On the shelf at Elbert Creek. Here's a wide view of Denver & Rio Grande Western K-37 Locomotive #493, as she brings her Silverton Mixed consist across the rock shelf above Elbert Creek at around Milepost 468.6, roughly half a mile south of Rockwood Station. The actual creek is below this frame at the bottom of the rocky slope in the foreground. On the far left, you can see a different body of water, which is Shalona Lake. This location is a great morning shot, regardless of whether or not the sun is out. In many ways, it is actually more scenic than the famous High Line Horseshoe about a mile ahead, and significantly easier to reach. From this camera position, you can hear the train coming for quite some distance, and you can shoot multiple views with both telephoto and wide angle lenses. Unfortunately, you often will not get smoke here, especially with the locomotives being recently converted to oil firing. On this particular day, we didn't have to get lucky, as we were participating in a Trains Magazine Charter, and the crew was well-prepared to put on a show as they passed us.
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.
