Perfect Plumage. Engineer Bill Colley wraps a gorgeous gray plume around the point as he brings his mixed freight east (compass west....LOL!) onto the famous High Line Horseshoe Curve in Rockwood, Colorado. His charge today is K-28 #478, one of just two "sports models" that still operate and one of three left in existence. The other survivors are both stablemates of the 478 at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The 473 is still operable, while the 476 has been confined to the railroad's museum for many years. Those in the know say that 476 is not permanently stuffed and mounted, and could be made operable with a suitable infusion of money. For the moment however, the railroad has six operable steam engines and keeping up with all of those has the roundhouse crew hopping most of the time.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
