Breaking Travel News

Durango, Colorado zipline introduces observation train car seating

Durango, Colorado zipline introduces observation train car seating

Traveling on its inaugural journey through the Animas River canyon, the “Knight Sky” open air observation car carried its first passengers to Soaring® Tree Top Adventures’ zipline on June 15, 2012.

Knight Sky is the newest addition to the Durango & Silverton Railroad’s train car fleet. The car was commissioned by Soaring owners and given to the Durango Railroad. 

Melcher Brothers of Durango, Colorado built the new First Class, open-air observation train car, Knight Sky. This private, open seating car was built with the historic Silver Vista car in mind, with luxurious appointments added.

The Knight Sky train car includes roomy, reclining leather seating, a UV-protected glass paneled roof and large viewing platforms. From mid-June through mid-August, Soaring guests have the option of riding in any of Soaring’s First Class cars: the Tall Timber Legend, theTall Timber Legacy and now the Knight Sky.

With no road access to Soaring’s remote location in the mountains outside of Durango, Colorado, guests arrive at Soaring via the Durango & Silverton Railroad. Soaring guests travel to and from the zipline in Soaring’s private, First Class train cars, which now includes the Knight Sky.

ADVERTISEMENT

Soaring’s first guests to ride in the Knight Sky were Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa (from the daytime TV show Live! with Kelly) and their family.

Soaring consists of over 34 eco-friendly platforms, with 27 spans ranging from 56-1400 feet. Guests soar over 1.5 miles of cable in old growth forest, through Aspen glens and across the Animas River. Also included is a four-course gourmet lunch served in the trees overlooking the river and an ecology tour that operates in tandem with the zipline.

Soaring has been enjoyed by guests age 4 - 91. For several years, the canopy tour has been rated the #1 Attraction in the United States, Colorado and Durango on TripAdvisor.com, a consumer website for posting unbiased reviews of places visited.