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The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge sent two trains and 750 passengers to Silverton on Thursday, 41 days after being shut down for the 416 Fire and extreme fire conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to see so many people,\u201d said Al Harper, owner of the train. \u201cI\u2019m just excited to see all the activity and all the happy people. It\u2019s a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Well-wishers waived at passengers as the coal-fired locomotives blew their whistles and rolled out of the station at 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. in Durango. Some residents stopped their workdays to come out of their offices and waive to passengers as the first train made its way through downtown Durango.<\/p>\n
The 416 Fire has taken a toll on the local economy, and many residences and businesses are happy to see fire conditions mitigated and the D&SNG return to full service. The town of Silverton, about 50 miles north of Durango, is heavily reliant on the train delivering tens of thousands of passengers every summer.<\/p>\n
The cause of the 416 Fire remains under investigation, but neighbors who live near the train tracks where the fire started said a cinder from a locomotive started the wildfire, which had grown to more than 51,000 acres.<\/p>\n
The railroad has entered into a deal with Durango Fire Protection District to provide extra firefighters. The train is also about to sign a contract to acquire two diesel locomotives that would be able to take haul full-length trains to Silverton during high-fire danger, Harper said.<\/p>\n
The railroad is also converting a coal-fired engine to an oil burner.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to paint those three locomotives green in an effort to let people know we\u2019re serious and committed to making this work,\u201d Harper said.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, pop cars and water tankers will follow more closely to locomotives and keep a watchful eye on potential spot fires. The railroad also contracted a helicopter to patrol the tracks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is so much as a spark, we\u2019ll catch it much quicker,\u201d Harper said.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWe\u2019ve had people waving from cars and lining the streets. I think the community as a whole is really excited about getting the trains back in operation.\u201d<\/p>\n