Durango & Silverton Cab Ride

[ColoradoRailroads1]

I had to play the video full screen before I saw that the steam was obscuring and filtering a direct shot at the sun.

Beautiful video and a memorable cab ride!

[Chebyrice78]

There is alot of steamers running in the US, as well as the rest of the world. However, if you want to hear one work, and I mean work hard the way it was designed to, then you must visit Colorado and ride the mountain narrow gauge. Its an incredible experience to be in the presence of any of these old Rio Grande locomotives when theyre running home turf.

[durangokids1]

Uncle Bill is a really nice guy. I love haing an uncle who works for that train!

[durangokids1]

My uncle is the enginer. Bill Colley! awsome video.

[fasionbug]

@durangokids1 haha, Bill's a funny guy to talk to. I did MOW for the D&S and he always gave us a wave while we toiled away on the tracks!

[Abitibidoug]

I don't know what else to say except great video with great sound. It really shows what it looks like in the cab of a running steam locomotive. About the only thing missing is the heat and smell of smoke. I noticed that during stoking of the fire, the fire box doors were never open more than necessary. Is that to keep smoke out of the cab?

[salemcripple]

@Abitibidoug It's to control the fire box temp. If they're open more than necessary, more air gets in there than what is needed, which will increase the temp of the fire. If the fire gets too hot it could melt the boiler tubes.

[SR6900]

@salemcripple Actually, leaving the doors open will decrease the temperature (and subsequently boiler pressure), as it lets cold air pass through the tubes, which can weaken and crack them. What you may be thinking of are dampers, which effect the airflow through the grates and the fire, but many locomotives do not have these.

[salemcripple]

@SR6900 Ah, i see. thanks for the correction. I figured it was like my wood burning stove at home. More air flow = more heat.

[Abitibidoug]

@SR6900 Thanks SR6900 and salemcripple for explaining this matter, it all makes sense now.

Abitibidoug Enthusiast of electrical and mechanical stuff, including steam locomotives.

[durangokenpo]

That engineer is my uncle! His nickname is Hollywood, you can see why

[CGiordano464]

is it relly 1000 bucks for a cab ride becuz id rather go to my club and actually run one of are steamers than sit in a cab and watch someone do it all!

[62antique]

I am thinking of doing this cab ride on the D&SNG this coming summer, . Is it worth the cost ? Thanks for your feedback ! and thanks for posting !!! Regards, 62antique

[addington86]

is that a radio on the brake stand?

[JaiahHazelnutBrown]

Yeah that radio is probably about as old as the engine, haha!

[durangokenpo]

um, no

[slinky460]

He was going to sit back down, but decided not to and give the box two. I had to laugh as I know the feeling. You want to sit down, but you don't want the engineer looking at the steam pressure. Watch your steam, water level, holes in the fire, the stack, give the grates one shake now and then, keep the deck plate clean or you will fall down. Keep the butterfly doors closed. Run to the back of the tender for a scoop near the end of the trip. It is a hot dirty job, but can be fun at times.

[slinky460]

I worked as a fireman on a NG locomotive in the past. This brings back memories for sure. There is a lot of noise in the cab of a steam locomotive and you have to yell a lot. Sign language works better. There is a art to feeding the fire box and keeping the butterfly doors shut while on the move. Four to the right, four to the left, (bounce off the fire box wall) two in the front, drop two in the rear. one or two down the middle. Start the injector and go. Keep the cinders out of your hair.