Durango & Silverton Winter Photographers’ Special 2008

On Sunday, 10-Feb-2008, the Durango & Silverton held its fourth annual Winter Photographers’ Special. I wasn’t going to ride this year, having been somewhat burned out on the large number of (non-railfan) people and poor snowpack in previous years. However, given the monumental amount of snow in the San Juans this year, I decided I couldn’t pass it up. Plus, I’d be in Albuquerque the day before, and so would be out on the road anyway. I might as well stop by on the way home, I told myself.

Traditionally, the train runs up to near Needleton. However, in light of the heavy snows that southern Colorado experieced during the winter of 2007-2008, this year’s run would only go as far as the High Bridge – just short of Tacoma. North of that point, heavy snow and the danger of snow slides prevented operation. So, while we’d get a good year in terms of snowpack for photos (unlike several previous years, which have been nearly devoid of snow), we wouldn’t get to take advantage of it up in the Animas River canyon. The D&S picked a number of other (relatively) inaccessible spots, so there were still good photos to be had… What follows is my (somewhat humble) take from this year’s trip.

Before daybreak, some of the guys are out trying to get the switch at the north end of the yard to open up. Somewhere in the course of the night, it apparently froze.

With the switch back in operation, the crew brings out this year's power - K-28 #478. — With the switch back in operation, the crew brings out this year’s power – K-28 #478.

Just a couple minutes before departure at 0800h, the sun still isn't hitting the Durango yard, but the mountain behind it is all lit. — Just a couple minutes before departure at 0800h, the sun still isn’t hitting the Durango yard, but the mountain behind it is all lit.

Heading up the Animas River valley towards Hermosa, everything has acquired a layer of frost and ice overnight.

Just another ice shot... — Just another ice shot…

Between Durango and Hermosa, alongside US 550.

Heading up from Hermosa to the Shalona Lake crossing for the first run-bys.

478 in deep snow at the Shalona crossing. Limitations from the depth of the snowpack, combined with snow-slides above Tacoma, had forced the D&S staff to be creative about run-by locations this year.

Caboose 0540 bringing up the rear... — Caboose 0540 bringing up the rear…

This is new - a DSNG adaptation of the old Rio Grande "Royal Gorge Route" logo on caboose 0540. — This is new – a DSNG adaptation of the old Rio Grande “Royal Gorge Route” logo on caboose 0540.

The one problem I've always had with the D&S Winter Photo Specials is that they have a fascination with setting up run-bys so you're looking into the sun. Still, from time to time it works out, as it did here. — The one problem I’ve always had with the D&S Winter Photo Specials is that they have a fascination with setting up run-bys so you’re looking into the sun. Still, from time to time it works out, as it did here.

With roughly two feet of snow on the ground in many places, space in the stomped-down photo lines is at an absolute premium.

Since we couldn't reach Tank Creek for water, we did the Shalona run-by first, and then worked back to Hermosa doing others. — Since we couldn’t reach Tank Creek for water, we did the Shalona run-by first, and then worked back to Hermosa doing others.

Here's another into-the-sun shot salvaged by Photoshop, somewhere between Hermosa and the US 550 bridge. — Here’s another into-the-sun shot salvaged by Photoshop, somewhere between Hermosa and the US 550 bridge.

And coming to a stop, just before backing up to load up the photo line.

Backing to Hermosa, with Engineer Mountain in the distant background.

Back at Hermosa, we take on a supply of water for the afternoon. Since we can't get to Tank Creek due to snow, Hermosa is the only supply of water other than Durango. — Back at Hermosa, we take on a supply of water for the afternoon. Since we can’t get to Tank Creek due to snow, Hermosa is the only supply of water other than Durango.

Leaving Hermosa for the second time - this time bound for the High Line. — Leaving Hermosa for the second time – this time bound for the High Line.

Just about to pass under the US 550 bridge between Hermosa and the Shalona Lake crossing

Unlike the last few years, it actually looks wintery in the Animas canyon.

Lighting at the High Bridge near Tacoma was a bit awkward this year, but here's the view from river level. This is as far up the line as we went. — Lighting at the High Bridge near Tacoma was a bit awkward this year, but here’s the view from river level. This is as far up the line as we went.

Another look at the photo special on the High Bridge.

I think this is the only time I've ever photographed the High Line with snow — I think this is the only time I’ve ever photographed the High Line with snow

A bit broader view (Note to self: I really need a better wide angle lens.)

After the first run-by, the crew went to Rockwood and turned 478, so that we could all get the train approaching us on the curve, rather than going the other way.

I know there's a lot of High Line shots here, but we did three or four run-bys... — I know there’s a lot of High Line shots here, but we did three or four run-bys…

A look at the K-28 and the snow around the tracks.

Pulling up for the last time - all aboard! — Pulling up for the last time – all aboard!

Once at Rockwood, the crew takes 478 and the caboose around the wye, just so we've got our crummy on the right end of the train. — Once at Rockwood, the crew takes 478 and the caboose around the wye, just so we’ve got our crummy on the right end of the train.

Okay, bring 'er back! — Okay, bring ‘er back!

Back just a few more feet to a joint... — Back just a few more feet to a joint…

With the caboose tied onto the train, 478 heads back around the wye.

Easing around wye. These giant snowpiles make great vantage points.

Just thought this was kind of a neat view - an open narrow gauge switch in the snow. — Just thought this was kind of a neat view – an open narrow gauge switch in the snow.

And here comes 478 through the south/west leg of the Rockwood Wye. Note we've lost both numberboards from the headlight; we started the day with one in each slot, and now they're gone. — And here comes 478 through the south/west leg of the Rockwood Wye. Note we’ve lost both numberboards from the headlight; we started the day with one in each slot, and now they’re gone.

A slightly different angle in the evening light.

Photo 41
Now here's a view of a K-28 you don't get very often. — Photo 41 Now here’s a view of a K-28 you don’t get very often.

I wish my depth of field was better, but I couldn't pass up throwing this one in. 478, after spending most of the afternoon away from water, needed a drink at Hermosa on the way back. — I wish my depth of field was better, but I couldn’t pass up throwing this one in. 478, after spending most of the afternoon away from water, needed a drink at Hermosa on the way back.

Back in Durango just as the sun dips below the mountains. Time to go back to the hotel and stand under the warm shower to thaw.

All photographs in this trip report were taken with a Canon EOS 40D using either a Canon 24-105mm F4 L IS/USM, Sigma 18-50mm, or a Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS/USM.

This work is copyright 2022 by Nathan D. Holmes, but all text and images are licensed and reusable under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license. Basically you’re welcome to use any of this as long as it’s not for commercial purposes, you credit me as the source, and you share any derivative works under the same license. I’d encourage others to consider similar licenses for their works.