A slide on the Silverton. A Denver & Rio Grande Western mixed train runs south along the Animas River, past the site of a recent rock and mud slide. With the line nestled between steep canyon walls, such slides have always been a hazard on the old D&RGW Silverton Branch. Spring snow melts and summer thunderstorms have kept the MOW folks busy for over 130 years. Fortunately, the present day operator of the line, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, has access to some tools that their predecessors could only dream about. Motorized track speeders run ahead of each passenger train to verify that there are no surprises ahead, and powerful backhoes and bulldozers ensure that if mother nature does get angry, her wrath seldom closes the line for more than a day or two.
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.
