On Saturday, December 6th 2014, our group of fun Kossacks got together for a meet-up in Durango, Colorado. Not just any meet-up would do for FCKers like us, so, we took a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. I think it's fair to say we captured two Dailykos meet-up records: 1. Our meet-up was the highest ever(9000'!), and 2., it was an all-day event. So we were high all day.
Highest and longest, other kossack groups, highest & longest--the gauntlet has been thrown down!
This recap diary is loaded with pictures, so I'll try to keep the commentary to a minimum, and allow the gorgeous majesty of the San Juan Mountains and our steam locomotive to show you our day.
We assembled at the train depot in downtown Durango & introduced ourselves to folks we hadn't previously met as we boarded Ol Locomotive 482 & her train. 482 was built in 1923. When loaded with coal & water, she weighs 286,600 lbs! As you can imagine--the train she pulls is no lightweight either. We used approximately 3 tons of clean(not!) local Colorado coal(mined at the King II Mine, west of town) during our excursion to the Cascade Wye--as steam locomotives have been doing for over a century.
As a note of information regarding why it's called a Narrow Gauge Railroad, the 'gauge' of a railroad refers to the distance between the two tracks. 99% of all trains in America have a gauge of 4' 81/2"--from the Acela to the NY Subway--it's 4' 81/2". A narrow gauge railroad, almost always used in mountainous terrain, is an even 3 feet. That's just over 20" difference. And the difference is noticeable in the ride. The more narrow the track, the more the train rocks & wobbles as it moves--a more narrow wheel base causes the motion in the same way a sports car is more shifty than a Lincoln Continental... The reason for using a narrow gauge isn't in the train itself: it is in the laying of track. Many, many thousands of tons of rock were blasted away to lay the track as it moves through the mountains and clings to the mountainside. And not having to blast an extra 20" of mountainside away to lay track for many miles saves a ...trainload of money.
Okay, enough text, let's get to the pictures. Meet me at the station, just over the pile of orange coal dust.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train Depot:
The lovely Miss 482:
She breathes!
And she's hungry for coal. Shovel that coal, Casey Jones!
If ya squint real hard, you can see our Presidential Class car, The Cinco Animas, way, way back there...
Let's walk back & have a look at our car:
ALL ABOARD!! Our pre-ride safety presentation--we paid rapt attention as you can see.
L-R Kossack unfangus, Mrs. unfangus, our train wench, er, train attendant Heather(standing), kossack HeroMachine, my friend Darcy. And that's unfangus' cowboy hat--we can wear cowboy hats here w/o irony or hipster intent!
The first bridge over the Animas River, just leaving town
More Kossacks:
Foreground: Tom M, Allison Morrissey(our newly elected La Plata County Treasurer-Yay Allison!). Background: the back of Lucytooner's head, & Mr. Lucytooner. All are enjoying real Pullman seats. Oh yes they're comfy!
Passing through the Hermosa Valley, we see the Hermosa Cliffs
The Fella chatting with Darcy--who is on the rear platform of the train. Many of the pics coming up are taken from the rear platform...
Lucytooners clings to the rear platform while Mr. Lucytooners smiles!
We've left town & moved away from the roads--just us train folk now. This is looking ahead at the train as it begins one of many, many turns
And looking behind us. By building the track to a 'narrow gauge', there's 20" more rock face left here
A little snow on the ridge, a lake below
Oooh--getting a little cliff-like
Yes, it's awesome
Definitely getting up there, the Animas River is beginning to look far away
Starting to look steep down to the river, huh?
Oooh those rocks are getting close!
AIIEE! REAL steep now
Cliff too close! CLIFF TOO CLOSE!!
TOO CLOSE I SAID!!
Okay. Better
Wait, wait...now we're too close to the river
Are we almost at the turn-around yet? This is scary! Yes--CASCADE WYE, NEXT STOP!!
A Trainman applies 1800's technology to track switching
The end of the line at Cascade Wye. Lunch Time! Everybody off the train
I'll be honest: you'll never find thinner ice than this
The pavilion no one went to. There's a footbridge to check out!
Hey, hey everyone! Wait! We need a group shot!
OH COME ON! We'll never ID folks in that pic! get closer!
L-R: Mr. & Mrs. Unknown(they were the folks who beat me to two of the tickets to the Cinco Animas car. Probably rich Republican Texans since it would serve them right to ride a train with a bunch of FCKers. We demanded they be in our pic--because that's how we Durangotangs are...), Mr. & Mrs. unfangus, Lucytooners with her hands on Mr. Lucytooners shoulders, Tom Morrissey, Allison Morrissey, Thinking Fella(rear), HeroMachine(kneeling), Kim(in hat) & her partner Nan(in train), Darcy(in front of Kim) ERRN & Mr. ERRN(kneeling), and 'Dr. lurker & Dr. lurker'(both standing)
Darcy & HeroMachine
Doctor & Doctor lurker from Pagosa Springs, Mr. ERRN, Lucytooners, ERRN, Mr. Lucytooners
Footbridge over the Animas River at the Cascade Wye
The Fella in his native habitat
Not much snow, but there was a tiny bit along the river
So...at lunch time, the Fireman(a REAL Fireman--one who keeps the fire going, not a guy who puts fires out) kept badgering me. "So, do you really know The Diva? Really? You know her right? You wouldn't lie, right?" On & on he went...until finally:
"Would you give her this gift? It's from every Fireman ever"
Okay, let's head home.
MAN it's those close cliffs again!
Looong way down
Yikes!
Everyone's a comedian. GET YER HEAD IN MAN!
Hey, I know--let's check out the rest of the train cars:
Who's having fun? Train guy & Darcy, that's who:
Non-Presidential Class car
Outdoor car
Troublemakers!
Kim, Nan, HeroMachine, Darcy
Narrow Gauge train, narrow door
Here's how I am:
"Oh, look at you guys! In your own car, lookin all cute & stuff--may I please take your picture?" "Sure dude, snap away!" I have no idea who these people are. :D
"Hey man-nice hat! Can I take your picture?" "Sure Fella, be my guest" (Again--some dude on the train, no idea who he is. I did not get a signed release: Please don't sue me.) Click.
Woooooo Woooooo! The train whistle means we're getting back into town, and our adventure is ending. Trust me when I say a GREAT time was had by all--Kossacks & Dkos lurkers alike! Everyone had a chance to chat, move around & check out the whole train while it was moving, and confirm amongst ourselves: Dailykos ROCKS!
By then it was 3p.m., and we were ready to...stop moving. A very successful meet-up! Epic even.
We went our separate ways, and I even had time to take my pups, Fletcher & lil Chris for a walk. It was such a good day, this guy was waiting for us on our walk on my land to discuss the whole thing. I think his name was ...Buck.
Wanna ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad? Here's their website: http://www.durangotrain.com/
Wanna ride the D&SNGRR with a bunch of Kossacks? Start planning now! We'll be doing the ride again in late Spring(I hope) & next December on Local's Day again. You're invited, hope to see you on the train!