The rolling stock of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad includes steam and diesel locomotives, passenger coaches, concession cars, open observation cars, cabooses, and other specialized equipment. Its steam locomotive roster includes examples of the K-28, K-36, and K-37 classes formerly operated by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, while its diesel fleet includes center-cab locomotives and DL-535E locomotives acquired from the White Pass and Yukon Route.

The railroad's passenger rolling stock includes cars dating from the late 19th century as well as equipment built or rebuilt by the D&SNG. Several locomotives formerly owned by the railroad were later traded or sold, while narrow-gauge locomotives and railcars owned by other parties have also operated on the D&SNG during visits and special events.

D&SNG engines As of October 2025, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad appears to operate nineteen locomotives, eight converted oil-fired steam locomotives and nine diesel locomotives. The current roster goes as follows:

+Locomotive details Number Image Type Wheel arrangement Classification Builder Built Serial number Former Status At Durango Notes 42 Steam 2-8-0 C-17 Baldwin Locomotive Works 1887 8626 Denver and Rio Grande Railroad,Rio Grande Southern Railroad Display Since 1983 The locomotive was built for the D&RG in 1887, and sold to the Rio Grande Southern Railroad in 1916, which renumbered it as their No. 42. It has been restored to as it appeared in the 20th-century (compare photo with original line drawing of this class of engine on left). On display at the D&SNG Museum. 473 Steam 2-8-2 K-28 American Locomotive Company (ALCO) 1923 64984 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Operational Since 1981 Converted from burning coal to burning oil. Returned to service May 2021. 476 Steam 2-8-2 K-28 American Locomotive Company (ALCO) 1923 64987 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Operational Since 1981 Taken out of service in September 1999. Placed on display at the D&SNG Museum from 1999 to 2016. Restored back to operating condition in February 2018. Converted from burning coal to burning oil. Returned to service on May 25, 2022. 478 Steam 2-8-2 K-28 American Locomotive Company (ALCO) 1923 64989 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Undergoing Rebuild Since 1981 Almost swapped to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) in exchange for K-36 class No. 483 in 2015. Taken out of service in April 2016. In the process of a full overhaul and oil conversion that is planned for completion by late 2026. 480 Steam 2-8-2 K-36 Baldwin Locomotive Works 1925 58558 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Operational Since 1981 Restored to operating condition in July 1985. Converted from burning coal to burning oil. Returned to service May 2021. 481 Steam 2-8-2 K-36 Baldwin Locomotive Works 1925 58559 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Operational Since 1981 Became the first K-36 class to go to Silverton under its own power in August 1981. Was the last remaining operational coal burner on the D&SNG's active roster, taken out of service March 24, 2024. Being converted to oil. 482 Steam 2-8-2 K-36 Baldwin Locomotive Works 1925 58541 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Operational Since 1991 Sold to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) in 1970. Traded to the D&SNG in exchange for K-37 class No. 497 in October 1991. Restored to operating condition in May 1992. Converted from burning coal to burning oil. Returned to service on December 16, 2021. 486 Steam 2-8-2 K-36 Baldwin Locomotive Works 1925 58587 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Display Since 1999 Sold to the Royal Gorge Park for display in December 1967. Traded to the D&SNG in exchange for K-37 class No. 499 in May 1999. Restored to operating condition in August 2000. Taken out of service in October 2019. Awaiting a future overhaul and conversion from burning coal to burning oil as of 2024. Tender converted to oil-burning setup in August 2022. 493 Steam 2-8-2 K-37 Baldwin Locomotive WorksBurnham Shops 1928 20550 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Operational Since 1981 Placed on display in Silverton until being moved to Durango on May 4, 2016, for restoration. Restored to operating condition on January 24, 2020. Converted from burning coal to burning oil during the restoration. 498 Steam 2-8-2 K-37 Baldwin Locomotive WorksBurnham Shops 1930 20640 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Stored Since 1981 Stored in Durango, serving as a parts source for other locomotives. Tender was sent with K-37 class No. 499 when traded to the Royal Gorge Park in May 1999. 1 Diesel (B-B) 50-Ton (Center-Cab) General Electric (GE) 1957 Unknown Arkansas Limestone Railroad Operational Since 2002 Nicknamed the "Hotshot". Used as the Durango shop switcher. 5 Diesel (B-B) 45-Ton (Center-Cab) General Electric (GE) 1960 33857 Algoma Steel Railroad Stored Since 2002 Abandoned on a standard gauge flatbed behind the Durango roundhouse. 11 Diesel (B-B) 98-Ton (Center-Cab) U.S. SteelGeneral Electric (GE) Unknown Unknown Unknown Operational Since 2006 Nicknamed the "PB". Built using General Electric parts. 101 Diesel (C-C) DL-535E Montreal Locomotive Works 1969 6023-01 White Pass and Yukon Route Operational Since 2020 Recently acquired from the White Pass and Yukon Route (WP&Y) in April 2020. Arrived in Durango in late September 2020. 103 Diesel (C-C) DL-535E Montreal Locomotive Works 1969 6023-03 White Pass and Yukon Route Operational Since 2021 Recently acquired from the White Pass and Yukon Route in May 2021. Arrived in Durango in September 2021. 106 Diesel (C-C) DL-535E Montreal Locomotive Works 1969 6023-06 White Pass and Yukon Route Operational Since 2021 Recently acquired from the White Pass and Yukon Route in May 2021. Arrived in Durango in September 2021. 107 Diesel (C-C) DL-535E Montreal Locomotive Works 1969 6023-07 White Pass and Yukon Route Operational Since 2020 Recently acquired from the White Pass and Yukon Route (WP&Y) in April 2020. Arrived in Durango in late August 2020. 1201 – Diesel (B-B) MP2000NG Motive Power and Equipment Solutions, Inc. 2018–2020 Unknown Tri-Rail Stored Since 2020 Acquired from Motive Power and Equipment Solutions (MP&ES) in 2018 in response to the 416 Fire. Arrived in Durango in early November 2020. Rebuilt from an ex-Tri-Rail F40PHL-2. Stored in the Durango yard. 1202 – Diesel (B-B) MP2000NG Motive Power and Equipment Solutions, Inc. 2018–2020 Unknown Tri-Rail Stored Since 2020 Acquired from Motive Power and Equipment Solutions (MP&ES) in 2018 in response to the 416 Fire. Arrived in Durango in late October 2020. Rebuilt from an ex-Tri-Rail F40PHL-2. Stored in the Durango yard.

Former/retired locomotives

+Locomotive details Number Image Type Wheel arrangement Classification Builder Built Serial number Former Status At Durango Notes 497 Steam 2-8-2 K-37 Baldwin Locomotive WorksBurnham Shops 1930 20521 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Stored 1981–1991 Restored to operating condition in 1984. Traded to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) in exchange for K-36 class No. 482 in October 1991. 499 Steam 2-8-2 K-37 Baldwin Locomotive WorksBurnham Shops 1930 20753 Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Display 1981–1999 Placed on display in Durango until being traded to the Royal Gorge Park in exchange for K-36 class No. 486 in May 1999. 2 Diesel (B-B) 45-Ton (Center-Cab) General Electric (GE) 1951 30857 Algoma Steel Railroad Operational 2002–2006 Previously nicknamed the "PB-II". Sold to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in May 2006. Now operates as YMSPRR No. 402. 4 Diesel (B-B) 55-Ton (Center-Cab) General Electric (GE) 1955 32471 Algoma Steel Railroad Operational 2002–2004 Sold to the Colorado Railroad Museum in 2004. Now operates as Golden City & San Juan No. 4. 7 Diesel (B-B) 87-Ton (Center-Cab) General Electric (GE) 1975 39003 Algoma Steel Railroad Operational 2002–2021 Nicknamed the "Big Al". Sold to the Colorado Railroad Museum in December 2021 and later moved there on April 20, 2022. 9 – Diesel (B-B) 92-Ton (Center-Cab) General Electric (GE) Unknown Unknown Unknown Operational 2006–2017 Traded to the Georgetown Loop Railroad in exchange for Porter DE75CT type No. 1203 in March 2017. 1203 Diesel (C-C) DE75CT H.K. Porter, Inc. 1946 8096 U.S. Gypsum,Sumpter Valley Railway,Georgetown Loop Railroad Operational 2017–2025 Acquired from the Georgetown Loop Railroad in March 2017 in trade for GE 92-ton center cab diesel No. 9. Sold to East Broad Top Railroad in February 2025.

Steam Technical information The steam-powered locomotives used today on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad were built during the 1920s. There are three classes, K-28, K-36 and K-37, which are all based on wheel arrangement and pulling power of the locomotive. As of 2023, of the nine steam locomotives currently owned by the D&SNG, Nos. 473, 476, 480, 481, 482 and 493 are all operational.

The K represents the nickname "Mikado" that describes a locomotive with two non-powered, pivoting wheels in front of eight driving wheels, which are connected to driving rods powered by the engine's pistons and finally two non-powered trailer wheels located under the cab. The name comes from the fact that the first significant use of the type was a series of 20 built by Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Japanese Nippon Railway in 1897.

The numbers 28 and 36 designate the tractive effort (pulling force) of the locomotives in thousands of pounds. The tractive effort of K-28s is rated at and the tractive effort of a K-36 is a . The weight of a K-28 with a full tender is and a K-36 weighs with a full tender.

470 series

The 470 series, or "K-28" class "Mikado" type locomotives, were ten engines designed for freight service along the D&RG. They were built by the Schenectady Locomotive WorksSteamlocomotive.info: Schenectady Locomotive Works Engine List of the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, New York in 1923. The K-28s have . of tractive effort, superheated, and the boilers are fed by two non-lifting injectors.

Air brakes are 6-ET automatic and also feature a straight air secondary braking system for daily passenger trains. Due to their smaller size, these engines are often used on the D&SNG for shorter trains, usually the first or last on the schedule, and often for helper service or sectioned trains. Despite being smaller than the K-36 class locomotives, older and less powerful, the engine crews tend to favor a trip on these engines because the design ALCO used was superior in balance and servicing. Firing can be tricky when the engine is working hard, as the clam shell-style firedoors tend to pull into the backhead of the boiler due to the draft, and if any flues in the boiler are leaking, the loss of draft on the fire is much harder to work around than on the K-36 locomotives. Firing while the engine is working hard is done with a large "heel" pattern, generally with as little coal on the flue sheet as possible, and gradually sloping the fire bed towards the door sheet to the height or higher than the firedoors. This results in the draft being forced through the fire bed in the thinner areas towards the flue sheet, which usually is hindered by the lack of draft between the grates and the arch brick. New firemen sometimes have a hard time learning this, because the art of "reading" a fire takes time to learn and the amount of time working on the K-28 class locomotives is much-reduced compared to the railroad's usual K-36 workhorses, which have a larger firebox and are more forgiving in technique.

Out of the original ten only three 470s remain, and all are owned and operated by the D&SNG. The other seven were requisitioned by the United States Army in 1942 to be used on the White Pass & Yukon Route in Alaska during World War II. They were later dismantled for scrap in 1946.