Durango & Silverton Winter Along the Animas DVD
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The Durango & Silverton is one of the few railroads that operate steam year round. While service to Silverton ends in late October because of avalanche danger in the upper part of the Animas Canyon, the railroad still runs a shorter excursion to Cascade Canyon from November to early May. This program looks at steam on the Durango & Silverton during the winter of 2021-2022, with all 3 of the railroad's operable K-36 locomotives featured. Because of persistent fire danger during the summer months, the D&S has been converting its steam locomotive fleet to oil firing for a few years now. With the railroad transitioning away from coal, you'll see oil fired locomotives #480 and #482 alongside coal fired locomotive #481, which is very likely the last operable coal burner on the Durango & Silverton.

Coverage begins on New Year's Eve with locomotive #480 pulling the Cascade Canyon train during a snowstorm. You'll also see a couple of clips of #482 on a surprise flanger run that day, fresh from the shop after being converted to burn oil. Next we'll look at one of the short Polar Express trips later that evening, followed by the first 2 runs to Cascade in the New Year with #480. After #482 was back in service, #480 was taken down for maintenance and for the rest of the winter #481 split time with #482. The next segment focuses on #482 with coverage of 2 trips to Cascade in February. Finally, the program concludes with an in-depth look at #481, which was the star of the 2-day Winter Photographer's Special at end of February. After an extended dry period, the Animas Canyon got some much-needed snow before the photo special and you'll see #481 working hard with a mixed train amidst the majestic snow-capped San Juan Mountains.

Filmed entirely in HD, this program features spectacular winter action on the iconic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. With plenty of new locations, it's an entirely different look at a familiar railroad, set against the backdrop of winter along the Animas River. This program has minimal narration (with the option to turn it on or off) and no distracting music. It's available on standard definition widescreen DVD or High Definition Blu-ray disc.