By the end of regular freight operations on the Silverton Branch in the early 1950s, the train to Silverton was running as a mixed train with both freight and passenger equipment. On August 27th, 2023, in conjunction with the National Narrow Gauge Convention being in Denver and as part of the celebration of 100 years of the K-28 class locomotives, the Silverton Mixed returned to the Silverton Branch for a day.
But it wasn't just a recreation. In true mixed train fashion, some actual work was done during the trip with the setout of two flatcars of ties at Elk Park for a tie project.
Climb aboard and take a ride in caboose 0540 as the mixed train leaves Durango and climbs the grade to Rockwood, before a photo runby is held at the famous Horseshoe Curve on the High Line. After continuing to Tank Creek, we will ride in the cab of engine 473 the rest of the way to Silverton, including the climb up the short 4 percent grade below MP 488 and a "rare mileage" trip around the wye.
On the return trip, we will watch a photo runby at Elk Park before the two flat cars are switched out on the south leg of the wye. We will conclude with two runbys at MP 480.5 (Goblin Fire), including a demonstration of the use of a railroad signalling device not often seen anymore, the torpedo.
Come along, and see what the ride on the Silverton Mixed may have been like many decades ago.
Note: Apologies for the "shaky cam" footage while on board the train. It's tough to keep a camera steady in those conditions.
0:00 Durango-Horseshoe Curve
9:14 Horseshoe Curve photo runby
11:19 Horseshoe Curve-Tank Creek
15:13 Tank Creek-Silverton (Cab Ride)
39:06 Elk Park photo runby
40:19 Elk Park switching
45:00 MP 480.5 photo runbys