Durango Railroad Historical Society

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Durango Railroad Historical Society Follow us for restoration and excursion updates.

The Durango Railroad Historical Society preserves the narrow gauge railroad heritage of southwest Colorado, including the fully restored D&RGW 315 steam locomotive built in 1895.

The 168 and the 315 doubleheaded on the Cumbres & Toltec last week, pulling for the Locomotive 492 fundraiser from Anton...
10/07/2026

The 168 and the 315 doubleheaded on the Cumbres & Toltec last week, pulling for the Locomotive 492 fundraiser from Antonito to Osier and back on the second of two days. Our thanks to everyone who rode, to the Cumbres & Toltec crews, and the volunteers who made this event possible.

Not done chasing the 315 this fall? There's still time to join Pete Lerro's two-day photo charter on October 27–28. Details and booking at lerrophotography.com.

The 315 steams through the west side of the rock tunnel yesterday. Thanks to DRHS president Scott Gibbs for the great ph...
09/28/2026

The 315 steams through the west side of the rock tunnel yesterday. Thanks to DRHS president Scott Gibbs for the great photo!

Yesterday the 315 had a great run in Memory of Tom Artsburger, Jerry Hoffer, Mark Kasprowicz and A. Lewis Dahm. From Ant...
09/28/2026

Yesterday the 315 had a great run in Memory of Tom Artsburger, Jerry Hoffer, Mark Kasprowicz and A. Lewis Dahm. From Antonito to Osier and back. Thanks to these men that got her going and kept her going! She's out again today for the Locomotive 492 fundraiser in a doubleheaderwith 168. More photos to come!

Sitting pretty in the aspens. 315 making it's way over to Antonito today hauling some freight cars and a caboose!
09/25/2026

Sitting pretty in the aspens. 315 making it's way over to Antonito today hauling some freight cars and a caboose!

The 315 is on the move! She has left Chama headed for Antonito this morning. Getting ready for the upcoming excursions o...
09/25/2026

The 315 is on the move! She has left Chama headed for Antonito this morning. Getting ready for the upcoming excursions on Sunday and Monday. This is a very unique way to leaf peep the fall colors. Tickets are still available!

The 315 sits in Chama tonight, steamed up and waiting. Tomorrow morning at 8:00 she runs the line to Antonito — over Cum...
09/24/2026

The 315 sits in Chama tonight, steamed up and waiting. Tomorrow morning at 8:00 she runs the line to Antonito — over Cumbres Pass and down through the high country. If you're out chasing tomorrow, keep an eye out for her.

Then Sunday and Monday she goes to work, pulling two fundraising photo charters from Antonito to Osier and back.

There is still time to book your seats at cumbrestoltec.com.

On Friday the 25th, the 315 runs from Chama to Antonito. If you're out chasing, keep an eye out.Then on September 27 and...
09/19/2026

On Friday the 25th, the 315 runs from Chama to Antonito. If you're out chasing, keep an eye out.

Then on September 27 and 28, she pulls two fundraising photo charters on the Cumbres & Toltec — and there are still seats available on both days.

Sunday, September 27 — Memorial Charter for board members that we lost over the last year. Antonito to Osier and back. Photo runbys along the route, an evening night shoot with the 168 and 315 lit after dark is planned, and a book signing with author George Niederauer. A great opportunity to pick up a signed copy of the 315 book.

Monday, September 28 — Locomotive 492 Fundraiser
A second full day of photo charter running behind the 315, with proceeds supporting the restoration of Locomotive 492. Every dollar of ticket revenue is matched. Full details at cumbrestoltec.com.

Both days run through northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, with fall color along the line.

Book at cumbrestoltec.com under Unique Rail Experiences.

Crews work the turntable by hand while the 315 sits in steam, framed by the canyon walls above Ouray. Photographed by Br...
08/28/2026

Crews work the turntable by hand while the 315 sits in steam, framed by the canyon walls above Ouray. Photographed by Brent MacGregor and colorized by Richard Crabtree — the original black and white can be found on page 91 of Locomotive 315: The Lives, Times, and Rebirth of an 1895 Steam Engine.

More than eighty years on, she's still working.

This September, she returns to the Cumbres & Toltec for two fundraising photo charters:

Sunday, September 27 — The Tom Artzberger Memorial Photo Charter
A mixed train from Antonito to Osier to Antonito, honoring Tom Artzberger, Jerry Hoffer, Mark Kasprowicz and A. Lewis Dahm all were DRHS board members lost this past year. This exursionwill include an evening night shoot with the 168 and 315 lit after dark, and a book signing with author George Niederauer.

Monday, September 28 — Locomotive 492 Fundraiser
A rare doubleheader, the 168 and 315 working the same train. Departure at 6 AM for a sunrise shoot at Ferguson. Every dollar of ticket revenue will be matched.

60 seats each · $500 per seat · both timed for peak fall color, photo runbys will happen for participants on each train.

More information can be found at https://www.drhs315.org/
Book at https://cumbrestoltec.com/ under Unique Rail Experiences

The 315 is back in steam!The D&RGW 315 has completed her annual FRA inspection in Chama — boiler tested, running gear in...
08/13/2026

The 315 is back in steam!

The D&RGW 315 has completed her annual FRA inspection in Chama — boiler tested, running gear inspected, air compressors rebuilt, everything buttoned back up. Our thanks to our volunteers who worked to make this happen.

She'll be out moving around the yard, and might be doing some switching in the Chama on Thursday afternoon, August 13. Can't be there in person? Watch the webcams and you might catch her working: friendsofcumbrestoltec.org/webcams/

Then in September, she goes to work.

Two fundraising photo charters on the Cumbres & Toltec — and seats on both are already selling.

Sunday, September 27 — The Tom Artzberger Memorial Photo Charter
A mixed train from Antonito to Osier honoring Tom Artzberger and fellow DRHS board members, Jerry Hoffer, Mark Kasprowicz and A. Lewis Dahm, lost this past year. Photo runbys along the route, an evening night photo shoot with the 168 and 315 lit after dark, and a book signing with author George Niederauer. Proceeds support the 315's continued operation.

Monday, September 28 — Locomotive 492 Fundraiser
A rare doubleheader — the 168 and 315 working the same train, departing at 6 AM for a sunrise shoot at Ferguson. Every dollar of ticket revenue will be matched, doubling the support for the 492's restoration.

60 seats each, $500 per seat, both timed for peak fall color.

More information can be found on our website www.drhs315.org
or if you are ready to book at cumbrestoltec.com under Unique Rail Experiences.

Want to improve your railfanning photography?
October 27–28 — Lerro Photography Charter
A two-day photo charter with Pete Lerro Photography, based in Chama and Antonito. Booked separately through Lerro Photography.

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Silverton, CO
81301

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