Goose DSNG Excursion Poster 2022 8.5x11.pdfPRESS RELEASE
2022 Galloping Goose Spring Excursions on D&SNG
After a two-year hiatus, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad once again sponsored their Winter Photographer’s Special excursions. RGS Goose No. 5 from Dolores, Colorado was invited to participate. The transport of the “Goose” to Durango by the Weeminuche Construction Authority was delayed a few days by a major snow event but it still arrived in time to participate. That major snow event provided much needed moisture to the area and created spectacular winter mountain scenery for photographs. Clear, sunny weather created excellent photo conditions.
Similar excursions are scheduled for RGS Goose No. 5 in April and May. These trips are planned to be more “user friendly”, appropriate for the casual railfan. The six-hour trip includes narrow gauge mountain railroading experiences on the DSNG High Line and the Animas River Canyon. An “over the motorman’s shoulder look” is a unique experience available to all RGS Goose No. 5 passengers. It is not available on any other train ride, regardless of price.
Trips in 2022 are scheduled for April 2nd, April 23rd, May 7th and May 8th. The tickets are priced at $149, similar to the premium fare for a D&SNG trip to Cascade Canyon. With a 9:30 am or 10:00 am departure, it could become a one-day family field trip to Durango. With this winter’s snow melt, the Animas River will be running full and Spring should be in full bloom. (The snow plow on the “Goose” will remain attached, just in case.) Please contact the railroad at (970) 247-2733 for more information and tickets. Attached is a poster for these excursions.
On Friday May 6th, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge will celebrate the start of their 2022 summer tourist excursions to Silverton with a picnic and entertainment at the Durango train station. RGS Goose No. 5 will provide $30 trips to Railroad Park, a chance for a brief RGS Goose No. 5 excursion experience.
The D&SNG’s Special Events webpage will soon contain more information. Here’s the link: [
www.durangotrain.com]
The Galloping Goose Historical Society is also running excursions on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in late September. Tickets are already on sale for this event. Please contact Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad for more information and details (1-888-286-2737).
Here’s a link to their website: [
cumbrestoltec.com]
The Town of Dolores, Colorado began as a railroad town in the 1890’s and grew up with the Rio Grande Southern Railroad (RGS). The RGS transported ore, lumber, and livestock out of remote areas of the San Juan Mountains to connect to markets throughout the country. In response to severe economic challenges during the Great Depression, motorized railcars were built in the RGS’s Ridgway Shop. These railcars replaced their daily passenger trains. The gasoline operated ‘Galloping Geese,’ as they came to be known, transported passengers, U.S. mail, and essential supplies from Durango to Mancos, Dolores and the mountain towns of Rico, Placerville, Telluride, and Ridgway. They operated for twenty years and literally kept the RGS railroad and the area that they served economically viable.
In 1953, the founders of the Dolores Rotary Club purchased RGS Goose No. 5 for the Town of Dolores. The Galloping Goose Historical Society was later organized in 1987 to restore the “Goose.” It had fallen into disrepair in Flander’s Park. Using volunteer labor, the Society built a replica of the Dolores Train Depot where the museum, gift store, and GGHS offices are located. In 1998, the Society completely restored Galloping Goose No. 5. It is open to visitors and runs on track in front of the museum. The Goose also runs excursions on historic railroads in Colorado and New Mexico.
RGS Goose No. 5’s existence is owed solely to the support it has received from the local community and Galloping Goose Historical Society members. RGS Goose No. 5 is a Dolores town fixture and will return before Memorial Day for display in Dolores during the summer tourist season.
Here is a link to the Galloping Goose Historical Society home page:[
www.gallopinggoose5.org]
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Goose DSNG Excursion Poster 2022 8.5x11.pdf
