Sept 24 Durango Silverton Train

The narrow gauge railroad from Durango to Silverton offers daily passenger trips.  It just recently reopened after shutdowns due to washouts of the track and summer fires.  Genuine steam engines and flashy fall colors make for an interesting trip.  We took over 2500 pictures during the train ride, so it took some time to pick out the best.  And then wifi performance wasn't great in the National Parks (yet to come), so it's been awhile since I posted.

Seen at the Mac's where we had breakfast before boarding (it's right next to the station).  You're not prepared for the backcountry of rugged Colorado without your tent, sleeping bag, food and Cuisinart.

 Coal burning with cinders flying, the train consumes about 5 tons of coal in a trip -- shoveled by the fireman up in the engine.

 All aboard and ready to roll

 Just getting started, still in Hermosa Valley.

 Everybody loves to see the train go by

 Part of the washout -- that used to be two tennis courts. 

 Train photography is a big event as we go by

 We rode in the Silver Vista car with plexiglass paneled roof.  We had a porter, Dakotah, serving drinks and commentary during the ride.

 The train follows the Animas River

 We made a stop in the wilderness to drop off some hikers.

 High enough for the aspen to show

 The train stops for two hours in Silverton allowing time for lunch.  We went to Handlebars, notable for its food and pithy sayings.

 Main street Silverton after the movie shooting.  Wonder how many storefronts have new paint?

 Heading back down away from Silverton, these were serious photographers.  They even had a drone up photographing us.

 Three times during the trip the trains stops for water.  The fireman takes a break from shoveling coal to pull down the spout and load up on water.

 One reason for narrow gauge railroads is the cuts through the hill can be narrower.  Little extra cutting was done here.

 A couple of young horses were running in the field.

 Back to Durango