The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was voted as America's #1 Train Ride in 2022, justified by the wonderful and wild scenery of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. While the railroad's claim to fame is "The Silverton," another great way to view the scenery is on the "Cascade Express." The trip runs from Durango to Cascade and back, only taking up about half the day. In early August 2022, these trips were pulled by K-36 482, working up through the Animas Canyon for photographers and tourists alike to enjoy. The unique whistle on 482 in this video is a custom built N&W experimental 3 chime.
The Durango & Silverton's history reaches far back into the 19th century, with the arrival of the Denver & Rio Grande Western in 1881. Within less than a year, the railroad replaced the Old Animas Toll Road to the mining town of Silverton. The Silverton Branch, as it was known, was prosperous until the panic of 1893. The future looked grim into the 1940s, but the rise domestic tourism in the US proved the branch was still a lucrative operation. The D&RGW kept the branch active until they sold the line to Charles Bradshaw in 1979, turning it into the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. In 2018, the railroad faced difficulties with wildfires and mudslides, resulting in the majority of their fleet being converted from coal to oil firing.
The motive power in this video is K-36 482, built in 1925 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. 482 served the Denver & Rio Grande Western from her delivery until her retirement in 1962. She sat idle at the Cumbres & Toltec from 1970 until 1991, when the Durango & Silverton traded her for K-37 497. 482 underwent major rebuilds and returned to service in May 1992. In December 2021, she was converted from coal to oil firing.
Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad:
www.durangotrain.com
Locations:
0:00 Hermosa Meadows
1:01 Lake Mountain Road
1:48 Shalona Lake
3:46 The Highline
9:28 Hermosa, CO
10:04 Home Ranch
10:45 Junction Creek
Filmed on August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2022.
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©Train Chamber Productions 2022
All Rights Reserved
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2 июл 2024
