Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - Oct 15 - 18th - Day 1 on the train.

Monday morning and out the door at 6 am, heading to the train station. Burrrr it's cold outside. After parking and walking to the station, we waited 40 minutes before boarding.

While I waited in line outside with the rest of the passengers, Ray took off for pictures of the steam engine in the dark. All of the Durango trains are converted from coal to oil apparently after a fire started on the tracks some years ago.

Our luggage was loaded on the boxcar with the help of Jennifer.

Switching Video.

PS ... Ray did take quite a few videos as we just love hearing the trains.

They started the switching, taking the 2 box cars over to the waiting freight train and hooking up. Then hooked coaches to the back of the freight train, so two steam engines and basically two trains joined together.

Finally at 7am we boarded and the train started moving shortly after. Good thing we wore warm clothes. These "old cars" do not have any heat. It took awhile for the concession car to open so we could get some hot chocolate.

I overheard a bunch of people and realized they were photographers who "chase trains" and were on this run before, so knew where the best pictures could be taken. I stuck close by for Ray's benefit. It's lovely on board, as they included us, giving us lots of info about how train charters run, when to get up in line to get out before the masses get off etc. By the end of the tour I'm a pro at pinning down the conductor as to how much time before stopping at the next photo stop, which side of the train to get off and which end of the car they were to get off. This made quite a difference in getting your "spot" to shoot as some of the stops were really tight, especially with 84 people. Then I would run to the open air car and tell Ray, so he could get back to grab all his gear and stand in line at the front with our 5 guys. Ray spent a lot of time in the open car.

They staged this 100th Anniversary K28 trip with a steam engine and a freight train that was attached to our steam engine with the passenger cars and caboose. They tried to make it as authentic as possible from early 1920's. I booked this trip last April to make sure we got on the tour.

In commemoration of our cherished K-28 locomotives turning 100-years old, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is pleased to offer a very rare and unique opportunity to experience an excursion from Durango to Silverton and return powered by two Alco K-28s. The helper will be cut in mid-train, recreating a look and train operating scenario that harkens back to earlier decades on the Denver & Rio Grande Western.The Silverton Train with mid train helper will operate October 16th and 17th. The two-day experience will offer the northbound mid-train helper with numerous run by opportunities to photograph and video this historical recreation. The consist will include a caboose, three coaches, gondola, concession car, and eight freight cars with livery backdated to a mid-1950s Denver and Rio Grande Western look.

There turned out to be 84 photographers on this train, 10 more than they said in an email to us. (82 as Katarina and I did not get off lol) You should have seen people scramble to get the "best spot" at each of the photo stops. Most were very courteous, but a few were very pushy getting in front of Ray after he was set in his spot with his tripod. I stayed on the train with another lady, Katarina, whose son is in the photographer group. We were in charge of making sure all windows were closed on the "film side" and we moved to the other side of the train or ducked to make sure we were not in the photos. 

There's quite a few professional photographers, mixed in with very good hobbiest photographers, and people like Ray who love taking pictures. He puts himself in the bottom category lol and I put him in the middle category. :)

About 15 people chose to "chase the train" to the Rockwood Depot and get on the train there. This is the last spot you can see the train from the highway until you get to Silverton. With a bunch of people in the car it did warm up considerably and by the time the sun shone through the windows, everyone peeled off clothes.

These next couple of pictures are from Durango to Rockwood Station. Gorgeous fall colours along the Animas River.

Granite Point

First photo stop is Granite Point. There's quite the scramble up the hillside for everyone to get up high enough for the best shot. One old gentleman did not make the climb as he slipped down on his butt. A conductor helped him stay put as he was blocking the path for everyone else to get up the hill.

There were quite a few people, young enough that were like mountain goats. lol

Yup, down for the count.

They did stand him up for the last drive by so he could at least get a picture. No one seemed to help anyone up the hill as they all wanted the best spot. Coming down all the guys helped the older crew who were struggling with slipping on all the downed needles on the hillside.

This is what they all wanted to see. We went by 3 times.

See the train bend around the corners.

Granite Point Movie - Ray occasionally had his camera lens in the video with his phone lol

The next stage is the climb to the summit at High Bridge. The average grade on the run is 2% and gets as high as 3.85%.

One guy perched on the opposite side of everyone else. They hike in from Rockpoint.

That's a looooonnnnggg way down!

We carried on to Tacoma and the Power Plant stop, where they had to split the train onto the sidings and make room for the scheduled train to go through behind us.

Old Power Plant

Back in the train to the Repeating Curves.

 Repeating Curves

Everyone trying to get the best spot.

Waiting to board after photo shoot.

On the way to Tall Timbers

Tall Timbers Photo Shoot

The two on the very right are Bry and Evan who we met in our car.

Tall Timbers to Cascade Canyon

Cascade Canyon Photo Shoot

Cascade Canyon to Goblin Fire

Goblin Fire Photo Shoot

Katarina and I are hiding in the last orange coach. In front of us is the Concession Car.

The Needles Photo Shoot

One guy on the train, George, he came here several years ago, got dropped off here and climbed 8 miles up to the base of the Needles and then climbed up to the 14,000 feet to the top. He said it just about did him in.

Waiting for the scheduled train to go by back to Durango. For some reason a single diesel locomotive preceeded the steam train.

The speedster in the back to make sure we don't start any fires.

The Needles Movie

Needles to Elk Park

Old Water Tower

We did stop at Needles for a water stop but not out of this tower.

Elk Park Photo Shoot

Elk Park Movie:

Elk Park to Animas River Bridge

Animas River Bridge Photo Shoot

Almost at Silverton

Old mine just outside of town.

We finally arrived in Silverton about 4:30 pm. It's a long day. After picking up our luggage from the baggage car we hoofed it up the 2 blocks to our hotel, The Grand Imperial Hotel. I'm so happy I "upgraded" to a gorgeous room, as a bunch of other people who stayed there cooked in their rooms overnight. We stayed a corner room, so I could open a window on each side for a cross-breeze and we were fine. The room was "period correct" as in all furnishings were beautiful antiques, but is refinished to look brand new.

Room 217 on the second floor.

The bed was so tall I moved the steps to my side so I could climb in. lol

Once we got settled in our room, Ray took off for some pictures while I wandered downstairs to the Saloon where our appetizer party will happen and order dinner afterwards. 

Ray's wandering pictures.

This restaurant was featured with Diner's Drive-in's and Dives.

Time for some food.

The saloon where we ate dinner.

Grand Imperial front desk

Established in 1883 as the Thomson Block, the Grand Imperial Hotel stood as the “Crown Jewel of Silverton”, the largest structure in Colorado outside of Denver. Established alongside the railroad during the mining years of the late 1800’s, the hotel became known for its luxury and stature, a sight to behold in the Colorado Rockies.

Resting in the same place for over 135 years, the hotel has changed hands and names over the course of its lifetime. In 2015 the Harper Family, owners of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, took on the impressive task of restoring this historical hotel to its previous grandeur.

Today, guests will find beautifully appointed rooms with breathtaking views and premium linens. The historical allure of the hotel is showcased in every detail from the grand staircase to the clawfoot tubs. The Grand Imperial Hotel is at the top of the list for travelers in Silverton, Colorado.

Downstairs, The Grand Restaurant and Saloon offers Old West charm with Western cuisine. A treat for locals and tourists alike, the live piano entertainment is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

We met a couple, Jim and Laurie, who travel all over taking pictures. Very interesting couple. We enjoyed a great dinner.

After dinner there's a presentation about the railway, but Ray couldn't sit anymore so we headed upstairs to our room. I think by 8:30 it's lights out. 

Tomorrow on the train again but a later start for 8:30 am.