Recollections of the Narrow Gauge
- Warren Cotts -
During the mid forties, we lived in Durango and my Mother and I would
ride to Silverton and back every Wednesday on the Rio Grande. Back then
it cost us 50 cents for the trip. The train consisted of coach cars and
flat bedstock haulers. There were no tourists to speak of at that time.
The only passengers, which were few, were miners, miner's wives, residents
who lived along the Animas River, some fishermen and sheepherders. The
train would stop along the route to drop off supplies and mail at various
points. We would also stop to load or unload sheep which could take up
to an hour. The train would also stop to drop off and pick up fishermen,
gold panners, etc.
The interior of the coach cars (seats) were of a faded maroon, velvet fabric.
I remember they always smelled musty. There was a Ben-Franklin type coal
stove that sat near the rear door in a corner.
Many times we would stop at the water station at Hermosa to take on water.
And on the route up, I would stick my head out the window and smell the
coal smoke and steam from the engine. Once in a while I would get a cinder
in the eye.
Durango was small at that time. Probably 4 or 5 thousand residents. The
college and housing additions on the east side were not there. The housing
additions on the hill to the west side also weren't there. In fact, we
use to play in an old Indian kiva on the west hill top when I was young.
I'm sorry that I can't give more history on the Rio Grande but only what
it was like as a passenger and little boy aboard it at that time. I return
to Durango every Spring and Summer and when I hear the Silverton's whistle
blowing and the bell, I close my eyes and it takes me back to my childhood
and the trips my Mother and I made. Recently I was in the old depot and
much of it is still the same. The ticket agent window, wooden floors and
coal stove are original, but the gift shop and a few other areas are new.
Silverton was practically a ghost town then. Most buildings were vacant.
I think there were a couple of bars open and a few resident miners still
hanging on. The main street was gravel. The highway into Silverton then
was usually closed off in the winter time. The Million Dollar highway (between
Silverton and Ouray) was almost a single lane gravel road with rock retainers
along it. We used to travel between Delta and Durango in an old Model "A"
Ford and many times we would have to stop and back up to let a bus or truck
by.
Kindest regards,
Warren Cotts
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