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SILVERTON \u2013 In a sign of strange times, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad didn\u2019t take passengers Thursday through the San Juan Mountains to the town of Silverton; rather, the locomotive ferried food and medical supplies.<\/p>\n
An \u201cessential services train\u201d left the Durango depot about 8:30 a.m. and arrived in Silverton about noon with the supplies. While the train did not carry passengers, members of the Harper family, who own the railroad, were on board to meet with local leaders.<\/p>\n
With the train\u2019s arrival, Silverton, which has been closed to outsiders since March because of coronavirus restrictions, announced it was open to visitors.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost importantly, this is the train\u2019s version of an F-16 flyover,\u201d said DeAnne Gallegos, director of the Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce. \u201cIt\u2019s bringing support and hope and energy into town.\u201d<\/p>\n
In March, San Juan County implemented a locals-only policy that prohibited nonessential travel into Silverton, effectively cutting off the mountain hamlet.<\/p>\n
After the public health order expired in May, the county adopted Gov. Jared Polis\u2019 \u201csafer at home\u201d policy, which contained a clause that said people could not travel more than 10 miles for recreational purposes.<\/p>\n
Silverton\u2019s self-imposed isolation seems to have helped slow the spread of the virus. As of Thursday, San Juan County, which has about 600 residents, had only one confirmed case of the virus and no deaths. Health officials have said, however, the virus is likely more widespread than reported.<\/p>\n
Now, Silverton officials cautiously are trying to attract tourists, Gallegos said, still wary that a surge of visitors could overburden the small community.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we also understand we are a tourism-based economy, and livelihood is just as important for our little community, because that is how we all survive,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The train ride was meant to boost morale and amplify the message that Silverton is open, Gallegos said.<\/p>\n
A crowd gathered at the station for the railroad\u2019s first oil-burning locomotive to arrive. Waiting at a safe distance, nearly everyone wore a face covering, and for those dressed in 1800s attire, the masks didn\u2019t look out of place.<\/p>\n
Judy Coleman, a Silverton native, had her daughter make her a mask that matched her outfit. Coleman said the scene was not a normal train welcoming, but people were making the most of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very different,\u201d she said. \u201cBut at least it\u2019s something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s train ride also served other purposes.<\/p>\n
Molly Barela, owner of the Golden Block Brewery and a volunteer with the town\u2019s food bank, said the supplies would help restock pantries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been having an inability to get food to our food bank and those in need,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The D&SNG also has been closed since March and has been looking for a way to follow safety regulations while carrying enough passengers to make a profit. The D&SNG is a significant tourist attraction for both Durango and Silverton.<\/p>\n
Al Harper was not available for comment at Thursday\u2019s event and did not return a call seeking comment. But his son, John Harper, D&SNG general manager, said the railroad was \u201ctaking all the right steps\u201d to reopen by implementing social distancing measures, taking staff temperatures and issuing a symptom questionnaire.<\/p>\n
However, the railroad needs 75% capacity to make it profitable, he said, which might conflict with state guidance of keeping people 6 feet apart.<\/p>\n
La Plata County is working on a variance request to jump-start the railroad business. And Silverton is challenging the D&SNG to get creative.<\/p>\n
In 2002, for instance, as the Missionary Ridge Fire burned between Durango and Silverton, the D&SNG ran trips out of Silverton to popular recreation areas like Elk Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll businesses are being challenged to diversify during the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d Gallegos said. \u201cWe\u2019re asking the same of the train: think outside the box and offer rail excursions on both sides of the railroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several Silverton businesses interviewed Thursday said they are ready for visitors.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s unclear when the D&SNG may be able to ride again, outdoor recreation is kicking back up: The San Juan National Forest is set to reopen campgrounds, and San Juan County is preparing to clear backcountry roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe feel a little more comfortable opening up,\u201d said San Juan County Administrator Willy Tookey.<\/p>\n
Paul Zimmerman, owner of the Pickle Barrel Restaurant, called the town\u2019s pivot to reopening \u201cthe right move.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSociety as a whole can\u2019t continue on in fear mode and hiding out,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a virus. It\u2019s scary. But we have to live.\u201d<\/p>\n
But after weeks of discouraging outsiders, Zimmerman and Inga McFadden, owner of Coffee Bear Silverton, a coffee shop, said it might be difficult to persuade visitors to return.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur reputation has really tanked,\u201d McFadden said. \u201cBut I hope we rebuild that slowly, because we are a tourist town.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just as big of a mystery, Gallegos said, is when the town will see the D&SNG blow its steam and smoke again.<\/p>\n
\u201cSilverton would not exist without that railroad,\u201d she said. \u201cBut we don\u2019t know when the next opportunity for the train to run will be.\u201d<\/p>\n