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. It is one of the few locations within the Animas Canyon where you can see our entire train. 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.
