Steaming through the San Juans

Engine 480 passes through the aspens in September

Locomotive 480 coupled with the Rio Grande Coal tender

The D&SNGR has been in continual operation since 1881.

Blowing Steam

Engine 480 crosses the trestle in the early morning light

Steaming through the Meadow

Engine 480 is one of ten K-36 locomotives built in 1925. The 36 stands for 36,200 lbf of traction The company owns 4 K-36's, and all are operational!

Along the Animas

Durango & Silverton narrow gauge railroad pulling up the grade along the Animas River.

Engine 486 passes Engine 480 idling on the siding

This is a rarity on the line, since excursion trains don't normally cross paths. Engine 480 was transporting the annual autumn photography group of 70 individuals. The company allows the photographers to get off the train at certain locales, and photograph the train running through the autumn colors at full steam.

Baldwin Locomotive Works

Builders plate, The Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, Pa. USA, August 1925, #58587

Filling the water tank

Taking on water for the steam engine

Ready for the next run

Locomotive #486 frontal view with "cow catcher"

Negotiating the Curve

The narrow gauge tracks are only 3 feet apart, and the Animas River is a t the bottom of a very steep drop off.

Downgrade

After rounding the curve, 480 brakes on the downgrade