polar Express. Over 3,000 hours will be served with the dedication to provide quality experiences during these events. Among other things, volunteers will set up tables and tents, decorate trains, don costumes, create flowers and animals from colored balloons, apply thousands of temporary tattoos, and assist photographers to safely board and deboard in remote locations.

Who do these smiling and helpful faces belong to? They are part of our wonderful group of volunteers who enjoy families, children, Durango and the D&SNG. From our littlest lamb during the Easter Beagle Express to our ageless Polar Express Santas and elves, they range from 3 to 83 years old! Some volunteers are newcomers to Durango and want to connect with the community. Other volunteers have lived and worked in the Durango area for many years and enjoy having a connection to this world-renowned piece of history in their own backyard. They come from all walks of life and include students, teachers, veterans, summer residents, railroaders, photographers, and families of our employees. Many volunteers are 'retired' but are just as busy now with the many volunteer jobs they've chosen to embrace in addition to the D&SNG!

The main reason most of our volunteers report for duty is to see the enjoyment on the faces of the children. Truth be told, the smiles of the children are only dimmed by the smiles of our volunteers!