Steamscape: Whitehead Gulch. An Alco K-28 "Sports Model" takes the curve at Whitehead Gulch as she hauls one of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad's annual Fall Photo Specials north toward Silverton. Located about 5 miles south of town, Whitehead Gulch is the former site of a watering station for D&RGW locomotives. It utilized a wooden flume and spout, and was in existence for about 50 years until a flood washed it away in 1970. This is a difficult spot to shoot, as it is big-time backlit for most of the hours when the sun is out. I admit to having been less-than-enthusiastic about this location (OK, grumpy is probably a better description!) at the time this shot was taken, and I have fiddled with it for nearly two years using different software packages, but the end result is actually something I like. Hopefully, the back-light fans out there will agree!
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.
