Nose to nose in Silverton. On a beautiful summer evening in Silverton, Colorado, two different classes of Denver & Rio Grande Western steam locomotives sit nose to nose in the yard at around MP 496.70, after a day of photography excursions associated with the Durango & Silverton's Railfest 2010. On the right, nearest the camera, we see DRGW C-18 Class #315, a Baldwin Consolidation built in 1895, and on the left, is DRGW (now DSNG) K-28 Class #473, an Alco Mikado built in 1923. I have vivid recollections of this particular evening being nothing less than a photographic bonanza, because the light on the equipment and the surrounding hills was gorgeous, and there were three special trains moving about, preparing for a night photo session. The 473 was coupled to train of passenger cars painted DRGW green and lettered appropriately, while 315 had a short freight behind her. The third train, which was about to arrive from an excursion to Elk Park when this photo was taken, had Eureka & Palisade #4, an 1875-era, wood-burning 4-4-0 as the power. The little pile of wood you see in the foreground here is what remained after E&P #4 had refueled right here, earlier in the day.
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.
