We love the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. It’s what brought us to Durango Colorado for the first time over 20 years ago. It is still an icon of Southwest Colorado in spite of the devastating 2018 fire no doubt started by one of their coal burning steam locomotives. Recently the Federal Government filed suit against the railroad for starting the fire. No one doubts they started it and will have to settle. In the meantime people in the community continue to honk and wave to the train and know its bringing prosperity to the town. The D and S is making changes to reduce the chance of another fire including converting a locomotive to burn oil and running diesels on occasion when fire danger is high. They also have a greater fire fighting capability on the speeders following the train to catch small fires. For years the train has more than offset their carbon footprint with tree plantings and other activities. No one wants the train to go away.
Meanwhile… ridership is up this year. Colorado had a tremendous amount of snow this past winter and we have never seen so many waterfalls. And avalanches! The first train to Silverton in April found 60 (thats right, sixty) feet of snow covering the tracks at one point. The ride is still spectacular.
We hope the D and S survives this latest disaster. Its been running since 1880 and we hope it continues far into the future.
What beautiful pictures. You have such a good eye. Glad the “D and S” will ride on despite having to pay for their hazard.
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I rode that train, loved it, and seeing/exploring Silvertown!
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I mean Silverton. Silvertown was where Joe Dirt got dumped off by his parents!
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Love your post! We had hoped to ride the train when we were there 3 years ago, but weren’t able to. I know how Randy loves trains and so glad to see it’s still running after last year!
Travel safe!
Terri
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