We'll be Comin' Round the Mountain, When we come....

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OK, we took over 170 pictures on the ride from Durango to Silverton and back. Instead of trying to select 3-5 for the previous blog, I opted to do a separate one of mostly pictures. But no picture, not even video, would be able to capture the smell of the coal burning car, the feel of cinders in the eye, the spray of steam as the engine released pressure, nor the bounce, sway, and rocking we experienced for 3.5 hours up and then 3.5 hours back.

We sat in a "cattle" car, open sided, but facing out. Yes, colder; but, more leg room, wider butt room and better views. When we got back, we definitely needed a shower for the coal dust and to warm up. But what a wonderful experience!!

When we got to Silverton, we had two hours to look around and grab some lunch. There were many good spots to eat, but we settled on a recommendation from the Conductor for a good Elk sandwich. It was good, but not as good as the buffalo.

The ride home we were on the opposite side of the car so we had different views. This time we could look straight down to the river far below. Yep, still cold, but it was fun. Hope the pictures give just a glimpse of the great ride we had.

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Photos

Open cattle car seating
Although cooler, it offered better seating and a superior viewing platform.

Passing our campground
About 5 miles out from town, we passed our campsite.

Pickup at small town
Part way into the ride, the train stops to pick up and let off passengers at a small town. It would make other stops to let off hikers at designated points.

Climbing the grade and over a bridge
This was taken from our car, and we were only back about 5 cars! Gives you an idea of what a tight turn this was.

Same curve, looking back
You can see the other "cattle" car and the first class passengers in the red cars behind them. We felt lucky because the food car was just behind us; easy to get more coffee quickly in the morning.

It's a LONG way down
This was a LOT of ledge between the rail and the edge. In some spots, you couldn't see any rock!

Venting pressure from the boiler
The steam created beautiful rainbows but also brought the droplets back to mix dampen anyone in the cattle cars.

Animas River valley
We followed the river from Durango up into Silverton while climbing almost 3,000 feet.

Water stop
We stopped twice on the way up to fill the boiler with water. The water is heated (by coal) to create steam, which powers the engine. It takes a lot of coal and water to get up the mountain.

Interior of a "standard" car
They did not appear to be having as much fun as we were in the outside car. Maybe they were crammed in a bit tight.

Changing colors
We had hues ranging from dark green of the firs to the light yellow of the aspen. Add to that the gray of the mountains and the white snow capped peaks and it was a wonderful natural rainbow of changing colors.

Approaching Silverton
This bridge used to be part of a spur going to the hills; it is not used any more.

Arriving in Silverton
Twice a day, a train arrives and passengers disembark to prowl the shops and eat at the various establishments. It is what keeps the town solvent, cause there sure is not a lot else there!

Comments

[Deborah Chamberlain]

Wow!
The photos are fabulous and I loved the look on Trish's face when she was sitting in the cattle car!

[Joyce]

"The Mountain"
How magnificent... what a wonderful experience...

[dad]

finLly
H

[Aunt Dosia]

Hope you were singing \"We\'ll be coming around...\" Thanks for all the photos. I could almost feel cinders and smell smoke. Any further thoughts re: when you will be in Phoenix??? Eager to see Josh and boys on Thursday. Love- me