Hermosa Flyer

On a wonderfully clear day in the Silvery San Juan Mountains, the Winter Cascade Train of the Durango and Silverton attacks the Hermosa Hill at MP 463.

The Durango & Silverton's Cascade Canyon Express crawls along the narrow shelf track high above the Animas River on a warm spring afternoon.

A thick plume of smoke trails the Durango & Silverton's oil-burning #493 as it rounds the curves of the iconic highline above the Animas River.

TV is on the Fritz

Snow falls as the Cascade Canyon train leaves Durango for its namesake

The Durango & Silverton's Cascade Canyon Express snakes along the narrow ledge of the highline on a mild spring afternoon.

Do Not Adjust Your Set....

Winter makes a slight clawback as snow begins to envelop the lower reaches of the Animas River Canyon. The day began in Durango with a slight drizzl... (more)

Storm clouds gather in the mountains as ex-WP&Y #107 pulls a string of empty gondola cars back to Durango for use in the upcoming spring/summer season.

The Animas River flows in a particularly striking shade of green as #476 heads back towards to Durango from Cascade Canyon.

Spring is coming to the San Juans as #493 approaches Rockwood with the Cascade Canyon Express in tow.

I Took the Path Less Taken

I mean, there’s literally no trail, and it’s not easy to get here.

After separating in Rockwood, #493 and #476 link back up at Tank Creek for the remainder of the journey to Cascade Canyon as a spring snow storm descends upon the Animas Canyon.

A spring storm brings heavy winds and driving snow as #476 pulls the Cascade Canyon Express along the banks of the Animas River deep in the canyon.

Ex WP&Y #107 hit the Durango & Silverton highline on a test run with a 10-car consist for the first time this afternoon

It's beginning to look a lot like spring as #481 pulls the return trip of the Cascade Canyon Express along the banks of the Animas River just north of Tacoma.

The first day of spring brings a doubleheader on the Durango & Silverton, as 476 joins in to help the steep climb from Hermosa to Rockwood.