For my birthday this year, my pal Dan bought me a ticket to ride the Rio Grand Southern #20 on the Durango and Silverton Line. Something I found out later to be very historic. After a 14 year refit, the RGS #20 was back on the D&GS. Restored by the Colorado Railroad Museum, It finally returned over 70 years later.

So Dan and I hopped in the 4runner and headed down to Durango for a long weekend. We had one day to enjoy riding the RGS #20 special and two evenings in town. Last evening we were able to meet up with our pal Corbat and his wife (they own the Durango Magazine), who treated us to some fine Mexican Food. Then, just a long drive back home.

As we arrived into Durango, we set out to find some places to chase #20 as it made it’s way back to the yard. Seems we weren’t the only ones doing that.

My pal Dan seemed to know everyone in the roundhouse (he’s helping rebuild a Steam Engine at the Como Roundhouse ). So we spent some time chatting with the crew at the roundhouse before and after the train ride.

Some shots of RGS # 20 prepping for the day’s outing to Cascade Wye.

Making our way up the mountain towards Cascade Wye.

The tracks follow along the Animas River.

Stopped at Cascade Wye for a break before heading back to Durango and the yard.

Being a special, and the way back to Durango, they let everyone out and did a few drive bys for the group.

Enjoying some great Mexican food with some friends that live in town to end the day.

The next morning, before the drive home, we chased the normal train through town.