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The Durango & Silverton Railroad 7/17/2008

After a restful night at the Best Western Rio Grande Inn and a good breakfast, we checked out and stored our bags in the rental car since it would remain here while we rode the train. We walked over to the Durango & Silverton station, picked up our tickets and realized we were all in the same open car. After storing my backpark at my reserved seat, I walked to the front of the train for a picture and the consist.

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, often abbreviated as the D&SNG, is a 3 foot narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates on 45.2 mi of track between Durango and Silverton in Colorado. The railway is a federally designated National Historic Landmark and was also designated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1968.

The route was originally opened in 1882 by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad to transport silver and gold ore mined from the San Juan Mountains. The line was an extension of the D&RG 3 foot narrow-gauge line from Antonito, Colorado to Durango. The last train to operate into Durango from the east was on December 6, 1968. The states of New Mexico and Colorado purchased 64 miles between Antonito and Chama, New Mexico, in 1970 and operates today as the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR). Trackage between Chama and Durango was removed by 1971.

The line from Durango to Silverton has run continuously since 1881, although it is now a tourist and heritage line hauling passengers and is one of the few places in the U.S. which has seen continuous use of steam locomotives. In March 1981, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad sold the line and the D&SNG was formed. Today, the D&SNG, along with the C&TSRR, are the only two remaining parts of the former D&RGW narrow-gauge network. The railroad has a total of nine narrow-gauge steam locomotives (eight of which are operational) and soon-to-be eleven narrow-gauge diesel locomotives, six of which were acquired within the last three years, in their current roster. The railroad also operates former D&RGW No. 315 for special events.

Some rolling stock dates back to the 1880s. Trains operate from Durango to the Cascade Wye in the winter months and Durango–Silverton during the summer months. Durango depot was built in January 1882 and has been preserved in its original form.

After World War II, domestic tourism began to grow across the country and the Silverton branch of the railroad would benefit. Bolstered by national exposure via Hollywood movies being filmed along the line in the late 1940's, the railroad created The Silverton, a summer-only train service on June 24, 1947. A short time later, the railroad adorned a locomotive and four coaches with a colorful yellow paint scheme and launched modest public promotion. With this effort, "The Painted Train" officially started a new era of tourism that continues to this day. Freight traffic, however, continued to decline and during the 1950s, The Silverton operated as a mixed train.

By the 1960's, a modernized D&RGW did not see the Silverton Branch as worthy to maintain and a petition was filed with governmental agencies to abandon the route. The Interstate Commerce Commission declined to grant the request due to the continued increase in tourist patronage. Following the ICC's ruling, the railroad reluctantly responded by investing in additional rolling stock, track maintenance, and improvements to the Durango depot. The railroad purchased some of the property around the depot, cleaned up the block extending north to Sixth Street, and facilitated the opening of gift shops and other tourist-friendly businesses. As ridership continued to grow, the D&RGW operated a second train to Silverton on certain days.

Since 1971, the Silverton branch and nearby Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad were the only remnants of the Rio Grande's once extensive narrow-gauge system. During the late 1970s, the D&RGW was actively trying to sell the Silverton branch, and in 1979, Charles Bradshaw, a Florida citrus grower, offered the railroad a legitimate opportunity to divest itself of the now isolated route. On October 5, 1980, The Silverton made its last run under D&RGW ownership and after operating a work train the following day, the railroad finally concluded its 3 foot narrow-gauge train operations, bringing to a close an era that began 110 years earlier with its narrow-gauge railroad from Denver o Colorado Springs.

The D&SNG was founded by Charles Bradshaw Jr., of Florida, with the intent of purchasing the right-of-way and equipment while expanding the infrastructure and passenger revenue. His plans were fulfilled with the March 25, 1981, acquisition of the D&RGW's 45-mile Silverton branch and all of its structures and rolling stock.

The improvements to the railroad in the 1980s would prove to be the most dramatic growth on the Silverton Branch since the earlier part of the century. Bolstered by the assistance of former Rio Grande operating managers and a relatively sizeable staff of new employees, Bradshaw's plans were set in motion immediately. Included in the sale were former D&RGW locomotives and rolling stock that had not seen service in Durango for many years. "K-36" and "K-37" class locomotives were eventually restored to operating condition and these larger class of engines operated to Silverton for the first time ever following bridge and right-of-way improvements to the line. 1880s vintage coaches were exquisitely restored and new coaches were added to the roster of rolling stock. For the first time in many years, doubleheaded trains (trains with two locomotives) and additional scheduled trains were employed to handle the continually growing passenger trade. The Durango yard facilities also saw dramatic improvements. An extension was added to the old roundhouse, a new car shop was built on the site of the original "car barn", and the depot saw extensive repair and internal modifications. The workforce grew with the railroad, and Durango's tourist image expanded as new businesses and revamping of the old railroad town continued to take shape. The original 1881 Durango roundhouse was completely destroyed by fire in the winter of 1989. All six operable locomotives had been inside at the time and were damaged, but not beyond repair. All locomotives were eventually restored to operating condition. A new roundhouse was constructed on the same site, opening in early 1990, and its facade made use of bricks salvaged from the original building.

In March 1997, Bradshaw sold the D&SNG to First American Railways, Inc., located in Hollywood, Florida. Then in July 1998, the railroad was sold again to American Heritage Railways. At the time, American Heritage Railways was headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida. Since then their headquarters have been moved to Durango, Colorado. The D&SNG has two museums, one each in Durango and Silverton.

Our 8:15 AM departure consisted of K-36 2-8-2 486, combination 213 "Bitter Creek Mine", coach 335 "Elk Park", coach 337 "San Juan", open car 400, concession 566, coach 323 {no name}, open car 402, open car 406, coach 631 "North Star" open car 410 "Rio Grande" and parlour car B-2 "Cinco Amimas". We departed promptly for the roundtrip to Silverton, Colorado, passing through downtown Durango behind the many stores and other buildings that line the tracks. The whistle sounded for every grade crossing and the steam of coal burning opened up one's nostrils.

The view to the west as we left Durango.

Our train crossing the Animas River for the first of many times today and we passed the Colorado Fish Hatchery.

We followed this bicycle and walking path that was not here on my last visit, nor were the condominiums. Durango had certainly grown since 1984.

More colour in the north valley wall.

The train passed Home Ranch siding north of the United Campground where my parents once stayed and the tracks still run through the middle of this unique campground.

A look back towards Durango as we were now out in the open countryside.

A look up the valley which we are travelling.

There was a sharp bend in the Animas River.

The tracks cross Fall Creek, after which we passed through Hermosa and crossed US Highway 550, starting to climb the grade.

Looking down into the valley.

Our engine climbing the grade.

Rounding a curve.

Milepost 465.

The valley floor was now way below.

Our train looked fantastic against the green back and foregrounds.

A look back at parlour car B-2 "Cinco Animas".

The train ran by Shalona Lake.

Passing the Rockwood sign.

We travelled through Rockwood.

A brief stop for passengers was made here, the last highway access to the line until Silverton.

Passing through the Rockwood Cut.

Starting across the "shelf" track.

We entered the San Juan National Forest.

The Animas River far below.

The Animas River signpost as we start across the "High Line".

The train always looks great on this section of the railroad.

Looking down at the Animas River.

The rear of the train.

A look back at where we just were.

A great view of the Animas River.

The train and the Animas River.

The Animas River.

The rear of our train.

Another look back.

Looking down towards the Animas River.

Continuing to climb up the grade.

It is a long way down.

Paralelling the Animas River.

Looking back once more.

Our second crossing of the Animas River on the High Bridge, an iron deck-truss bridge 130 feet long, built in 1880.

Our train was now rolling north.

The Animas River.

Passing Colorado-Ute Electric Association's Tacoma power plant.

The trip along the Animas River is one of the most beautiful runs in the entire United States.

I love looking at rapids and the Animas River Canyon has plenty.

Our engine continued to work hard, pulling our train up the grade along the Animas River.

The Animas River has a course of 126 miles.

The train kept climbing.

Looking back.

More rapids, after which we stopped at Tank Creek so the steam engine could take water.

The valley opened up to a small park setting where several movies have been filmed including a favorite of mine, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".

The Tall Timber Resort where ziplining from tree-to-tree is seen from the passing train.

Any person with a love of geology would love this train trip. I only wished Maureen Angle, my all-time favourite science teacher, could see all this.

A view ahead and a view behind.

A tumbling river and a hard-working steam engine made for a perfect day in my life.

The perfect spot for a picnic!

The train was closing in on Cascade Canyon.

Cascade Canyon where there is a wye that the trains use to turn around in the winter as they do not go to Silverton in the off-season.

One leg of the Cascade Canyon wye.

There was plenty of impressive geology on these mountains.

A look up a side canyon to the west.

Crossing the Animas River again.

The train continued to climb the grade as a heavy thunderstorm started.

Our train ran by the Cascade Siding signpost as it poured but everyone remained dry as the open cars have rooves on them to keep the sun or rain off.

Chris Parker enjoying himself on his first trip aboard the Durango & Silverton Railroad.