I’m taking a bit of liberty, posting about a real railroad here, but I just wanted to share that I finally got to ride this deservedly famous line on Jan.2. Took my family on a cross-country trip over 2 weeks, the cold snap made travelling and staying in a rattly, drafty rental RV less fun than we hoped, but getting to experience this (plus the Grand Canyon) was well worth the trip. A few photos my son took, but a still photo just doesn’t convey how dramatic that high-line section is.
Suffice to say, everyone who has an interest in steam railroads, narrow gauge, or breathtaking scenery, needs to make sure they get to Durango before their time’s up. Going in, $50 seems like a lot of money for a train ride. Afterward, I felt like it was the greatest bargain. Only downside is, any other heritage railroad might be ruined for me now.
Thanks for posting the photos, Bill. I was in Durango when I was 15 (that’s been just a few years ago). That was one of the last vacations I took with my parents. We did not take the train, but visited the yard and roundhouse. I still have a couple of pictures of my dad and I beside locomotive #473, which was steamed up and still in D&RGW paint. I’d like to return and take the train ride with my wife. Then ,as we are both backpackers, it would be nice to hike into the Chicago Basin for a couple of days. Awesome scenery in that part of Colorado.
PhillyBill - thanks for sharing these spectacular views with us. Your pictures brought back fond memories on a trip from Durango to Silverton, back in 1974, when the line was still operated by the D&RGW. I was impressed by the sheer size of those K-36 and K-37 locos, which were just the same size as the standard gauge freight steamers I saw in Germany during my boyhood days.
Nice photos! I didn’t realise the D&S operated the steamers in the winter time. I’ve ridden on it twice in the past, but both times were in the summertime. No problem hanging out the windows or standing in the vestibules taking photos then. Sure does look different in the winter.
The Durango and Silverton has been around as a tourist attraction for as long as I can remember. Your comment in the last paragraph seems to indicate you think their future is iffy. Is that really the case?
I’ve done the D&S twice, and I sure recommend it as a “must do” for anyone interested in trains - real or model. While the bright cars and relatively “modern” facilities might seem to take away from the “realism” to some (as compared to the Cumbres & Toltec) , the locos truly have to struggle to get you from one place to the other. And as far as scenery is concerned, it is top notch!
Ha, the only thing the D&S lacks is that fabulous turkey dinner the C&T serves at Osier - its halfway lunch stop!
Both are truly terrific, and well worth the money!
Thanks to all for your comments. I purchased their book & DVD set, and the book has quite a detailed history. The railroad began cultivating the tourist and sightseeing trade way back in the 19th century and has been operating ever since, although at times in the 50’s, while the D&RG was struggling, the company wasn’t real enthusiastic, but it’s in great shape now.
Many years ago, they used to try to keep the line open to Silverton, but now, in winter, they only run to Cascade Canyon, then turn the train on a wye. That stretch, of course, does include the high line, where the train goes VERRRY slow.
Another nice thing about the winter train is that no one bought tickets to the open cars, so shortly after we left the station, our car was all full and the windows steaming up, and the conductor came in and said we should feel free to move around to other cars and spread out, as well as the open cars. I suspect in summer the open cars sell out first. We ended up spending most of the trip in the open cars because despite the freezing temp, the experience was just so spectacular in the open air.
Not at all - my comment was ambiguous, when I said people should do it before their time’s up, I meant the people’s time – not the railroad’s.[;)]
That’s a good point. The other problem is, what I was feeling afterwards, now that I’ve ridden the D&S, every other excursion / heritage / tourist line is ruined for me.
But, I guess I can go back in the summer and ride it all the way to Silverton!
We rode it last spring, not quite as cold in the lower elevations, still only went to Copper Canyon. This is one of the pictures that my daughter took.
I think he was mentioning before “our” time is up, not the railroad’s. The D&S seems to be very happy and healthy. Rode it a year ago during the Fall–absolutely SPECTACULAR! It’s some of the best $50 I’ve ever spent, believe me!
And if you’re an old Western Railroad movie buff like I am, it’s like visiting the Saturday Matinee at the theater, only with real smoke, LOL! I can’t wait to go back.
