Here comes the Silverton. In weather conditions that could best be described as "atmospheric", a Denver & Rio Grande Western, Silverton mixed train slowly snakes its way north through the Animas Canyon, bringing some freight loads and a few passengers on the 45-mile odyssey to the lonely mining community, deep in Colorado's San Juan Mountains.
This image was captured during an October 2024 photo shoot on Colorado's Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, organized by Trains Magazine. The event featured K-28 Locomotive #473, lettered as her long-lost sister, #477, which was acquired by the US Army during World War II for service on the White Pass & Yukon, and sadly did not survive her hard, Alaskan service. Our Silverton mixed is pictured here approaching the water stop at Tank Creek, at around Milepost 474.6.
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.
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.
