The yard and tracks at Silverton provide more room to maintain and service the locomotives and cars than the tight space at Rockwood. Water is available and coal can be trucked to Silverton as it is to Durango. I am guessing that essential tools, such as locomotive/car jacks, portable compressors, etc. have been set up at Silverton.
In October 1986, I spent 2 separate weeks in Silverton as a combination engine watchman/hostler/mechanic and maintained and serviced a single locomotive for 3-4 days at a time. I based myself out of the freight end of the Silverton Depot and managed to get even some of the tougher stuff done....sometimes in the snow. They have even better facilities there now, like an ash pit, so I am sure they can keep this up for a while longer....at least until the snow flies.
Mike Ramsey