Durango & Silverton

[ezdays]

Took the tourist trip on the Durango & Silverton. We got lucky, this was the only day this week that it didn't rain. We also brought heavy jackets but it wasn't that cold. We did see snow, but high on some hills.

We left Durango as a double-header (480/473) steam until we got to the top of hill and took on water, then 480 went ahead because of the weight restrictions on one trestle. We then went double-header  into Silverton. On the way back, 473 took us all the way. We followed the river and at one point was 400 feet above it, and many times was so close to the edge, all we could see when we looked down was water. In many places, the rocks were shored up by old rails and bailing wire. At one point the engines let off steam. Seems like they use river water and need to get rid of the sediment that collects in the boiler.

All-in-all, the ride was a good one, a bit cramped since it was narrow gauge. The scenery was exceptional if you like hills and trees, which I do. The trip is about 3 1/2 hours each way. They stop running steam for the winter late October, and only go half way until Spring.

Here are some shots I took. My friend took some shots with me in them, but I couldn't believe I looked that decrepit and so I won't scare you all by posting any of those....