Re: Ballasting the C&TS

John West Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> . . .  One exception was the Silverton branch
> between Durango and Hermosa, which truly
> was a through-the-weeds operation until it was
> raised above the river marsh land as part of the
> Silverton tourist train improvements.


Right, John -

I clearly remember my first two trips from Durango to Silverton in 1960 and '62, before the new highway was built alongside the railroad for the five miles or so just south of Hermosa, when it was quite the roller-coaster ride.  It might have been even rougher, but IIRC there were a lot of sheep along the right-of-way in those days, which slowed the train enough to keep me from getting seasick.

- Roosso