Osier: Water for the horses. Baldwin K-36 #487 eases up to the old D&RG water tank at the depot in Osier Colorado. Once the home of a section crew, Osier was a convenient way-station for trains transiting between Chama, NM and Alamosa, CO. Back in the heyday of the D&RG, the railroad had significant facilities here, including a 50 ft. covered turntable. That turntable is long gone, but the depot, section house and water tank remain. The original tank in Osier was built in 1880 when the railroad first opened. It was replaced by the tank you see here around 1918. The present tank was last refurbished around 2000. I am told that the roof, the gallows, the spout and all of the metal fittings are original.
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.
