Engineer Mike Nichols is working as Brakeman today. In a timeless railroading scene, he signals to Engineer Bill Colley, as K-28 no. 473 backs down onto the train.

D&S Extra 473 South heads along the Animas River towards Tacoma on a Willow Creek Productions photo charter.

Drifting downgrade towards the photo line, engineer Bill Colley opens the throttle for a nice smokey runby on a Willow Creek Productions photo charter.

D&S K-28 no. 473 smokes it up, rounding the highline horseshoe curve, heading towards Rockwood at the conclusion of a Willow Creek Productions photo charter.

Fireman Joe Dailey throws in a final scoop of coal in preparation for the morning departure.

Extra 473 South heads down the Rio Animas on a Willow Creek Productions photo mixed train.

After a water stop at Tank Creek, Extra 473 South heads off down the Rio Animas on a Willow Creek Productions photo mixed train.

In a modern updating of a W.H. Jackson photo, 473 leads a two car special onto the Highline, far above the Animas River.

Extra 473 North charges along the rock wall at Elbert Creek on a Willow Creek Productions photo freight.

Photo freight train charter passing through the heavy fog just north of Durango,CO Tuesday Feb 24th 2009.

Dave Gross sponsored his seventh annual "final" charter on the D&S this week. On Monday the weather was overcast and raining lightly, but on Tuesday we had wall to wall sun. This is the classic ... (more)

Dave Gross sponsored his seventh annual "final" charter on the D&S this week. On Monday the weather was overcast and raining lightly, and the 473 had a major steam leak. But the combination prod... (more)

The annual D&S Winter Photographers Special is southbound through the cut at Rockwood.