The last leaves of autumn still cling to the trees in the Animas River Valley long after the aspen are bare up at the higher elevations around Silverton.
An early autumn snow coats the ground as one of the Durango & Silverton's last trains of the season hugs the banks of the Animas River on its final approach to Silverton.
The drama of the Durango & Silverton's highline is on full display as 480 crawls along the impossibly narrow shelf track high above the Animas River.
No. 480 emerges from the Animas Canyon on its first run to Silverton as an oil burner.
Steam powered freight survives in the Animas Valley as #480 returns home after its first Silverton test run since converting to oil.
After making its first test run to Silverton since converting to burn oil, #480 crosses the Animas River on its return trip to Durango
