MP 483 - Needle Creek Canyon. At around MP 483, our Silverton Mixed passes the confluence of Needle Creek and the Animas River. This location is a nice, open meadow and a great location to photograph trains. Unfortunately, unless you are willing to do some serious hiking, it is only readily accessible by train, pretty much requiring a photo charter if you want this shot. Fortunately, our photo charter this day is about as accurate a re-creation of a Silverton Mixed as can be done these days, with a K-28 "Sports Model" Locomotive, lettered for the Rio Grande, a few freight cars, complete with loads, three Grande Gold coaches and a DRGW Caboose.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
