DakotaRed Wrote:
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> I’m headed to Durango today. I should get there
> about lunchtime, maybe early afternoon. My #1
> goal: see all three remaining K-28s up close.
> I’ve got a light-duty SUV, ability to hike, no
> obligations the rest of the day, and money to buy
> a ticket.
>
> Suggestions?
Hmmmmm.......I realize that everyone is different, but typically, before I head to any railroad, I plan my days well in advance.....sometimes many months in advance.
What you can accomplish today really depends on your list of goals. You're getting there way too late to ride. You've said that you wanted to SEE the three K-28 locomotives and if that is the primary objective, you will need a ticket.....not so much to see 473 or 476, but to get into the museum to see 478. Perhaps Jerry Day can confirm she's still in there. I'd do that first thing, because the museum is likely to be closed when you get back from your trip out on the line.
After that, I would head up to Silverton. You can probably catch one or more trains leaving Silverton if you get there before 1:30 PM. You can then go to Rockwood, see them arrive, and watch all of the switching and servicing there at the end of the day. As Jerry's photos prove, there is a lot going on in Rockwood at the end of each day.
You didn't mention anything about photography. If that's a goal, I'd head straight for Silverton and scrap the idea seeing 478. Shoot the trains either passing the depot southbound, or go down to the timber bridge and shoot there. Then head to Rockwood. You can probably catch them arriving at the High Line in the late afternoon. The only other shot would be the bridge at Tacoma. It's a bit of a hike....and a dangerous hike, because there are places on the line where there's no room for a train AND a hiker. Unless you really know the line and the schedule, I would not go any further than the High Line. Also, do not hike the Rockwood Cut, as tempting as it may look. Go around. You cannot hear the trains coming and there is no room to hike in the cut with a train.
/Kevin Madore
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2018 10:40AM by KevinM.
