High bridge blow-down. The crew of Denver & Rio Grande Western K-28 #477 opens the blow-down valve as their locomotive leads a mixed train across the high bridge in Tacoma, near Milepost 471.2, on the northbound run to Silverton, CO.
This image was captured on an October 2024 photo shoot organized by Trains Magazine and operated by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The locomotive pictured is actually K-28 #473, re-lettered as her long-lost sister #477, which did not survive hard service in Alaska during World War II. This particular trip ran over 2 days and featured just about every kind of weather one could imagine on this line. We had rain, thunder, hail, snow (in and around Silverton) and even some sun. Although photography was a bit difficult at times, the trip yielded a lot of images that are best described as "atmospheric."
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
