Steam & Excursion > Audio Portrait - The last Train on the Silverton Branch

By the end of the summer of 1980, the sale of the D&RGW Silverton Branch to Charles Bradshaw was a done deal.  In fact, it was supposed to have transpired the previous spring, but regulatory delays kept it from taking place before the scheduled late May opening so the Rio Grande operated the Silverton Branch for one more summer.  The day after the final D&RGW train operated to Silverton, engineer Carl Jack took 473 out of Durango and up into the Animas Canon one final time with a short work train to pick up some off-track equipment near Tacoma.  When 473 tied up that afternoon, the 110 year old era of narrow gauge steam operation by a Class One railroad ended.

1. 473 spent about 2 hours switching around the Durango Yard before departing mid-morning with and empty steel flat, 2 empty drop bottom gondolas and a caboose.  Here we catch 473 shuffling out of Durango for the last time under D&RGW ownership. 

2.  At Hermosa, a stop was made to set out the 2 drop bottom gons, leaving only the flat and caboose.  With fairly constant audio harrassement from the busy highway, 473 departs Hermosa and heads up the 2.5% grade toward Rockwood.

3. Just south of Rockwood, Elbert Creek forms a beautiful little canyon overlooking Shalona Lake.  The creek itself creates significant background noise, but when 473 pops around the corner, her exhaust creates a great echo off the surrounding cliffs as she passes into the history books.

Other Audio Portraits...
Audio Portrait - Sierra Railroad #2 (video 10.36MB)
Audio Portrait - Sierra Railroad #28 (video 13.76MB)
Audio Portrait - Texas & Pacific #316 "Doubleheader" (video 7.42MB)
Audio Portrait - Sierra Railroad #34 (video 17.54MB)


 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/09/16 21:16 by Earlk.

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Fantastic!! Thanks for sharing this, Earl....much appreciated!

Phil B

7 seconds is all I heard.

Fixed.......

I hope.....

damned technolgy...............