Rails Around Durango (CO) (Images of Rail) [Paperback]

Allan C. Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 14, 2006

In the 1880s, the Denver & Rio Grande began building its three-foot railroad toward the San Juan Mountains alongside the Animas River and the budding community of Durango. The D&RG quickly established itself in Durango, constructing a depot as well as a 45-mile connection to the regional mining hub of Silverton. Over 60 years, the towns, the railroad, and the mines it served would weather plummeting silver values and a turbulent economy. By the end of World War II, declining freight volumes left the future of the railroad in doubt, but by the late 1940s, a growing number of train enthusiasts were journeying to Durango for one last ride. The new popularity of the Silverton Branch brought rail fans to the area in increasing numbers through the 1950s. Today the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad continues to preserve the region's railroading past and has become a unique aspect of the history of Southwestern Colorado.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Allan C. Lewis maintains a strong interest in the transportation and military history of the American West and has spent the last 30 years assembling an impressive library of railroad images. He has written several other books, including three previous Arcadia projects, Colorado & Southern Railway: Clear Creek Narrow Gauge, Railroads of the Pike's Peak Region: 1870-1900, and Railroads of the Pike's Peak Region: 1900-1930.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (August 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738548596
• ISBN-13: 978-0738548593
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,127,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History of a Spectacular Train Ride, September 24, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rails Around Durango (CO) (Images of Rail) (Paperback)

One of the best tourist activities I can think of ... No, make that two of the best tourist activities I can think of are riding the Durango and Silverton narrow gage north of Durango, Colorado.

In the summertime the train goes all the way to Silverton. It stops there for a couple of hours and you walk around the quaint little town, probably buying an ice cream or a piece of home made pie. The ride is up the Animas canyon, and a beautiful ride it is.

In the summertime the train only goes about half way, where it turns around at a wye. You get out there and go to a shed where's there's a blazing fire and free hot drinks. On the way back, as the sun goes down one of the trainmen comes through lighting a kerosene lantern at each end of the coach. It's the crowning moment of a glorious day.

Before you go, read this book. It has about 200 pictures of the narrow gage railroads around Durango. It goes back into the history (all in all there were about 2,000 miles of narrow gage track.) but it also covers the Durango and Silverton and its transition from hauling freight to the miles in Silverton and elsewhere to tourist railway. Splendid book.

One last comment, while in Durango stay at the STRATER HOTEL. It's of the same vintage as the train and the food is supurb.

I have no financial interests in either the railway or the hotel, I just had a great time there.