Durango & Silverton Train: Heavy Snow Colorado 2-16-2010

Near Durango, Colorado operators of the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad say the heavy snow has had both a positive and negative impact on business.

One conductor, who has worked on the train for the last two decades says, he's never seen this much snow in this part of Colorado.

Train operators have been using technology that is more than 100-years-old to clear all of the snow off the narrow-gauge track; it's called a flanger. It moves snow off and away from the tracks so trains can get through.

Officials say all the snow that has fallen so far has triggered avalanches that have shut down the rail line several times this season. The historic railroad runs through some of the most rugged terrain in the state and is a huge tourist attraction both in the winter and summer.

Resort operators in nearby Telluride say that mountain town has received about 170-inches of snow so far this season.

Some say the worst weather has yet to come as March and April are the snowiest months of the year for Colorado.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• durango
• silverton
• narrow
• guage
• train
• snow
• colorado

[RANDY2045]

the sounds comes and goes