Just returned from Colorado fly fishing and the Grand Canyon. We took a neat train ride on an old steamer from Durango Co to Silverton, Co. Even found an old Hillside Lumber & Millwork Company O Scale building in an antique store in Silverton on the stop. Don’t know much about it, but being my layout is the lumber/timber scene it was a good find. Very detailed, would love to know more about who made it, etc.
Thanks again to all those who helped me with switch wiring dilemma, once I get rid of some Toyota Tundra lag, I’ll go back it with more questions I’m sure. Jake
You just visited my favorite part of Colorado. Was there last year and rode the train. Did you do the museum in Durango?
Yes we did, went through the museum, quite impressed! Jake
I rode that train as a kid with my family. We rode in the open car and was covered with coal soot by the end of the ride. It is a fantastic scenic ride. I am looking forward to taking my family on that train some time in the future. I too just got back from a Colorado vacation. We stayed in log cabins in Taylor Park near Tincup. I love that state.
For those of you considering this trip, DO IT! And, set aside another day to do the Cumbres-Toltec which is only a few hours east and south of Durango. We did a “train ride trip” in CO a few years ago and the Cumbres-Toltec was our favorite. However, Durango is an incredibly wonderful town just to hang out for a few days–several 4 star restaurants. In my opinion, south west Colorado is simply unbeatable.
And stuff like this just sits out in the open for everyone to see.
Please , kind sir , where is this water tower located ? thanks
And on the C&TS : Most definitely depart from Chama. Healthy ticket sales = double head power. Not so from Antonito.
When we rode the Cumbres Toltec it was just one engine pulling the cargo (people). We overnighted in Antonito and took a very comfortable tour bus in the morning (part of the ticket) to Chama and boarded the train. The tour bus driver was from the area and shared a wealth of information about the railroad and the area, really enjoyed that part of the day also.
Here’s a link to the Cumbres-Toltec, certainly worth a look.
http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/
Here’s a link to the Durango-Silverton, certainly worth a look.
http://www.durangotrain.com/
If you don’t like these links, you don’t like ice cream 
Great country, our daughter lives about an hour and a half from Durango so we have done that train ride, will try to convince my wife to do the Cumbres & Toltec the next time we visit. Or maybe will just do it with the SIL and grandson.
John–
When you get to do the Cumbres-Toltec be sure to start in Chama and move immediately to the open air car. They have a docent who is from the area and he is a wealth of information. Be sure to eat a light breakfast because the lunch provided is incredible, simply outstanding.
Wouldn’t it be fun to have a CTT Coffee Pot get together in Colorado and ride trains? The first week in September would be perfect, trust me, Heaven On Earth.
This water tank is sitting south of Telluride, Co on the old road bed of the Rio Grande Southern at Trout Lake. See this web page: http://drgw.free.fr/RGS/RGS-02-004_en.htm