Plans are in the works to hook up these two railroads. Dose anyone know of the progress?
Where did you see / hear that ? I rode both lines last fall and there is a lot of ground between the two that would need to be laid. In Durango, most of the original right-of-way is commercial now.
Mark.
It was approved by dot from both states. Thats all I know.
Sounds pretty far fetched to me. Have any links to actual information on this approval ?
Mark.
Interesting, but as noted, they aren’t that close together. Wonder if it may be that the two organisations are thinking of merging into one, rather than physically connecting the two rail lines?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the Cumbres & Toltec state funded and the Durango & Silverton is private ?
Mark.
Tracks Across Borders Byway
https://durangoherald.com/articles/60920-railroad-and-scenery-fans-rejoice
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Now that makes more sense … an automobile road along the original right-of-way. At least THAT sounds do-able.
Mark.
So it is more of a road than anything
For those that haven’t ridden the Durango Silverton you’re really missing a great experience. I’m not knocking the Cumbres & Toltec it’s very good but the trip up the Animas River to Silverton is terrific.
Before we moved from New Mexico to California we hit both of the Narrow Gauge Railroads many times. Several visits we were snowed on at Silverton in early June. Both rides are really a great experience!
Connecting the two Narrow Gauge railroads will be great.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
According to your link (from three years ago) the proposal is for a road, not tracks.
Mark.
You are correct Mark. I did more research and there are no plans to reconnect the two Narrow Gauge Railroads. The new Byway follows the D&RGW track right of way thus the name Tracks Across Borders Scenic and Historic Byway.
Sorry for the bad Info. Too bad it was incorrect, it would have been a great ride.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize th
I’ve tried to follow the original right-of-way using Google Earth and haven’t been too successful not knowing where to look. That map might be a bit more helpful.
Mark.
Well there is talk by certain people to do rail also. Rail is a big attraction in those parts. Seems steam is making a comeback, at least in the tourist trade. There are those that said the train attraction in Nevada near boulder was a dream but two years after I learned of it, it was done (the rich can do things like this). Now with that we will see if phase two (a bigger dream) will come thru. We live in the age of dreamers and unlike dreamers of the past, these people can get the funds. Seems phase two to Henderson has state approval. See if phase three will happen. Back to the original idea. Remember it is only 34 miles between the two at one point and there was a rail line at one point.
The more I read into this, it’s not even building a new road, but rather giving existing roads a classification of Byway … “Byways designation helps identify, interpret and protect significant and irreplaceable resources along its route”
Mark.