Steam Men - Life on a Steam Engine Train

Learn what it’s like to be a fireman and engineer on a steam locomotive. Join Steve Otten and Matt Cunningham of the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad as they make the beautiful and sometimes terrifying trip from Durango to Silverton in the majestic San Juan Mountains located in Southwest Colorado. Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1880. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed and the train began hauling both passengers and freight. From the very beginning, the railroad was promoted as a scenic route for passenger service although the line was constructed primarily to haul mine ores, both gold and silver, from the San Juan Mountains. It is estimated over $300 million in precious metals has been transported over this route.