We almost missed the train from Durango to Silverton. Someone's Great Grandma was driving 30 in a 65 from Pagosa Springs to Durango, and the terrain made it illegal to pass her. Whether it was her senility or terrible eye sight that betrayed the 30 cars tailing her, we will never know.
The train itself was a lot of fun. The engine belched soot and whistled it's way to Silverton. It followed the scenic Animas river most of the way. At the end I didn't know if the tears welling up were from nostalgia or the ash embedded in my eyes. It was the ash. The ride was expensive, but highly recommended.
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A few minutes out of Durango |
Leaving Durango |
Stopped to check on something that apparently wasn't working...probably the brakes. | ||
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"He was probably sleeping on the tracks when we rolled over him" |
Getting rolling again |
leaving the valley |
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| That little punk...I slowly crowded him out of our area as he wasn't from our car. |
Animas River |
Next to the Animas |
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Near Silverton |
A parked train |
Getting off in Silverton |
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Old 482 |
Cooling off |
Silverton | ||
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| Our return bus. Take the bus back. The round trip rail ride is for diehard railroad connoisseurs and amateur historians only. | Molas Pass from the bus | Dinner in Durango | Overusing the letter 'S' would have driven sign costs through the roof; thus, it's use was limited. |
