<\/p>\n
The Galloping Goose No. 5 will be running the rails again this winter in the Animas Valley.<\/p>\n
The second annual winter excursion will take place over two weekends in February on the Durango and Silverton Railroad, traveling from Durango to the Cascade Wye.<\/p>\n
Photo excursions are scheduled for Feb. 17 and 18. Photo run-bys on these days will give passengers opportunity to detrain and take pictures and videos of the goose and steam locomotive running along scenic points. The price is $169 on Saturday, and $189 on Sunday.<\/p>\n
On Feb. 23 and 24, the Goose will run again, but without the photo run by option. Tickets on those days is $115.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first weekend trips with the photo run-bys are longer and are geared toward a more serious rail fan,\u201d said Goose motorman Joe Becker.<\/p>\n
The onboard wood stove will warm passengers in the back, and a newly installed bus heater will keep passengers in front comfortable. A replica plow will help keep the tracks clear if it snows.<\/p>\n
Volunteers with the Galloping Goose Historical Society will present the history of the Goose to passengers.<\/p>\n
Stories include past winter travel on the Goose, including one from the 1930s where passengers had to jump off into snowdrifts at Trout Lake. Another story is of a snowbound Galloping Goose that was stranded for three days. Supplies were dropped by an airplane from Cortez, and Ruby Gonzales\u2019 dad hiked in with additional supplies.<\/p>\n
For the first time on Feb. 22, The Galloping Goose Historical Society will host a school field trip.<\/p>\n
Fifth-grade students will travel to Durango and ride the Goose No. 5 up the Animas Valley and tour the railroad museum.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is an opportunity for kids to live history, and gives them the experience of what it was like to ride on the Galloping Goose,\u201d Becker said.<\/p>\n