Summer in Durango is right around the corner — and so is the return of the Durango Blues Train. We’re thrilled to announce the artist lineup for performances on August 20-22, 2026.
The Durango Blues Train rolls out aboard the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with an incredible lineup featuring: The Boneshakers, Dick Earl’s Electric Witness, Dave Jordan & Co, Kara Grainger, Nigel Wearne, and Weary Ramblers.
Tickets On Sale
Thursday, February 26 at 10:00 am (MST)
$165 per person*
Ages 21+ only
Tickets are limited and typically sell out in advance
Event Details
The Durango Blues Train is a 3.5-hour round-trip moving musical experience through the spectacular canyons of the San Juan National Forest. Powered by a historic coal-fired, steam locomotive, this one-of-a-kind event features six live blues performances on board.
Each artist performs in their own vintage coach, and guests are free to move from car to car — dancing, discovering new sounds, and soaking in the atmosphere. Four coaches offer seating, while two open-air dance cars invite you to get up and move.
Schedule
Boarding: 6:30 pm at the Depot
Departure: 7:00 pm sharp
Rockwood Break: 15–20 minutes around 8:30 pm
Return: Approximately 10:30 pm
Sip award-winning craft beer and wine as the train winds along the legendary “Highline,” clinging to cliffs 400 feet above the Wild Animas River. This breathtaking stretch of track is considered the most scenic section of the railroad — famously featured in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Blues, steam power, sunset views, and mountain air — there’s no better way to kick off summer in Durango.
*The price listed above reflect the base ticket price. At checkout, you’ll see a slightly higher total, which includes the base price plus two additional fees: a historical preservation fee and a credit card & ticketing fee.
The iconic band lead by world-renowned guitarist Randy Jacobs of Was (Not Was). The Boneshakers and members have toured and recorded with Bonnie Raitt, BB King, Buddy Guy, Seal, Keb Mo, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Mindi Abair, Bootsy Collins, Tears 4 Fears, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Iggy Pop…just to name a few. A stirring blend of Detroit soul with Muscle Shoals-style R&B on full display every show. In 2025, Gulf Coast Records signed The Boneshakers and released the band's 11th album, Live To Be This. Released on July 18, 2025, the album debuted on Billboard Top 10, was featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, and featured special guests Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Coco Montoya, Don Was, Jimmy Carpenter, and more. It also topped Blues radio charts in the UK, France, and Germany.
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Dick Earl's Electric Witness
Dick Earl's Electric Witness
Dick Earl has been spreading the love for blues for decades with his raw vocals, solid guitar styling, and stirring harmonica, "from the depths of a true bluesman's soul." (KTIM Radio)
With Isaac Ericksen, Mari Ericksen, and Thomas Anderson, Dick Earl's Electric Witness showcases a rhythm section that is second to none that has won notoriety on the Utah Blues Festival stage (2023) and beyond. Their self-titled debut album can be streamed on all major platforms so that you can experience their brand of Blues whenever, wherever!
As a long-standing member of the Las Vegas Blues Society, Dick Earl has performed with numerous noted studio artists, worked as a pit musician at Tuacahn Amphitheater, shared the stage with Tas Cru, a national award-winning recording artist, and was even featured in the documentary "Into the Fire" which premiered at Doc Utah (2022) and won Best Feature at Zepstone Film Festival (2023).
Recently, Electric Witness competed in the 2023 International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, Tennessee, where they finished 3rd overall! What an achievement! It was an honor for the band to represent the Las Vegas Blues Society in this prestigious event hosted annually by The Blues Foundation.
Experience a unique journey of American Roots music with Dick Earl's Electric Witness!
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Dave Jordan & Co
A Telluride favorite, Dave has been described as a swampy lovechild of Tom Petty, John Prine and Dr. John and “the personification of the New Orleans ethos”. An award winning songwriter and bandleader, his songs and storytelling cover the gamut of collective emotion- love and loss, joy and grief, pleasure and pain, whimsy and folly. He freely incorporates elements of rock, blues, funk, jam, Americana, country and folk music, all with a rhythmic foundation that reflects his south Louisiana upbringing, weaving a colorful tapestry of American roots music.
From the Northern Lights in Alaska to the southernmost point in Key West, for nearly 3 decades Dave has traveled the highways of America, sharing his music and the culture of New Orleans and south Louisiana. It’s not just a music career, but a lifelong passion of seeking out America and things that connect us.
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Kara Grainger
"Talk about star power, a killer voice and guitar skills. She said to the band as much to the audience, “I think tonight, we’ll just play some blues.” Playing slide guitar, Grainger began with rootsy blues, her voice full-bodied with plenty of soul. There was clarity there too with that unmistakable bell tone mixed with grit. We were in for some serious musicianship with Kara Grainger. Her vocals packed a punch and she played monster guitar solos that had the crowd whooping and clapping. Nice to see a female musician kick some a** like that". - Rock & Blues Muse
Her music career began in a small suburban town of Sydney Australia and since then has taken her on an incredible journey throughout the globe. Combining slide guitar, soulful vocals and a heartfelt approach to songwriting, Kara's truly unique sound will leave you uplifted, inspired and always wanting more.
At the age of 16 Kara joined with her brother Mitch Grainger to form the band "Papa Lips". The band toured consistently throughout Australia and produced two studio albums that received national air play.
The band was heavily influenced by the sounds of Stax recording in Memphis, and by the Funky style of blues and soul that derived from New Orleans.
In 2008 Kara signed to Australian label "Craving Records" and was invited to the US by producer David Kalish where she recorded her debut solo album. The recording entitled "Grand and Green River" received critical acclaim and remained in the top 30 of the Americana Charts for 38 straight weeks.
Since then Kara has made four further albums whilst residing in the US. In 2011 "LA Blues" was recorded live at Studio City Sound. The cd paid tribute to some of Kara's earliest blues inspirations and in 2013 kara recorded and released"Shiver and Sigh" through Los Angeles record label "Eclecto Groove." The album was produced by grammy award winning producer David Z with some of LA's finest musicians, including Mike Finnigan, Hutch Hutchinson, James Gadson and Kirk Fletcher among others. She then released Living With Your Ghost produced by Anders Osborne through her label Station House Records . The latest release is “Thats How I got To Memphis”, was recorded with Boo Mitchell Royal Studios in Memphis, the album features the Hi Rhythm Section and is is being released by Red Parlor Records
One of Kara’s touring highlights was performing in North east India for the Himalayan Blues Foundation. Her performance at the "18 degrees cultural Festival" introduced the local community to roots and blues music for the very first time.
She has traveled to Indonesia several times to perform at the the Jakarta International Blues Festival, performing together with her US band and also as a special guest with "The Jakarta all Women Blues Review".
In 2011 she toured Japan openning the show for "The Swampers and Donnie Fritts", the infamous house Rhythm section for "Fame Recordings" in Muscle Shoals…She has taken her band to Switzerland where she performed at the "Sierre Blues Festival" as well as "Lucerne". The band has also toured in Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Spain..
In the US Kara has performed at several Festivals such as 'The Portland Waterfront Blues Festival', 'Blues from the Top' in Colorado and "Austin City Limits". She has also opened the show for many extraordinary acts such as Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy,Taj Mahal and Jonny Lang, to name a few.
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Nigel Wearne
Nigel Wearne saunters after dark in the music of the night, blending blues, jazz and Americana-noir. Hailing from Gunditjmara country in the deep south of Australia, he’s a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with diverse influences such as Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Rickie Lee Jones.
Nigel has played some of the world’s most prestigious music festivals, including Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, MerleFest, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Cambridge Folk Festival (UK) and the Adelaide Guitar Festival (Australia).
His sophomore album, ‘Black Crow’ garnered wide critical acclaim including a 4-STAR review in Rolling Stone, a nomination for Best Country Album at the Music Victoria Awards and it debuted at #1 on Australia’s AMRAP Charts. His 2023 album, ‘The Reckoning’ received back-to-back nominations for Best Blues Work at the 2023 & 2024 Music Victoria Awards and a 4-STAR review in The Australian. 2025 marked a return to his roots as a folk songwriter with his latest album ‘The Lone Reckoning’. A raw, emotive, stripped back rendition of his 2023 award-nominated album ‘The Reckoning’.
A deep thinker and truth seeker with a penchant for all things peculiar, he sings of human frailty, grace and the cosmos; songwriting that cuts to the bone. “Tailor made for fans of Tom Waits… with fire and brimstone lyrics that recall Nick Cave” – Rhythms Magazine. “Poignant and mysterious” – Maverick Magazine UK. “Vocal swagger of Van Morrison and dark spirituality and intelligence of Nick Cave” 4 STARS – The Australian.
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Weary Ramblers
Newly formed Iowa Americana duo, Weary Ramblers bring years of experience to the stage with award-winning songwriting and chemistry. Chad Elliott and Kathryn Fox showcase multi-instrumental performances with tight harmonies and great storytelling.
"Weary Ramblers are nothing short of an Iowa-based super duo.” - Iowa Public Radio
