Because of the fire danger that exists in Southwest Colorado, the D&SNG will use one of its oil-burning steam engines and a diesel locomotive, which hold a lower risk of starting wildfires as opposed to the coal-fired engines, which send off sparks and small cinders.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt costs quite a bit more by the gallon to burn oil \u2026 but we don\u2019t want to use those coal burners right now during these conditions,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n
Johnson said the D&SNG was able to rebook about 800 reservations that had previously been canceled last weekend. Railroad officials will make a public announcement about the reopening Monday evening, which should bring in more bookings, he said.<\/p>\n
If bookings pick up, the railroad has the ability to add a third trip in the afternoon, he said.<\/p>\n
The D&SNG, one of the region\u2019s main tourist attractions and economic drivers, shut down in March amid the novel coronavirus outbreak<\/a>.<\/p>\n D&SNG officials previously said the railroad would be profitable only if it could run at 75% capacity. But Johnson said last week that given the unlikelihood of being allowed to run at 75%, the railroad instead looked at ways to make 50% financially feasible, resulting in the limited Rockwood to Cascade ride.<\/p>\n DeAnne Gallegos, director of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, said Monday that San Juan County Public Health, which serves San Juan County, has voiced support for the D&SNG to run at 75% so the full trip can resume, given all the other precautionary measures the railroad has put in place.<\/p>\n The D&SNG, which runs from Durango to Silverton, is technically under the jurisdiction of both San Juan Basin Public Health in La Plata County and the San Juan County Public Health in San Juan County.<\/p>\n But Devine said under the public health order (PHO), local health departments can decrease, but not increase, capacity on trains.<\/p>\n \u201cWe confirmed directly with the governor\u2019s office that the PHO allows scenic trains to operate up to 50% capacity, which is consistent with the maximum capacity limits seen anywhere else under Safer at Home to reduce contact between households and protect people\u2019s health,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A spokesman with the governor\u2019s office confirmed Monday morning that running at more than 50% capacity would require a variance request. The D&SNG dropped out of La Plata County\u2019s variance request recently and intends to run limited service until at least Aug. 15.<\/p>\n Silverton\u2019s tourist based economy is highly dependent on the D&SNG, which brings riders to town to stop for lunch and shop at the numerous gift shops.<\/p>\n Silverton itself closed to outside visitors for months after the pandemic hit in March, and in recent weeks, has been trying to reopen and encourage tourists<\/a>, Gallegos said. Without the D&SNG, it\u2019s even more difficult.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just trying to get back to business,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Johnson said the D&SNG is trying to look at ways to offer train rides out of Silverton, but it\u2019s a challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re trying to see how we could stretch ourselves out,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we don\u2019t have anything definitive yet. It\u2019s a work in progress.\u201d<\/p>\n