Iron Memory Photography

Iron Memory Photography Its about preservation of the echos of the past, Turning cold metal into something deeply human.

09/10/2026

481 in the San Juans

481 takes her train back toward Durango, just a few minutes outside Silverton, Colorado, on a beautiful September Saturday afternoon. The San Juan Mountains put on a spectacular backdrop as the old locomotive works her way down the line toward home.

Sometimes the best railroad moments are the ones where you simply stop, watch, and let history roll past.

Durango & Silverton Railroad Silverton CO Chamber Commerce

Valentine’s Day — Two Engines, One MountainOn a Valentine’s Day doubleheader through the San Juans, D&SNG 473 and 482 wo...
09/10/2026

Valentine’s Day — Two Engines, One Mountain

On a Valentine’s Day doubleheader through the San Juans, D&SNG 473 and 482 work together to handle the train over the mountain.

At Rockwood, the railroad’s operating realities come into play. With the train’s weight restrictions in mind, the conductor walks forward to uncouple 473, allowing the locomotive to move ahead while 482 and the rest of the train follow under the operating plan.

Fun fact: Rockwood has been a railroad location since 1881, when the Denver & Rio Grande reached the community while building toward Silverton. From here, the railroad enters the rugged Animas Canyon, where crews blasted a narrow shelf into the cliffs to carry the rails.

A Valentine’s Day doubleheader — two historic locomotives, one legendary railroad, and a whole lot of mountain.

Durango & Silverton Railroad Visit Durango, CO

Following the Animas HomeGalloping Goose No. 5 heads back toward Durango, crossing the Animas River deep in the canyon. ...
09/10/2026

Following the Animas Home

Galloping Goose No. 5 heads back toward Durango, crossing the Animas River deep in the canyon. Built in 1933 for the struggling Rio Grande Southern, No. 5 was designed to handle passengers, freight and U.S. Mail economically when running a full steam train simply wasn’t practical.

Today, this remarkable piece of Rio Grande Southern history still earns its keep on the rails—nearly a century after it was built.

Fun fact: No. 5 originally cost just $2,599 to build, using a Pierce-Arrow automobile body and running gear. It was later rebuilt with a WWII-surplus GMC truck engine and a Wayne bus body.

Durango & Silverton Railroad Galloping Goose Historical Soc Silverton CO Chamber Commerce

Canon Rebel T7, Canon Len 18-135mm

09/10/2026

Where the Goose Still Belongs

Galloping Goose No. 5 heads toward Silverton on a Saturday, deep in the Animas River Canyon.

Born from the Rio Grande Southern’s struggle during the Great Depression, No. 5 was built to carry passengers, mail, and freight economically when a full steam train simply wasn’t practical. Today, this unique survivor still climbs the same rugged San Juan Mountains it was built to serve.

Nearly a century later, the Goose is still earning her keep.

Galloping Goose Historical Soc Durango & Silverton Railroad Visit Durango, CO

Climbing the Old Rio GrandeDeep in the Animas Canyon, Galloping Goose No. 5 climbs toward Silverton—right where this rem...
09/09/2026

Climbing the Old Rio Grande

Deep in the Animas Canyon, Galloping Goose No. 5 climbs toward Silverton—right where this remarkable machine belongs.

Originally designed to work the railroad carrying freight, mail, and passengers, Goose No. 5 was built for the rugged narrow-gauge country of the San Juan Mountains. More than a century later, it still looks perfectly at home threading its way through these towering cliffs and dense timber.

Steel, stone, timber, and history—all converging on one stretch of Colorado narrow gauge.

Durango & Silverton Railroad Silverton CO Chamber Commerce

Into the Changing San JuansBuilt by the American Locomotive Works in 1923, K-28 No. 473 has spent more than a century cl...
09/08/2026

Into the Changing San Juans

Built by the American Locomotive Works in 1923, K-28 No. 473 has spent more than a century climbing the narrow-gauge rails of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Originally delivered to the Denver & Rio Grande Western as one of ten “Sport Models,” 473 became a familiar sight on the Silverton branch and has remained remarkably active throughout her long life.

Here, she moves quietly through the mountains as September begins its annual transformation. The deep green of the evergreens gives way to the first gold of the aspens, while the rugged rock, timber, and rails remain unchanged.

There is something fitting about 473 being here.

For more than 100 years, this locomotive has witnessed these mountains change with the seasons—spring, summer, autumn and winter—yet the railroad continues to wind through the same wild country it was built to serve.

Durango & Silverton Railroad Visit Durango, CO

09/08/2026

Two Generations of Steam

K-28 No. 473 glides solo through the Animas Canyon, headed home toward Durango after a successful doubleheader to Silverton.

And standing quietly beside the line is a reminder of another era — an old stationary steam boiler, once used to power a sawmill and machinery here more than a century ago.

One machine still moves. The other stands silent.

Both tell the story of the age of steam in the San Juan Mountains.

A beautiful Saturday in September, where the past isn’t just remembered — it’s still sitting beside the tracks.

Durango & Silverton Railroad Silverton CO Chamber Commerce

09/07/2026

Charging Through the Animas Canyon

Deep in the Animas Canyon, the silence doesn’t last long.

On a beautiful Saturday in September, 473 and 482 emerge from around the bend, their smoke rising into the canyon as two hard-working locomotives — each more than a century old — dig into the grade toward Silverton.

With the first hints of fall beginning to paint the valley, the canyon comes alive with steam, steel, and the unmistakable sound of the narrow gauge.

Two locomotives. One mountain grade. More than 100 years of history still charging uphill.

This is the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Durango & Silverton Railroad Visit Durango, CO

Easing Home Along the AnimasAfter a successful doubleheader run to Silverton on a beautiful Saturday morning, 482 takes ...
09/07/2026

Easing Home Along the Animas

After a successful doubleheader run to Silverton on a beautiful Saturday morning, 482 takes charge of the return to Durango, easing across the Animas River beneath the towering San Juan Mountains. With the afternoon light settling into the valley and steam drifting above the locomotive, it was one of those perfect Colorado railroad moments—482, her train, the river, and the mountains all coming together in one frame.

Canon Rebel T7, Canon EF 18-135mm

Durango & Silverton Railroad Silverton CO Chamber Commerce Visit Colorado

Saturday’s Goose Comes HomeSaturday belongs to the Goose.After making the run to Silverton, Rio Grande Southern Gallopin...
09/06/2026

Saturday’s Goose Comes Home

Saturday belongs to the Goose.

After making the run to Silverton, Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose No. 5 crosses the Animas River on her way back to Durango, bringing another mountain day to a close. With the San Juan peaks towering above the line and the river rushing below, it’s hard to imagine a better setting for one of Colorado’s most unique pieces of railroad history.

And this isn’t the last Saturday for the Goose—No. 5 will make the Silverton run again over the next two Saturdays.

One Goose. One railroad. One mountain Saturday at a time.

Durango & Silverton Railroad Visit Durango, CO Galloping Goose Historical Soc

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