Durango & Silverton Railfest 2005

Railfest is the Durango & Silverton’s annual event catering to railfans specifically, at least moreso than their regular tourist-centric operations. Every year since 1998, the D&S has rolled out the red carpet for fans and operated an assortment of interesting, historic equipment, including the Eureka & Palisades #4 (a 4-4-0), various Galloping Geese, narrow gauge motorcars, and special runs of the D&aamp;S’s own equipment. 2005 would yield a couple of special trains, RGS Goose 5, and motorcar runs, but the E&P #4 would take the year off due to FRA paperwork snags. Still, based on past years, it would still be a stellar few days of railfanning.

Railfest 2005 ran from August 24th through the 28th. Originally, I hadn’t planned to attend, as I thought I’d be out of town. However, a few days before, everything got up-ended, and the weekend was open. Unfortunately that meant I didn’t have time to still get tickets on the Goose (booked full), but at least I’d get to see it. So, at 0400h onFriday morning, I was out of bed, packed, dressed, and on my way over to Durango. I decided to head down on Friday, since three days of shooting would give me a better chance at covering the wide variety of things happening. Looking over the schedule the night before, my two primary goals were to catch Friday afternoon’s mixed photo special, and then to catch RGS Goose 5 on its way back to Durango on Sunday. Saturday had the so-called President’s Special and a few Goose trips out of Silverton to Elk Park, and of course all three days would have the usual two scheduled trains. More than enough material to keep my shutter clicking for the weekend.

Probably the most notable event of Railfest 2005 was the reincarnation of D&RGW 472. The real 472 was sent to the White Pass & Yukon as part of World War II. It was wrecked, and subsequently after the war, offered back to the DRGW. This was a little odd, since the rest of the K-28 class that was sent north to the WP&YR was cut up in Seattle, without ever reaching home rails again. The DRGW didn’t want it, so it was scrapped at Ogden in June of 1946. Its boiler survived for many years at the Army’s Pueblo Ordnance Depot, however. Three K-28s survived the Army – 473, 476, and 478 – and today, all three are owned by the Durango & Silverton. For Railfest, the D&S repainted 478 into a green boiler scheme, similar to what the Rio Grande used on various steamers, and renumbered it to the long lost 472. Its first appearance was on Friday’s photo mixed, and you could literally see the surprise in peoples’ faces as they saw the unit for the first time. Truly a special, memorable thing for the D&S to have done, much like the bumblebee scheme applied last year. The rumor is that it will remain in this paint until the end of September, probably on account of Trains Unlimited’s photo freights at the end of the month.

Aside from the rain every afternoon and the resulting cloud cover, the trip was a success. I managed to catch pretty much everything I wanted, and the best part was that it was so much more fun than chasing mainline steam. For the most part, everyone behaved themselves and was quite courteous towards their fellow photographers, leading to an enjoyable, rather than frustrating experience. Saturday morning at Shalona Lake was the best organized, best behaved impromptu photo line I’d ever seen. Add to that the first class operation that the Durango & Silverton puts on and it was a great weekend. Well done to all involved!

Since any narrative of this trip would basically involve a sequence of running up and down between Silverton, the Shalona Lake crossing, and various points below Hermosa, I’ll spare you the boredom and monotony. What follows are the 63 pictures that best tell the story of Railfest 2005, from my camera’s point of view. Enjoy!

Friday, August 26

Goose 5 arrives Silverton around 1330h on Friday, 26-Aug-2005, against a backdrop of nasty weather over Red Mountain Pass.

The regional NARCOA group had arrived in town sometime before the Goose, and met RGS 5 at the Silverton siding.

A better look at the motorcar lineup, lead by Durango & Silverton 333 (presumably as a pilot car)

Also in town were the two regular daily trains and a helper unit that had double-headed that morning

I couldn't stay in Silverton long, as back in Durango, this photo special - a mixed freight - was due to depart at 1445h. — I couldn’t stay in Silverton long, as back in Durango, this photo special – a mixed freight – was due to depart at 1445h.

Note that it's lead by DSNG 472, a K-28. This is not the real 472, as it was scrapped right after World War II. This is 478, dressed up by the D&S for Railfest 2005. — Note that it’s lead by DSNG 472, a K-28. This is not the real 472, as it was scrapped right after World War II. This is 478, dressed up by the D&S for Railfest 2005.

And of course, no photo mixed comes without its photo entourage... — And of course, no photo mixed comes without its photo entourage…

"472" and the mixed roll right along next to US 550 on the way to Hermosa — “472” and the mixed roll right along next to US 550 on the way to Hermosa

The best prop of all was this late 1930s (1938, I think) Chevrolet Master Business Coupe, riding on DSNG 6522

After stopping to take water at Hermosa, 472 starts the climb up to Rockwood under overcast skies

By the Shalona Lake crossing, the skies are clearer, allowing for a better look at the green boiler jacket

If you can blot out the DSNG reporting marks, it's almost like the good old days. From here, the special will go on towards Cascade, stopping many times for run-bys, and eventually return to Durango around 2200h — If you can blot out the DSNG reporting marks, it’s almost like the good old days. From here, the special will go on towards Cascade, stopping many times for run-bys, and eventually return to Durango around 2200h

And of course there's the obligatory fire patrol speeder running along behind, in this case DSNG 9000 — And of course there’s the obligatory fire patrol speeder running along behind, in this case DSNG 9000

A few minutes later, having met the special at Rockwood, the day's first regularly-scheduled train shows up headed downhill behind 482 at the Shalona Lake crossing — A few minutes later, having met the special at Rockwood, the day’s first regularly-scheduled train shows up headed downhill behind 482 at the Shalona Lake crossing

Exactly fifteen minutes later, here comes helper 486, towing boxcar DSNG 3681

And finally, fifteen minutes after the helper, 481 shows up with the second (and last) scheduled train for the day

Out from under the clouds and rain, we catch up with extra 486 again, clipping along just south of Hermosa. The pole to the right is a distinct style built by the Telluride Power Company years ago, and is as much of a relic as the locomotive or railroad.

Back up the hill (the whole day felt like doing laps), we catch 481 and the regular train coming through the S-curve just above the US 550 crossing at Hermosa (and it's raining again) — Back up the hill (the whole day felt like doing laps), we catch 481 and the regular train coming through the S-curve just above the US 550 crossing at Hermosa (and it’s raining again)

The last train into Durango in daylight on Friday is the regular behind 481, seen here crossing the Animas River.

Saturday, August 27

I slept in a bit on Saturday, so I only caught up to the first scheduled train (powered by DSNG 481) at Hermosa, after it had stopped to take on water

Backtracking, I found the second train well underway when I photographed it a few miles south of Hermosa

The prize for the day was DSNG 472 (really 478) pulling the Presidential Special up to Silverton, about fifteen minutes behind the second regular out of Durango

After the special blew through Hermosa without taking water, I headed up to the Shalona Lake crossing. First to get there was the second regular train, with helper 482 added after Hermosa for a double header

Again, clip out the yellow passenger cars and replace DSNG with DRGW in your mind, and it's almost as if the Silverton branch is still alive with revenue freights — Again, clip out the yellow passenger cars and replace DSNG with DRGW in your mind, and it’s almost as if the Silverton branch is still alive with revenue freights

A few minutes behind the regular, here comes the Presidents Special

The trailing car is DSNG B-7, the General Palmer. The drumhead on the back identifies this as Mr. Al Harper's personal car (and, indeed, he's on this train) — The trailing car is DSNG B-7, the General Palmer. The drumhead on the back identifies this as Mr. Al Harper’s personal car (and, indeed, he’s on this train)

With no further road access to the line until near Silverton, I headed on up the road. Once in Silverton, it gave me time to photograph Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose 5 and chat with the gentlemen running it.

A rear view of the Goose, open for public viewing. One of the most interesting things I learned was that the Galloping Goose Historical Society is trying to put back the RGS between Dolores and Mancos to run the Goose.

The front of the restored rear passenger compartment on RGS 5

A look at the Goose's controls - pretty standard 1930s automotive stuff — A look at the Goose’s controls – pretty standard 1930s automotive stuff

A kindred spirit to the Goose was the Silverton Northern's 1, the Casey Jones. It's preserved at Silverton — A kindred spirit to the Goose was the Silverton Northern’s 1, the Casey Jones. It’s preserved at Silverton

And how to you move SN 1? With a lot of railfans... — And how to you move SN 1? With a lot of railfans…

The first regular passenger train of the day arrives at Silverton behind 481

About thirty minutes later (which passed quickly, shooting the bull with the Goose guys), the second train rolls in behind the 482-486 double-header.

After a while, 472 rolls in with the President's Special, which pulls into the spur holding the Goose. At least I got to ride the 100 yard move the Goose had to make to get out of the way. — After a while, 472 rolls in with the President’s Special, which pulls into the spur holding the Goose. At least I got to ride the 100 yard move the Goose had to make to get out of the way.

Once all the trains were in town and the passengers unloaded, they pulled them all up to the depot. The two regular trains were nose to nose, as were RGS Goose 5 and DSNG 472 with the special.

The President's Special sits nose-to-nose with RGS Goose 5 at Silverton on Saturday, 27-Aug-2005 — The President’s Special sits nose-to-nose with RGS Goose 5 at Silverton on Saturday, 27-Aug-2005

The earlier scheduled train, pointed south during the four train photo lineup.

After the photo lineup, the President's Special was parked downtown. While there was a lull in the action, I grabbed lunch at Natalia's. Meanwhile outside, the afternoon clouds and rain settled in. — After the photo lineup, the President’s Special was parked downtown. While there was a lull in the action, I grabbed lunch at Natalia’s. Meanwhile outside, the afternoon clouds and rain settled in.

Another look at DSNG B-7, the General Palmer

Around 1530h, after the regulars had both departed, the President's Special accelerates out of Silverton for the trip back to Durango — Around 1530h, after the regulars had both departed, the President’s Special accelerates out of Silverton for the trip back to Durango

One of my favorite DRGW locomotives, a K-37 class, languishes in the Silverton yard. DRGW 493 is the only K-37 on the D&S, and really is too large for the Silverton branch.

A fake DRGW 01511 sits in Silverton just down from the depot. This is really ATSF 999250. Still, the paint looks great!

After all the trains have departed, Goose 5 gets ready to make its Saturday afternoon run down to Elk Park and back.

Passengers aboard, there she goes. They'll take her down to the wye and turn the Goose around for the run down the canyon. — Passengers aboard, there she goes. They’ll take her down to the wye and turn the Goose around for the run down the canyon.

An overview of Silverton from far above, showing the Silverton branch and yard. The Goose is on the wye's tail track, if you look closely. — An overview of Silverton from far above, showing the Silverton branch and yard. The Goose is on the wye’s tail track, if you look closely.

Heading out of Silverton, we see the Goose far below US 550, running along the banks of the Animas River.

And a few seconds later, it crosses the famous low bridge just south of town. Dang power cables... — And a few seconds later, it crosses the famous low bridge just south of town. Dang power cables…

Back on the other end of the line, we see the second scheduled train coming past the Hermosa tank and bridge, headed south for Durango.

Finally, just before the sun slipped behind the mountains, the President's Special makes an appearance at Hermosa. — Finally, just before the sun slipped behind the mountains, the President’s Special makes an appearance at Hermosa.

Sunday, August 28

On Sunday I was really lazy. I'd barely gotten out of bed by the time the second scheduled train passed my hotel. But, I pulled it together fast and shot up to Hermosa to catch 482 passing the tank. — On Sunday I was really lazy. I’d barely gotten out of bed by the time the second scheduled train passed my hotel. But, I pulled it together fast and shot up to Hermosa to catch 482 passing the tank.

Same train, seen this time at the Shalona Lake crossing.

The real reason I stuck around on Sunday was the Goose running from Silverton to Durango. Since it was scheduled to leave at 0900h, I figured I'd still make it home in good time. Nope... Here it is leaving Rockwood early at 1435h. — The real reason I stuck around on Sunday was the Goose running from Silverton to Durango. Since it was scheduled to leave at 0900h, I figured I’d still make it home in good time. Nope… Here it is leaving Rockwood early at 1435h.

Another in the rain at Rockwood, passing by the marshes

Goose 5 in miserable light at the Shalona Lake crossing

Seen again at Hermosa, having just cleared the US 550 grade crossing

A grab shot further down at Hermosa - a brief inspection stop allowed me time to do this... — A grab shot further down at Hermosa – a brief inspection stop allowed me time to do this…

And finally, crossing the Animas in the heart of Durango proper. Since it was nearly 1600h on Sunday, I really needed to start the 6 hour drive home at this point.

All photographs in this trip report were taken with a Canon EOS 10D using either a Canon 28-105mm USM or a Canon 75-300mm f4-5.3 IS/USM.

This work is copyright 2024 by Nathan D. Holmes, but all text and images are licensed and reusable under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license. Basically you’re welcome to use any of this as long as it’s not for commercial purposes, you credit me as the source, and you share any derivative works under the same license. I’d encourage others to consider similar licenses for their works.