Up from the canyon.... A little over a mile and a half from the end of track in Silverton, CO, D&RGW K-37 #493 emerges from the Animas Canyon, crossing the river of the same name for the final time on her northbound trip. This so-called "Timber Bridge" at Milepost 495.25 is the last of 7 crossings that the trains make during the journey from Durango to Silverton, and from my perspective, the most photogenic, if caught in the right light. Sadly, the railroad has indicated that this long-standing relic is about to be replaced with something more robust, made of steel and concrete. While the scenery won't change much, such a structure will certainly have a different character than this one. I am told that like the situation at "Twin Bridges", a little over 5 miles south of here, the legacy bridge will simply be left in place and the new one built beside it. It won't have the serene and simple wilderness look that you see here. I am so glad that I was able to capture a Silverton Mixed here, just one last time.
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.
