Author Topic: Durango & Silverton cancel trains due to fire  (Read 7933 times)

Joe Fox

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Durango & Silverton cancel trains due to fire
« on: June 02, 2018, 12:51:16 AM »
As of right now it appears one of the morning trains to Durango started a huge forest fire that started near the railroad tracks just north of Durango. In the late afternoon the fire went from being just 200 acres, to being 863 acres just after 5pm on Friday.

All trains returning from Silverton on Friday were cancelled, and passengers had to be bussed via Ridway and or Telluride. All trains cancelled for Saturday June 2nd.
« Last Edit: June 02, 2018, 05:04:01 AM by Joe Fox »

Joe Fox

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Re: Durango & Silverton cancel trains due to fire
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2018, 05:05:44 AM »
Heres an update. From 5pm to 8 pm the fire had spread to over 1100 acres, and more than 800 people have been evacuated.

https://www.google.com/amp/denver.cbslocal.com/2018/06/01/wildfire-develops-near-durango/amp/

Wayne Laepple

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Re: Durango & Silverton cancel trains due to fire
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2018, 08:03:42 AM »
Latest information indicates the fire was NOT started by the Durango & Silverton Railroad train; rather, it started along the shoulder of Route 550, probably from a discarded cigarette.

Joe Fox

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Re: Durango & Silverton cancel trains due to fire
« Reply #3 on: June 02, 2018, 04:20:33 PM »
That is a huge relief for the railroad. Hopefully reports remain the same. Fire as of a few hours ago has now reached 2,000 acres, and is 0% contained.

Mike the Choochoo Nix

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Re: Durango & Silverton cancel trains due to fire
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2018, 06:30:07 AM »
that whole area is ultra dry, it's one of five fires in that part or the country!
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Wayne Laepple

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Re: Durango & Silverton cancel trains due to fire
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2018, 07:49:35 PM »
According to an announcement this morning by the Durango & Silverton RR, all steam trains are cancelled through next Sunday. They are trying to develop a plan using their diesels. Anyone holding reserved tickets is entitled to a full refund.

D&SNGRR Announces Suspension Of All Coal-Fired Steam Train Excursions Through Sunday, June 10

Historic 137-Year-Old Railroad to Provide Full Refunds to All Passengers Whose Excursions Have Been Canceled; Popular Scenic Railway Intends to Launch Alternative Diesel Train Passenger Service Later in June Once It Is Deemed Safe to Do So

DURANGO, Colo. - June 2, 2018 - PRLog -- The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNGRR), which offers distinctive year-round rail experiences and special events to passengers of all ages in the remote, scenic wilderness and high-mountain landscape of Colorado's San Juan National Forest, today announced it is suspending all coal-fired steam passenger service through at least Sun., June 10, to ensure guest and employee safety during the containment of the 416 Fire.

In addition, the D&SNGRR confirmed today all guests whose excursions are canceled as a result of this decision will receive full, immediate and automatic ticket refunds. The announcement follows yesterday's D&SNGRR safety precaution to terminate passenger service today to Silverton.

"Passenger, employee and community safety is, and always has been, of paramount importance to the D&SNGRR, and it is our number-one priority throughout all aspects of the railroad's business," affirmed John Harper, general manager of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. "As a result, we strongly believe it is in the best interests of all parties concerned to suspend this service through at least Sun., June 10. In the meantime, we are closely collaborating with all first responders, and local, county, and state law enforcement and firefighting personnel, to provide any needed assistance in containing this fire. Additionally, we are proactively directing available resources and staff members to responding agencies as they continue fighting the 416 Fire."

Currently, the D&SNGRR is planning to launch an alternative diesel locomotive passenger service later in June once it has been deemed safe to do so. In the coming days, the railroad will announce all associated details, including fares, schedules, and itineraries, of these new products. The D&SNGRR also encourages Durango-area visitors and impacted passengers to visit the depot for free museum and scheduled railyard tours.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2018, 08:55:06 PM by Wayne Laepple »

Paul Uhland

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Re: Durango & Silverton cancel trains due to fire
« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2018, 10:32:05 PM »
Early tourist season  is the worst time possible for D&S  to suspend running. What a bummer. This puts a super damper? on the whole early summer economy of very popular Durango, where my visits and train rides were always enjoyable.
I called KRQE TV Abq News, who had no idea D&S was shut down.
The Durango Herald is closely on top of things.
Limited, recent area showers have helped slow down some of other fires currently burning in NM and southern CO, with more light showers forecast next weekend.
We should soon be seeing the start of our yearly "monsoon season" through August, featuring numerous, daily thunderstorms.
Hope it hurries up. Our current, second longest recorded drought sucks, our national forests are closing, the Rio Grande is drying up in spots, irrigation worries increase, reservoirs are down.
We be dry.
And the morons flying drones over forest fires blocking aerial tankers (one did here the other day) need to be waterboarded. >:(
« Last Edit: June 04, 2018, 10:35:14 PM by Paul Uhland »
Paul Uhland