D&S K-28's 100th Anniversary Photo Excusion - Fall Photo Charter

The famed K-28 class of locomotives are hallmarks to the Durango & Silverton. The class of 10, 2-8-2 Mikado type, locomotives were built in 1923 at the American Locomotive Company (ALCo), the only class of narrow gauge power from ALCo. They were the first new power since the K-27 class built in 1903. The K-28 was also a decent bit smaller than the 1925 and 1928 / 1930 built K-36 and K-37 class but are known to be excellent riding power and very modern locomotives. They regularly held down the passenger train assignments on the narrow gauge until the last passenger train was discontinued in 1951. They then became standard power on the Silverton branch where the three remaining K-28s still run today.

Seven K-28's were sent to the White Pass & Yukon Railroad out of Skagway, Alaska during World War II. The US Army was utilizing the WP&Y to supply the Alaskan Highway build and needed more power. After the war, rumor has it that the DRGW were offered the 7 K-28's back but since they were pretty worn out and they really didn't need more power, they were turned down. K-28's 473, 476 and 478 were kept back by the DRGW to mainly handle the San Juan passenger trains and never sent to Alaska. They were assigned to here until 1951 when the train was discontinued and then the three became regular power out of Durango on the Silverton branch.

October 2023 was 100 years since the first K-28 was delivered to the Denver & Rio Grande Western. The 3 K-28's have been running on the D&RGW or the D&S for 100 years straight at this point. In honor of this, the Durango & Silverton made the K-28 the star of their Fall Photography event but running a rare mid train helper with the two K-28's that were currently running, 473 and 476. 478 is currently out of service awaiting a rebuild but did make an appearance. The fall photography event also was rare that it went to Silverton one day, spent the night there and then ran back the next day. This gave us an opportunity to get many run by locations in both directions and to see the upper part of the Silverton branch in the morning light on the second day.


Day 1 - Sunday, October 15th
  • Fly from Houston to Albuquerque, pick up supplies and drive to Durango.
  • Check in to The Best Western Plus - Rio Grande Inn and checked out the Durango Museum and Yard.
  • Caught the daily passenger train arriving in Durango.

Day 2 - Monday, October 16th
  • Check out of the Best Western.
  • Chase the special to Rockwood and board there.
  • Ride the mix train to Silverton.
  • Checked into the Grand Imperial Hotel
  • Reception by the D&S and presentation by Jerry Day
  • Night photography in Silverton

Day 3 - Tuesday, October 17th
  • Checked out of the Grand Imperial Hotel
  • Now 2 trains, a freight and a passenger and headed south.
  • Got off at Rockwood to chase again to Durango
  • Checked back into the Best Western - Rio Grande Inn
  • Went to dinner with some friends from the train

Day 4 - Wednesday, October 18th
  • Checked out
  • Chased the morning train with 493 and 473 to Rockwood
  • Drove back to Albuquerque and flew home

There are many excellent videos on YouTube of the event. My recommendations are below:

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