Steam & Excursion > A good day on the Narrow Gauge

Looking through my photos yesterday during some down time, I came across a great day from which I had processed almost no images. This thread attempts to rectify that error.

This is February 22, 2011, the second day of a two-day photo special on the Durango & Silverton organized by Dave Gross. The previous day had focused on the railroad's Pullman green consist, today would feature a freight consist.

1. We depart the Durango station at 7:30am.

2. Somewhere near Hermosa, we are at track speed.

3. The sun peeks over the mountains to the east.

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4. The kettle's on in caboose 0505.

5. This is me, looking at you, looking at me.

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As we approached Rockwood, the train (a "backward" passenger consist and caboose) stopped and the photographers detrained at the cliff face just south of the yard. The train then proceeded to Rockwood to pick up the freight cars. I was one of the few who followed the train into the yard to watch the switching.

6. Steve Wasiura releases the brakes on a gondola.

7. The conductor releases the brakes on a boxcar.

8. After switching is complete the train backs down and performs a runby.

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After the runby, there's more switching to prepare the train for the next photo opportunities.

9. Steve Wasiura relines the stub switch at Rockwood.

10. D&RGW 2-8-2 479 was requisitioned and sent to the WP&Y in Alaska, then scrapped after WWII, but a small reminder still survives.

11. Backing north from Rockwood, the conductor catches up on paperwork.

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12 and 13. The high line above the Animas River.

14. In the cuts between the high line and Rockwood.

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15 and 16. Inside caboose 0505.

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17. One of the areas completely washed away by the 1970 flood.

18. Departing Tank Creek at 2:01pm.

19. Apparently someone did not stock the caboose according to the instructions in the previous post, or perhaps the conductor didn't have time to get the proper form. No worries, a paper plate serves to confirm our train's authority to occupy the main track between Tank Creek and Durango from 1:48pm to 6:00pm.

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20. Between Tank Creek and Tacoma.

21 and 22. A brief rainbow at the high line at the start of a runby.

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Very nice..

Great photos as always John. Really like the ones of the crew working.

Very nice!

Excellent John!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

Excellent.

Nice work John.

Man, that's just cool!

Jason Rose
Spring, TX
Rio Grande Explorations

Thanks everyone.

A few more, from the day before:

23. The northern outskirts of Durango, along the river.

24. A bit south of Trimble.

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25 and 26. Just south of Rockwood.

27. Crossing the Animas River.

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28. The high line.

29. About to leave Tank Creek after taking water.

30. In the cuts near Rockwood.

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Wow!!!
Great, GREAT shots!

Very artistic, John, and the crew shots are just great.