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I've been there. Januari 1979. In hot summer. Even with a mechanical stoker, it was hot on these engines. These days people are complaining about 40 degree Celsius, without hard work. Sissies

I grew up with steam trains running in those days between Cape Town and Simon's Town in beautiful South Africa. At eighty years young, I still thrill to the snorting, belching, puffing and pure power sound of these amazing machines! Well done to all for the great video, and long may they continue!

Great to see this but backing trains up is a no no.

Ai mense wat is nou mooier as daardie kla k - hoender vleis mooi

Fabulous iconic locomotives. In the US we had the Big Boys, in Zimbabwe you still have your beloved Garrats that still run! ❤👌

Wow Wow Wow 👍 big thank you for posting, and to all behind the scenes that made this possible 👌👏👏👏😀

How much?

i was one of the lucky ones travelled on taits year in year out then got to drive them later on they were my favorite electric train to drive after that comes the L class english electric long live the vr

Big thumbs up - another epic railroad (and video from you). Thanks.

That was awesome. Great work. From Liz from Utah

the engine crew does a grand good job . thank you for sharing.

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You've done it again Al.

Thanks for very nice video! When I visited a few years back the train unfortunately didn't run because a rainstorm had washed out a portion of the tracks.

This is Liz. That was awesome. Can’t wait for the return trip

Very cool to see this. Can't wait for the return video.

I'm glad that you enjoyed your stay in Durango. The D&S is obviously the primary tourist attraction in our town. The D&S has 8 operating steam locomotives, and they all have, with one exception (#493) been continuously operating for 98-100 years. They were not salvaged from some museum or static display. Their roster of operating steamers constitutes one of the largest collections of running steamers in the U.S. All are 2-8-2s, 3 Alco K28s, 4 Baldwin K36s, and the one Baldwin K37. All the enclosed passenger cars were built in the 1880s, but obviously been upgraded through the years, such as with air brakes and heaters. You caught the D&S at the end of its summer tourist season. Normally during the height of the season, the 8:15 train is powered by twin ALCO DL535 diesels purchased from the White Pass and Yukon railroad, and intended for yard and track maintenance work. They have "C" trucks for more traction on the outbound leg, which has some steeper roadways. They proved to be simpler and cheaper to operate than the steamers, and so the engineering and sales departments were able to put together a plan whereby they gave their passengers a $10 discount (each), which for families of (for instance) 4 people, husband, wife and 2 kids a $40 savings. Normally during the season this train has 11 cars. The 9:00 train is nearly always a double header, dual steamer powered, and with 15 cars, which is all the turnaround wye in Silverton can accommodate. This train is nearly always sold out in advance. The 9:45 train only goes about 5/8 of the way, to Cascade Canyon. It is set up for people with a) younger kids with reduced attention spans, and / or b). those wanting a steam train ride without it being an all-day trip. The concessions car carries a good supply of sandwiches and other lunchables, or a passenger can bring his / her own lunch. The route is spectacular, going through the San Juan Mountains nearly the whole trip, and paralleling the Animas River, once the trains clear the Durango Metro Area. It has been voted the nation's top scenic railroad for each of the past three years by a national travel magazine. Enjoy,, and again, thank your for visiting our town, and making this fine video of the scenic trip. In the winter, there is a daily trip to Cascade Canyon, steam powered, with the engines used having good sized snow plows, as at the higher elevations the snow gets to be some feet deep early in the season, and stays that same some feet deep through most of April.

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Well done. I think that this line that received world heritage status a few years ago if it is the one they call La Trochita. I'm off to Wikipedia to see how wrong I am. One of those airport strikes by baggage handlers in Buenos Aires stopped a party of us from the UK riding on the line. Reliability can be a serious issue when planning to see La Trochita and I do not just mean the unions.

I might add that the quick whistle after passing was a hello to the Cameraman after being recognised by the Driver.

Where is the picture of steam train to Silverton, Colorado

NICE TRAIN AND NICE VIDEO. I JOINED THE OCTOBER 1995 DORRIDGE TRAVEL TO ARGENTINA & PARAGUAY. WE COULD RIDE FROM I. J. TO ESQUEL. ENGINE BALDWIN.

What a huge country. At the bottom of the world. Astounding.

Nice looking countryside, steam locos are living identities. My friend Jeremy Brown suggested that I look at your videos and he also suggested that when I retired, I should join the Pichi Richi railway and work in the loco worjshop, which i did., don't go up there now, as it is a long way and the cost of fuel is more than I can afford now. I now spend time at the National Railway Museum, at Port Adelaide, which is only 40 mins away.

☝As with most Garratt locomotives very poor sanding gear. Have a look at American freight locomotives have sand jets on every drive wheel

Beautiful. Thank you!

As always nice work Al, will be following you.

6:18 That's me! Wonderful video!

Most excellent. Like that scene at 8:30 with the sun coming in the door! Hope there were no collisions this time!

It worth pointing out that this train would not be running without the hard work of the Steam Net 2000 group.

Great stuff Alan, it was an excellent day! Cheers Tony

Does that tender have the water condensation chambers in it?

Wonderful shots of Garratts running in Zimbabwe. I was in Zimbabwe (Nov. 2023) and the only Garratt I saw was one on display in Victoria Falls (I did hear the dinner steam train also, not a Garratt however). I went on a photo safari while there (in addition to seeing the falls) and our guide carried a rifle "just in case." Did you have to keep an eye out to stay off the menu of the local wildlife while making these videos? Anyway, thanks for sharing!

Pity about the poor light conditions, but what wonderful, wonderful footage!

Impressive! I saw many of them in 1980. Can you eventually say if there are stiil some 25NC staemers able to drive actually? I ennoyed your film!Dirk Bonne

Lovely footage, I can see why Victorians have such love and respect for the R class as New South Wales does for the C38's. Had the pleasure of riding behind R766 twice during the Hunter Valley Steamfest, she performed magnificently. The Great Train Race was like the AusSteam '88 Triple parallel run, I'll never forget it.

Did you know the man behind it all Ton Binns?

I do love these 25nc 4-8-4.

Magnificent, Big Steam.👍🏽👌🏿

Neat with the roos!

Well done Alan! Thanks for sharing. Uli

Alan, came here, as suggested by Jeremy Browne, who I have known for many years. Looks like plenty to watch, thank you.

How awesome to see a steam loco on SA rails! It was always a lovely sight for me when travelling through the Karoo in the good old days. To the guys preserving our heritage, WELL DONE, KEEP IT UP.

The wet rails almost won, but not quite. Quick thinking and persistence persevered. Great video. Thanks for capturing our memories.

Thank you..25 NC still the Mercedes of steam locomotives👍😀

Magnificent Alan brought memories when I was there in 1995 on the Union ltd tour cheers Henk

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