In late September 1995, the oldest operating narrow gauge steam engine made a visit to one of Colorado’s popular tourist railroads.

First the program starts with the workmen removing the engine from the semi truck to D&S rails, as well as seeing the men coupling the tender to the engine. Plus pushing the engine to the turntable with some help from a diesel powered railbus, and after using the turntable, the workers pushed the engine into the roundhouse.

Inside the roundhouse, maintenance is performed all over the locomotive, and when the day is done, the following Saturday morning finds the doubleheader on the high line above the animas river canyon with 478 and 476, and the other with just 482 powering the second train of the day. Next we see 480 at Trimble wearing 473’s whistle, And finally, speaking of 473, we witnessed the engine departing Durango at about 107 minutes before noon, in other words 10:13 AM. Meanwhile at the roundhouse, the eureka is slowly building steam and also leaving the roundhouse. Halfway between the roundhouse and the turntable, the engine stopped to replace her old fashioned pin coupler, with today’s knuckle types so that the little old engine could haul the D&S equipment. More preparations are done and sure enough after the hard work at the roundhouse, the engine heads for a spin at the turntable. Plus some sand loading with a bucket and also another spin on the turntable.

The Saturday chores concludes with 482 arriving back in Durango, and the pre-sunrise darkness of Sunday shows the little old engine leaving the roundhouse and onto the turntable. After The eureka leaves the roundhouse and turntable, we see 480 going over the turntable and while the eureka is coupled to her train of the day, 478 heads for the fueling station but going backwards. With the sun almost in the sky the little old engine heads down the line pulling coach 291 and also caboose 500 on the rear. As the eureka whistles off screen, 478 switches tracks, and we are crossing the animas river, followed by a stop at home ranch siding to wait for 478 pulling the San Juan express. Next we did a little pacing at hermosa to the water tower. After a long drink, the Engine climbs up hermosa hill. Then we see some wood loading at Rockwood. Afterwards 482 Passes the eureka heading for the high line. From the front of coach 291, we are off to the high line over the animas river canyon. Followed by some dramatic scenes over the canyon and also crossing various bridges decending the grade and also for a good long drink at tank creek with overflowing water splashing the workers. Then we are off to cascade canyon to wait for 476 to silverton, and also see 478 on the San Juan special leaving the wye heading for the mainline. Then we were on our way passing the maintenance equipment at needleton siding. Plus backing up to the siding, with only the caboose and the eureka. A meet with 482 is shown and we made a stop at the water tower for a good long drink with an epic overflow. Afterwards we head to elk park wye to wait for 476 going by. Arriving at silverton, the eureka meets with 480 heading back to Durango. Followed by 482 going backwards and heads back to Durango. And also see 476 going backwards heading for the wye. Then the eureka makes a good runby at silverton.

The following Monday, the earliest snowfall arrives in the west and the eureka heads for the woodpile. Then we are going to needleton. Riding onboard the caboose, we are down the line heading home to Durango. A quick drink at the water tower is finished and we are over the high line. At needleton we see a meet with 480 heading to silverton. Followed by a short interview with Monty cartel. Another meet with 482 is shown and we are meeting with 476 heading to silverton. After waiting 3 trains at this location, we are on our way home to Durango. After switching tracks we see a yellow lab onboard the caboose, and we are right alongside the animas river, crossing bridges, meeting with 480 at cascade creek canyon wye, and we are in a tight squeeze between the canyon walls and the animas river. Stopping at tank creek for water without overflowing, and we are heading home to Durango which includes a cab ride, and passing 478 waiting on the siding. Over the high line, some wheel slipping is happening and after a coach is added, we see a runby at the canyon cliffs. At rockwood we load the eureka’s tender, and we are on our way to hermosa for a drink. While taking a drink Dan Markoff talks about the engine’s performance since its 1986 restoration.

All to soon the journey comes to a close as well as this program, as we arrived home in Durango which includes some last minute pacing shots, and see the engine putting back into the special shed for the night before it was heading home to Vegas.

A couple of previews of other titles are presented at the end.