Doubleheaders on the Durango & Silverton 2-Disc DVD

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DOUBLEHEADERS ON THE D&S

In 2021 the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad ran an unprecedented number of doubleheaded trains. In previous years there were usually three or four daily steam-powered trains to Silverton, but there was only one in 2021 because of staff shortages due, in part, to the Covid-19 pandemic. Unable to operate more trains, the D&S instead chose to run longer doubleheaders to cope with demand.

The Durango & Silverton was also in the process of converting its steam locomotive fleet to oil firing and there were only 3 operable oil burners at the time: K-28 #473, K-36 #480, and K-37 #493. Because of dry conditions and high fire danger, the railroad did not operate any coal burners during the summer or fall. Faced with a motive power shortage, the D&S leased Southern Pacific 4-6-0 #18 to serve as a helper on the doubleheaded trains to Silverton.

In addition to the daily 9am steam-powered train to Silverton, there was an 8am diesel-powered Silverton train, and a steam-powered train to Cascade Canyon at 9:30. #473 was the helper on most of the doubleheaders, with the larger locomotives - #480 and #493 alternating between the Silverton and Cascade Canyon trains. On the days without doubleheaders, #480 or #493 pulled 12-cars solo to Silverton while #473 was on the Cascade Canyon Express.

2 DVD Set
Running Time: 3 hours
Narration: On or Off