I keep hearing about wildfires threatening Durango --- what is the threat to the Durango & Silverton? Are they operating, or have they been shut down by the govt. as was the case at the Cumbres & Toltec?

FredNangle@aol.com

> I keep hearing about wildfires threatening
> Durango --- what is the threat to the
> Durango & Silverton? Are they operating,
> or have they been shut down by the govt. as
> was the case at the Cumbres & Toltec?

The D&S is operating, but in a very limited way. The RR is running steam trains from Durango to Hermosa, a diesel-powered excursion from Rockwood over the high line, and a rail bus trip out of Silverton. All these service reductions and restrictions were undertaken voluntarily by the RR, and were not imposed by any government agency. This makes the D&S situation different from the C&TS, were the closure was ordered by US Forest Service officials.

There have been two fires in the Durango area. The main fire, Missionary Ridge, is on the east side of the Animas valley north of Durango, and has never been very close to the D&S. This week another fire, the Valley Fire, broke out on the west side of the Animas valley very close to Hermosa and the RR, but it was swiftly contained.

The RR has restricted its operations not becuase the existing fire threatens the trains, but becuase of concern about the trains setting new fires, which might go uncontained despite the RR's fire suppression patrols. And given how fast the Valley fire sprang up this week, I have to concede that those concerns are not without merit.

eledbetter@rypn.org

> I keep hearing about wildfires threatening
> Durango --- what is the threat to the
> Durango & Silverton? Are they operating,
> or have they been shut down by the govt. as
> was the case at the Cumbres & Toltec?

Fred -

the D&S voluntarily curtailed steam operation and is operating a limited schedule. Steam is operating along the flat part of the line between Durango and Hermosa. Ironically, the tracks run between the Missionary Ridge fire (which started within sight of the railroad) and the Valley fire.

I haven't heard of any direct threat to the railroad from the fire itself, though it has been visible from the tracks at times.

The Durango Herald (www.durangoherald.com) has excellent online coverage of the fires.

JAC

D&S NGRR Wildfire Updates