DSNGRR

The DSNGRR is a modern-day remnant of the old Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad, which served the mountainous regions of Southwest Colorado and Northeast Nevada. The DRGW was famous for its scenic trackage, the train seemingly barely clinging to the side of the mountains as it hauled ore. Being a narrow gauge railroad (meaning, instead of the usual 4' 8.5" , this railroad has only 3-feet between the rails) it could take sharper turns and use smaller freight cars. Today the DSNGRR is a designated National Monument. The railroad has fully restored several steam engines and passenger cars, and runs scenic trips through the mountains all year long. The 45-mile trip from Durango to Silverton, Colorado, takes about 3 hours. After a two-hour layover in Silverton, the train heads back to Durango.
If you're curious, take a look at the train's website: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

	Here's engine 480 on the turntable the evening before our trip. Turned out that this was the same engine that would pull our train the next day.
The next morning engine 480 had her fire fully stoked, and headed out to hook up with our train, seen here waiting on the left. Through a stroke of luck I was able to spend the majority of the trip up front in the baggage compartment, having access to both sides of the car, plus a magnificent view of the steam engine out the window in this door.
	Much of the trackage of the DSNGRR follows the Animas River. Here the train is several hundred feet above the water.
As the train rises higher and higher in the mountains, it climbs past some precipitous ravines. Here's a view ahead of the train... and...
	...a view taken from the location above, of the back of our train. At this point we're about 10,000 feet above sea level.
The train makes two water stops along the way. The fireman hops out of the engine, pulls down the water spout, and fills the tender to the brim.
	As the train approaches Silverton, it passes directly over the Animas River on these picturesque bridges.
A shot of Renay and me, taken at Silverton, ready to return to Durango again.
	This gorgeous view is, unfortunately, nowhere near the DSNGRR. This picture postcard shot of the Maroon Bells mountains was taken later on our vacation during a hike outside of Aspen, Colorado.


*Construction shots:*	Benchwork \| Scenery \| Finished Scenes
*Layout:*	Trackplan & Specs
*Misc:*	The Road to MMR \| Articles I've written Durango & Silverton RR Shots \|About Me

In October, 1999, we took a trip to Colorado. During part of that trip, we visited the famed Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Here are a few pictures from that train ride.

In October, 1999, we took a trip to Colorado. During part of that trip,
we visited the famed Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Here are a few pictures from that train ride.