Ride on the Durango & Silverton

[kschmidt]

Greetings,

I said would get around to this eventually, so here it is.  On my trip out west with my Dad we also rode the Durango & Silverton.  We did the round trip from Durango.  With Durango being a much larger town than Chama, NM accomodations and restaurants were not a problem.  Neither was the weather.

We rode the train on Sunday September 30, 2007 and the weather was perfect, albeit a bit nippy in the morning.  The temp when we got to the depot was 31, and we were riding in the open car, no windows.  But we survived.  We picked up the tickets at the depot and then we were on our way.

Unlike the C&T you are not allowed to wander around the yard and engine facilities.  They do offer a roundhouse tour at 10am for an extra cost and while both trains are gone.  Doesn't make alot of sense.  We were riding the first train out. 

The ride was beautiful, it was sunny and it did get warmer as we got closer to Silverton.  Being the first train we stopped for all of the flag stops were campers and the like can be picked up by the train enroute to Silverton. 

When we arrived in Silverton we ate the old whorehouse (now the Shady Lady).  Very good open face roast beef sandwich.  Walked around a bit and then headed back to Durango.  All in all a great trip. 

Now here are some photos.

Here is station at Durango, CO

The open gondola we would be riding in.  All seats on the train are reserved, but several people though the open car was open to all, but it wasn't bad. A bit chilly in the morning.

Some beautiful scenes not to far out of Durango

Approaching the most famous part of the Durango & Silverton the Animas River gorge. To get this view with reserved seats you have to be on the depot side leaving Durango.

The locomotive blows down on the Animas River bridge

Some spectacular scenery from the train as it now comes down and runs along the river.

An abandon mine greets train riders just outside of Silverton

The train on Main street Silverton.  After the train arrives and the passengers disembark. The train backs out and to the wye, the entire train is turned and the locomotive serviced.

The only paved street in Silverton. 

More scenery from the return trip.  I hope to post some more photos soon.  It was a great trip. The Aspens were just starting to turn. 

Keith Schmidt

 

[Mr_Ash]

nice pictures looks like you had a good trip

[J. Edgar]

awesome pics....love the scenery...i cant wait till i get out to CO and take the ride....someday...i hope

[spokyone]

I loved your photos Keith. Here is a couple of the water stops from June 2006


And a pic of the valley about 10 miles north of Durango.

[New Haven I-5]

Did you ride the K-28 478??

[kschmidt]

Yes,  our train was lead by #478.  The later train was lead by #486

Keith

[New Haven I-5]

Our train was supposed to be pulled by one of the Baldwin K-36's. But they fired up the Alco K-28 2-8-2.

[daveklepper]

Thanks for the report.   I last rode the line 45 years ago in 1962, run by the D&RGW at the time, on a Maurie KLeibolt Chicago RR Club excursion.  Very little change!   Great pictures.