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Durango & Silverton Railroad several years ago.
The original railroad in Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway as far back as 1880. By 1882, the line
was fully operational, and a railroad existed between Durango and Silverton, Colorado. The narrow gauge line was primarily
constructed to haul silver and gold ore from the San Juan Mountains. Over the years, numerous branch lines were
constructed and this branch, called the Silverton branch was just one of a much a much larger narrow and standard gauge
system that later evolved in the Rio Grande mainline.
Having survived the closure of the mines, two world wars, and numerous natural disasters, the Silverton Branch was about
to be abandoned in 1947. It was then that the line began to operate primarily as a tourist line. In 1969 the D&RGW
abandoned the tracks south of Durango isolating the Silverton line and leaving the future of the line in question. But it was
later purchased and the name changed to the current Durango and Silverton Railroad. It would operate exclusively as a
narrow gauge tourist line. Several more steam engines were restored in the 1980s and the line began to prosper as a
tourist railroad.
In February, 1989, a fire completely devastated the railroad. The fire which began in the round house completely destroyed
the roundhouse and much of the facilities. All of the operating locomotives were inside and they were heavily damaged
along with all of the equipment. But everything was rebuilt and by the early 1990s, a brand new roundhouse, using some of
the original heavy timbers and brick was built along with a brand new machine shop and museum. The locomotives were
repaired and the line returned to full service, even better than before.
Recently, the line once again changed hands, but operates as a profitable tourist attraction over the 45 remaining miles of
narrow gauge track of the old Denver & Rio Grande, from Durango to Silverton. The line is the only railroad in the United
States to have continuously operated steam locomotives as the primary power, year round for more than 125 years!
This narrow guage locomotive is a Baldwin, 2-8-2, built in 1925. For a ton more info on this locomotive, including historical pictures, visit the
DRGW number 482 Data Page.
My Aunt and Uncle, Loydell and Geron Marcom visited the Durango and Silverton and took these pictures. These pictures were taken just prior
to the boarding of the train lead by # 482 in Durango, Colorado
Colorado. The railroad will make a 2 hour lay over here, before returning to Durango.
This narrow gauge locomotive is a Baldwin, 2-8-2, built in 1925. For a ton more info on this locomotive, including historical pictures, visit the
DRGW number 480 Data Page.
These are pictures of the number 480 loading up passengers in Silverton (I believe) and heading home for Durango. Note the one of the many
mine remains in the area that this railroad used to serve in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
sometimes run on this line, daily, year round.
This narrow guage locomotive is a Baldwin, 2-8-2, built in 1925. For a ton more info on this locomotive, including historical pictures, visit the
DRGW number 486 Data Page.
These are pictures of the number 486 loading up passengers in Durango and preparing for yet another run to Silverton.
This narrow gauge locomotive is a Baldwin, 2-8-2, built in 1925. For a ton more info on this locomotive, including historical pictures, visit the
DRGW number 481 Data Page.
481 is located inside the roundhouse shops. She is either being restored or undergoing some major servicing.
This narrow gauge locomotive is an American Locomotive, 2-8-2, built in 1923. For a ton more info on this locomotive, including historical
pictures, visit the DRGW number 473 Data Page.
473 is a little different than the other ones pictured. She was built by American Locomotive a few years earlier. These photos offer a view of the
turn table and roundhouse. The original roundhouse burnt down in 1989. It was rebuilt, using as much of the original heavy timbers and brick
as possible.
