On this date in 2002: The historic Durango and Silverton narrow gauge railroad was sat silently in the station in beautiful, historic downtown Durango, Colorado. The tourist railroad, arguably the most famous in the United States, was forced to stop operating because of fears that cinders from the steam train would spark wildfires.
The massive Missionary Ridge wildfire was already burning along the train’s route to Silverton. The wildfire was the second largest in Colorado history, burning nearly 75,000 acres before being extinguished in early July. It would be three weeks before the train could resume operations, forcing it to lose over $1 million.
The State of Colorado issued an emergency $1 million loan to the railroad, which employees 200 people in the cities of Durango and Silverton and delivers a $100 million annual economic impact to the area.
Meanwhile, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad from Chama, NM to Antonito, CO was forced to suspend operations on June 7th as the result of an order from the U.S. Forest Service. It was restarted on June 28th, much to the relief of local businesses who are heavily dependent on the attraction for tourism dollars.
The C&TS takes heavy protective measures including a tank car in the train consist sprays water along the rails and out 12 feet on either side of the train. There is also a fire suppression team that follows the train and a fire truck that travels along with the train on Route 17. 6,400,000 acres burned due to wildfires in the United States in 2003, twice the average.
The massive Missionary Ridge wildfire was already burning along the train’s route to Silverton. The wildfire was the second largest in Colorado history, burning nearly 75,000 acres before being extinguished in early July. It would be three weeks before the train could resume operations, forcing it to lose over $1 million.
The State of Colorado issued an emergency $1 million loan to the railroad, which employees 200 people in the cities of Durango and Silverton and delivers a $100 million annual economic impact to the area.
Meanwhile, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad from Chama, NM to Antonito, CO was forced to suspend operations on June 7th as the result of an order from the U.S. Forest Service. It was restarted on June 28th, much to the relief of local businesses who are heavily dependent on the attraction for tourism dollars.
The C&TS takes heavy protective measures including a tank car in the train consist sprays water along the rails and out 12 feet on either side of the train. There is also a fire suppression team that follows the train and a fire truck that travels along with the train on Route 17. 6,400,000 acres burned due to wildfires in the United States in 2003, twice the average.
on June 20, 2005, 9:44 am
Are you a railfan????
If so shoot me an e-mail.
carytrain4501@yahoo.com
Reply to this comment