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Durango & Silverton to be added to Cumbres & Toltec?

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  • From: Ontario Canada
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Posted by Mark R. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 1:50 PM

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.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

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Posted by rrebell on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 10:50 AM

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.

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Posted by Mark R. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 10:12 AM

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.

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Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 10:02 AM

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   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by Mark R. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 9:39 AM

According to your link (from three years ago) the proposal is for a road, not tracks.

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

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Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 9:36 AM

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
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by NVSRR on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 9:08 AM

So it is more of a road than anything

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

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Posted by Mark R. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 9:07 AM

Now that makes more sense .... an automobile road along the original right-of-way. At least THAT sounds do-able.

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

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Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 8:52 AM

Tracks Across Borders Byway
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
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  • From: Ontario Canada
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Posted by Mark R. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 8:52 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Cumbres & Toltec state funded and the Durango & Silverton is private ?

Mark.

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Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 8:41 AM

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?

Stix
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Posted by Mark R. on Monday, April 16, 2018 11:26 PM

Sounds pretty far fetched to me. Have any links to actual information on this approval ?

Mark.

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Posted by rrebell on Monday, April 16, 2018 11:13 PM

It was approved by dot from both states. Thats all I know.

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Posted by Mark R. on Monday, April 16, 2018 7:45 PM

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.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

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Durango & Silverton to be added to Cumbres & Toltec?
Posted by rrebell on Monday, April 16, 2018 6:50 PM

Plans are in the works to hook up these two railroads. Dose anyone know of the progress?

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