Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge

5 June 2002 - A beautiful day in southwest Colorado and a grand day to ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway.

On our way north out of Durango, headed for Silverton. Up at the front of our train is K-36 class 2-8-2 #486.

For most of the way, the railroad parallels the Animas River.

Along the way the train passes relics such as this old water tank.

Here we are in Silverton. We have a couple of hours to wander the town, have some lunch....or if you're like me, head out to explore the railroad side of town.

The other side of our train. #486 will shortly back out to the large wye on the outskirts of town to turn the train.

The next train to arrive at Silverton after us was this double-header with two 2-8-2's: K-28 class #473 and K-36 class #481.

#473

#481

#493, on display in Silverton, is a K-37 class 2-8-2.

There is a lot of other rolling stock on display at Silverton, including this little burro crane...

these stock cars...

old box cars...

and tank cars.

#486 has turned our train on the wye and is backing back into town to load us for the return trip to Durango.

On our way back I spotted this string of boxcars on a siding.

There are plenty of opportunities for great shots of the train as we chug along the Animas River.

The next morning, as we headed north on US-550, we were able to get some shots of the morning train. Another double-header with K-28 class #473 and K-36 class #481.