Durango, 1956 & 1957, Fritz Klinke photos

These are Fritz Klinke photos, linked from Flickr. His captions are underneath each photo.


Durango D&RGW Yard Scenes by Fritz Klinke, on Flickr
"Durango D&RGW Yard Scenes
July 7, 1956 and my first view of a live, operating narrow gauge steam engine, 464, from my hotel window at the Strater Hotel. Interesting that 55 years later that I had lunch at the Strater today and parked in the hotel's parking lot that occupies the site of the Rio Grande Motorway building shown here. In back of the 464 is the railroad's freight house, almost a full block long, that did not survive too much longer."



Durango, 1956 by Fritz Klinke, on Flickr
"Durango, 1956
My first visit to the narrow gauge. The Jordan ditcher OU was sitting in back of the Strater Hotel where I had a room for $4.50."


Durango D&RGW Yard Scenes by Fritz Klinke, on Flickr
"Durango D&RGW Yard Scenes
The 464 under steam waiting for a call for switching duty, August 1957. The smelter across the river with its adjoining tailings pile was active at this point in time."


Durango, August 1957 by Fritz Klinke, on Flickr
"Durango, August 1957
View from the main line entering the Durango yard from the south. Cars on right were loaded with phone or power poles, loaded just like pipe trains with idler cars. Most switch stands on the main line had kerosene lighted lanterns at this point in time."




scan0030 by Fritz Klinke, on Flickr
"scan0030
Durango Coal Tower, 1957, Silverton wedge snowplow to left background."



scan0018 by Fritz Klinke, on Flickr
scan0018
"Durango, August 1957. The 464 simmers under steam waiting for the next call to do switching chores, the 495 and 494 are to the immediate right, both under steam, and the wedge plow for the Silverton line sits beyond the turntable pit."


A working railroad, 1957 by Fritz Klinke, on Flickr
"A working railroad, 1957
Refrigerator car 163. Beer was being unloaded from this car into the Basin Sales building in the background. This is now the parking lot between the Grande Palace building and the General Palmer Hotel."




Durango Coal Loading Dock, Federal Lumber by Fritz Klinke, on Flickr
"Durango Coal Loading Dock, Federal Lumber
Coal loading dock in Durango 1957 accessed through what became Federal Lumber next to Animas River-now Albertson's parking lot. Lumber and building materials were unloaded from boxcars through several long sheds as shown. Looking north, Animas River to the left beyond the bushes."

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- Graham



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2024 06:26AM by Rader Sidetrack.