The day of the "Grande" Finale
had finally arrived. We started this trip with a moonlight ride to
Osier and we were ending on the opposite end of the old San Juan
Extension with the Fall Photographer's Special on the Silverton
Branch. We arrived at the Durango depot shortly after dawn. It was,
of course, quite cold. But that good D&S coffee warmed us right up!
Please let me know if
you find mistakes -
RioGrandeDude @
SmittysHouse.net
Special thanks to D&SNGRR
Fireman Jon Walden for some of the information on this page. |
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The first half of the trip was a
straight shot (no stops) up to Silverton. The plan
was to get up
there, turn around, and head south to meet Trains 461 and
463 at Elk
Park. This arrangement was also supposed to give us
the best
light in the Animas River Canyon for the photo stops on the
way back. |
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Cascade Wye |
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At MP 496.15 the train dropped
us off on the south side
of the Animas and continued on
to the Silverton Wye. |
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Sure got quiet... |
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Narrow Gauge Ingenuity |
Michele's photo
My photo
Teamwork!! |
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Looking south, north
of Elk Park |
Extra 478 South heads to Elk
Park siding
to clear the main for Train 461. |
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It got quiet for about 30
minutes so Yvonne (Boxcar Betty) hiked south to Elk Park Siding to
check on the situation. I don't remember what the issue was, but
Train 461 came through about 15 minutes later. |
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461 heads for Silverton |
While waiting for our train to
back up and get us, I got a photo of the best gal anyone could ask
for! |
461's fire patrol |
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After picking us up, our train pulled
back into Elk Park Siding to wait for Train 463. I was busy getting
lunch for Michele and me and missed that 463 was coming. My email
pen-pal, and D&S Fireman, Jon Walden was scheduled to be on this
train. So, when I heard the whistle I jumped up, quickly handed my
lunch to Michele, grabbed the cameras, and raced to get set up in
the few seconds I had until 463 arrived. |
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Jon Walden |
Conductor Dan Bartch gives Train 463
a roll-by
on her way to
Silverton. |
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At MP 489.85 we did a run-by.
These first shots were taken using the old DRGW through-truss bridge
as a frame. |
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This "new" deck-plate bridge... |
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...replaced the old bridge,
built in 1884, in 1964. |
MP 484.4 |
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Our next stop was the original
Needleton Tank.
This tank has been superseded by a tank just north
of here. |
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Remnants of one of the 2
landslides the D&S
suffered this year. |
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Needleton Siding - MP 484 |
MP 479 |
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Chief Engineer Steve Otten |
Bitter Root Mine - MP 479.9 |
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Our crew, left to right:
Brakeman Dean Guinn
Attendant Dot Bodiroga
Conductor Dan Bartch
Fireman Jarrett Ireland
Engineer Steve Otten
Brakeman Eric Dixon. |
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The Crew & Volunteers |
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Tacoma Siding |
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I have heard these old cars may
finally get some TLC soon. |
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Replica of the Tacoma "Depot" |
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Crossing the High Bridge |
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Brakeman Dean Guinn |
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Our first photo op on the High
Line |
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A new wye is being constructed
at MP 456.85 to turn the Polar Express trains. |
We arrived at the Durango Depot
about an hour from dusk. The light was fantastic! But, for once I
left the camera in the bag and just enjoyed it. It was a fitting end to
an absolutely fantastic trip... enough memories for a lifetime.
We got some chow at Applebee's
and went back to the hotel early to begin packing for the trip home.
As we were leaving the Applebee's parking lot, Train 462 arrived.
What was a routine, everyday event in Durango struck me as utterly
amazing. I don't think I'll ever take for granted the sight of a steam
powered narrow gauge train pulling into town amid all the trappings
of the 21st century.
Simply amazing... |