A train for Silverton departs Durango in June 2015.
Brian Schmidt
DURANGO, Colo. – Ridership on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is down 27 percent this year due to shutdowns related to wildfires and mudslides, the Durango Herald reports.
Since June, the railroad has had 54,000 cancellations as a result of a wildfire that shut down the railroad near Hermosa for six weeks and then a series of mudslides that impacted the railroad between Hermosa and Rockwood. Since July, the Durango & Silverton has been busing passengers from Durango to Rockwood where they board trains for the round trip to Silverton.
The railroad typically moves 197,000 passengers annually.
The railroad expects to resume regular operations between Durango and Silverton sometime in mid-September.
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They have had a rough year, no doubt about it. A line dependent on tourist trade (yes, I know, D&S is listed as a common carrier but we all know the reality) is typically not a cash cow. I hope they weather this, for many reasons.
The above comments are general in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Go find your own damn lawyer.
I did not as of the time of the first wildfire have a reservation but I cancelled my proposed trip when it became apparent that the summer was going to be a bust for the D & S. At this point I think I’ll reschedule for next year and see what happens. But, I’m not going out there if the only option is diesels. Coal or oil fired steamers are OK but not diesels on this heritage line.