Rail Yard Projects Continue to be a Major Focus of the Society

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  • Shown here are switches and track laid by Savage Services. Installation of ballast should be completed this summer
    Shown here are switches and track laid by Savage Services. Installation of ballast should be completed this summer
  • New windows crafted by Loren Lew of Klinke & Lew Construction got installed just ahead of the first snowfall last year.
    New windows crafted by Loren Lew of Klinke & Lew Construction got installed just ahead of the first snowfall last year.
  • Many areas of the foundation required extensive work by Scott Craig and his crew, seen here working on the back room.
    Many areas of the foundation required extensive work by Scott Craig and his crew, seen here working on the back room.
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Track and Switches in Place For Railcar Display Tracks

The Durango Railroad Historical Society railcar display track runs from the northwest corner of the Durango & Silverton depot, westward towards the Silverton Northern track near the Silverton Northern engine house. In late 2018 and early summer 2019 Maisel Excavation graded and added base course ballast for the track, completing the roadbed last June.

Rail for the project is material on permanent loan from the Galloping Goose Historical Society and has been stockpiled since 2017.

Once the roadbed was completed, we awaited the track crew from Savage Services of Midvale, Utah to fit us into their schedule. Once they arrived in late August, copies of the track and turnout drawings were given to the foreman, Jim Travers, and they started work immediately.

They cut in the first turnout on an existing curve of the Silverton Northern track to the Durango & Silverton Shenandoah Loop, then a second turnout to two parallel display tracks.

Maisel Excavation, between fall snow storms, managed to bring in ballast and spread it on the north display track. Weather stopped work for the winter. When construction opens this summer, they will bring in more, and we will level and tamp.

The original plan was to connect the south track into the Durango & Silverton Shenandoah Loop with a turnout at the depot. However the Durango & Silverton changed their plans for Silverton and are going to put a turnout where one was removed years ago and extend the track behind the depot south as far as they can. This is where our plans were for our turnout. The Durango & Silverton said they will move the string of derelict cars from the Shenandoah Loop to this new track. They want to use the loop for regular train operation when multiple trains are in Silverton. This means that our existing connection to the loop will be available for moving Locomotive 315 to and from Durango & Silverton track and our connection behind the depot will not be needed.

By Jerry Hoffer