The Early Days of the Durango & Silverton - 1981

In 1981, Florida citrus grower Charles E. Bradshaw Jr. purchased the Silverton Branch of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, and began operating tourist excursions as the "Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad." This footage captures the first trains operated by the new company in May 1981 (note the almost-indecipherable D&SNG tender lettering, which was quickly replaced).

[@brianfalzon6739]

Wow, those were the better days! Well done!

[@HOTRAILProductions]

Video in 1981?

[@djbruno6730]

Great video do you have cass railroad?

[@atsfevan0242]

Am I the only one who hates the way the lettering is on the tenders on how small it is?

[@amberlantern9328]

Nope

[@agwrr71productions79]

That's probably why they changed the lettering on the tenders.

[@atsfevan0242]

@@agwrr71productions79 yeah it's 10 times better now

[@joshuamcneal]

Yes, it took them a month or two to figure out those fonts were too small. 481 went into service later that summer with the larger lettering.

[@erikthetrainfan7768]

What does it say on the tender?

[@maxwellsteam5810]

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Scenic Railroad