While heading into Utah on our recent Sons of the Pioneers’ road trip we took a bit of time to look around Durango, Colorado, once again. They are still known for their amazing railroad operation, and of course, we had to check out the roundhouse facilities.
In 1880 the community of Durango, Colorado, was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. In early August 1881 the rail line arrived in Durango and in a record setting nine months, the line was completed north 45 miles to Silverton. Freight and passenger service was the reason for the line, as well as hauling silver and gold ore from the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Since the line opened in 1882, over $300 million in gold and silver have been transported. Immediately it was recognized as a scenic attraction, and that tradition continues today, as the railway hauls over 220,000 visitors a year!
Passengers today can take a trip in time and ride the historic narrow gauge railway with historic diesel locomotives or steam powered locomotives. In 1923, ten locomotives were delivered to Durango and put to work immediately. Two of them still operate today. Known as the K-28s, their tractive force is 28,000 pounds. These ten locomotives were numbered 470 through 479. They would become the pride of the fleet.
During World War II, seven of the ten locomotives were sent to Alaska for help in pipeline and highway projects. Durango kept locomotives 473, 476, and 478, which still operate today, with the exception of 478 which is now a museum display. These three units without a doubt hold the title of "most profitable" steam locomotives in the United States. What I found interesting when viewing these units a couple of weeks ago was their small size.
I was told by the experts at the roundhouse that the K-28s only can pull ten cars on the line to Silverton, and their larger K-36 and K-37 units can pull thirteen cars. For a round-trip to Silverton, these locomotives use an amazing 10,000 gallons of water and between 800 and 900 gallons of fuel oil.
I've always been impressed by narrow gauge, which was first introduced in the U.K. in 1865. Introduced in the United States during the 1870s, narrow gauge rails are three feet apart, while standard gauge rails are four feet, eight-and one-half inches apart. It was William J. Palmer, the builder of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, who chose the narrow gauge option for the line from Durango to Silverton. Because of the steeper grades and sharper curves, this was a much better option for this mountainous region and overall would reduce the construction cost.
As locomotives 473 and 476 were getting close to their Centennial celebrations recently, fuel conversions were completed on both units. They no longer burn coal, instead they burn reclaimed fuel oil. With their frequent maintenance schedules, these awesome machines will keeping working for years to come.
You have very likely seen the famous K-28s in a number of Hollywood films over the years. Their first appearance was in the 1949 feature "Colorado Territory," starring Joel McCrea. Later films such has "How the West Was Won" in 1963 as well as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" from 1969 have brought the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad much popularity. Recently the Railroad starred in the 2022 release of "Hostile Territory," which starred Matt McCoy.
Today the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railway is owned and operated by American Heritage Railways, which recently purchased our famed Branson Scenic Railway in September of this year. To find out more about this iconic Durango legacy, go to www.durangotrain.com.
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