How difficult is it to beat the train to Silverton?
Have you ridden the "Iron Horse" Race in Durango?
Any tips for a neophyte?

How difficult is it to beat the train to Silverton?

Depends how fast you ride.

According to the D&SNGR page, "It takes the train 3 1/2 hours to travel the 45 miles from Durango to Silverton."

A strong recreational / CAT5 type guy can do the ride in 3 hours. I haven't personaly (yet) but that's my friends time from last year.

Have you ridden the "Iron Horse" Race in Durango?

First time this year - at least that's the plan. I did the XC mtb race last year. I plan on doing both this year.

Any tips for a neophyte?

Bring gear for any occasion. Last year they got snowed on going over the passes. A triple or a wide range cassette wouldn't be a bad idea. A lot of that terrain is STEEP.

It's not that tough to beat the train if your a relatively strong rider and like to climb. My guess is about 1/2 of the citizen tour riders beat the train. It's a beautiful ride and great having the road over the passes closed to motor vehicles during the ride, worth doing it just for that in my opinion. Bring a jacket, we had a snow flurries last year, started out with blue skies as I remember.