We take a ride on 'The Silverton' in '1972'

Join us as we take a ride on the Denver and Rio Grande Western's "The Silverton" (Cue your version of C.W. McCall's 'Silverton Train' on your vinyl record player) as we take a ride on what could have been a version of the D&RGW's train 461/462 or 463/464 as it pounded the rails anytime after 1972 as event coordinator Russell at the Durango and Silverton recreated many details including the 'backward' tender heralds on the 476's fireman's side.
While on the other side of the Continental Divide, the fledgling Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad was getting its start, the Rio Grande continued the tradition of the Silverton service using the venerable K-28 470's built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) wearing those beautiful Diamond Stacks (Hey, Bell Bottoms were in, why not flared stacks, I mean, railfans like flared radiators on the SD45's, what makes these stacks any worse?)
Under the guidance of railroad event manager Russell Heerdt backdated K-28 #476 to its historically correct appearance of 1972. The tender received the correct ‘Flying’ Rio Grande Herald for 1972 onwards to accomplish this look. Yes, the herald of the fireman’s side ‘wrong way slanted’ is correct for the period. The rerailing frogs on the tender were painted yellow, the doghouse removed, while extra silver trim and larger railroad Roman numbers were added to the cab and number board below the headlight. Finally, the historically accurate diamond stack was reinstalled around the regular stack. Of course, when we say historically accurate, we do mean to the time, as these locomotives, built in 1923, unlike true 1880s locomotives, did not come with them as built. Other than aesthetics, the stacks served no purpose other than falsely backdating these modern steam locomotives back to the Wild West days. As a bit of a lightning rod, many in the older railfan community considered them a tacky addition to these locomotives. For those of us born too late though, there was an urge to see them reinstalled, but only for a short time.
To complete the train, a set of coaches and a gondola were re-lettered into the correct ‘circus font’ that spelled out the full name of the Denver and Rio Grande Western. Three of the 330 series of coaches home built by the Rio Grande at Burnham in 1963 and 1964 were turned to have their bathrooms on the leading edge, another detail noted by Heerdt to be correct for the era, though the blank panels on the cars that once held the coal burning stove has now been replaced with a second restroom facility. These steel cars would have been seen on the leading edge of the Grande and early D&S trains from their introduction. Following these cars was concession car 212, a bit modified from the 1972 season such as more window and roller bearings, but with the re-installation of a baggage door, it looks more like it should than it has for the last forty years. Coach 327, a modernized San Juan Coach brings up the rear of the enclosed cars, while gondola 412 brings up markers.

[@YardLimit]

Great work! The narration is nicely done.

[@wolfgangpfeilergartenbahnd6530]

Fantastic historical photos of the Denver and Rio Grande Western, and Silverton and the modern era. Great video, thanks for sharing and best regards.

[@slanderedstone]

Always love the stuff you put up Diehl! This one was a fun watch

[@TrainMedia00]

The rio grande K-28s with those fat stacks never gets old 🤤❤️‍🔥

[@brianfalzon6739]

Nice job!

[@rickdee67]

THANK YOU! I live in Omaha Nebraska and it took us 16 hours to drive home from Durango in July 2023 after spending four nights there and riding the train on the 16th. Going to Durango and riding the DSNG was a dream of mine since I was a little kid, and thanks to you I get to see it from many perspectives on a regular basis. Thank you for your hard work dedication and sharing your talents in photography and narration of this amazing railroad next trip. We are going to the Cumbres’s in Toltec!

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Another beautiful video! Love it.
Those clips at the end made me laugh 😂

[@Big_Diehl]

Thanks! There’s another Star Trek Easter Egg hidden in the first couple of minutes of the video as well… 🤣😉

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

​@@Big_DiehlGahh! I looked again and I couldn't see that. (But then I'm not a Trekkie 🙈).

[@jjxtwo1]

I rode for the first time in 1977. I remember the thick black smoke looked so amazing puffing out of the locomotive. It was a wonderful trip.

[@duanewhite3275]

Thank you for sharing another fantastic video of the beautiful Durango and Silverton railroad.

[@Big_Diehl]

Thank you very much!

[@CinemaRepository]

That was fun! Great job!

[@TNRailProductions_01]

Grand video

[@Big_Diehl]

*Grande ? 😂🤣

[@TNRailProductions_01]

@@Big_Diehl 😂

[@Ruggedrails]

Ahhh yes still the best ❤