Smoke and Cinders

Original Fine Art Photography by Donna Kennedy-Edited in Topaz Studio..
Photographed on the Durango-Silverton Fall Train Special Event out of... more

by Donna Kennedy

Title

Smoke and Cinders

Artist

Donna Kennedy

Medium

Photograph - Photographs

Description

Original Fine Art Photography by Donna Kennedy-Edited in Topaz Studio..
Photographed on the Durango-Silverton Fall Train Special Event out of Durango, Colorado
If you zoom in on the smoke you will see it is covered with cinders, and when you ride in the open cars you will find them on your face and clothes, a true step back in time experience!

As the black smoke and steam blasts into the air the Durango Silverton vintage train clicks and clacks along the narrow gauge rails, the cars swaying heavily back and forth, along the placid waters of the lower Animas River past green and golden meadows. As the train chugs higher into the vertical landscape, the land gets more radical although the rail parallels the river the entire journey, mirroring the water's curves and gradient. While the water flows effortlessly downhill, the train labors uphill, firebox roaring, smoke billowing into the sky.
When the wind changes, the cinders blow back over the passenger cars, swirl in the windows, land like whispers on cheeks, settle coal taste on tongues. If the experience feels authentic, it's because it is the real thing, providing nearly the exact same experience as in times past. Along the High Line, you can lean over the side of the car and look hundreds of feet straight down into the river below. Here in the steep mountains, the Animas is no longer peaceful and placid, but squeezed tight between narrow canyon walls, laced with challenging rapids and tinged glacial blue. Such a beautiful and exciting experience.
UPDATE: In June 2018, the railroad shut down for several weeks due to a wildfire, named the "416 Fire”, which was fought by two air tankers, six helicopters and some 400 firefighters on the ground. An estimated 54,129 acres of the San Juan National Forest were burned, with losses estimated at more than $31 million. Given the fire risk from coal cinder-sparked wildfires, the railroad's owner plans to invest several million dollars to replace coal-power with oil-power for their steam locomotives and acquire two new diesel powered locomotives. The railroad was suspected of sparking the blaze and some area businesses and residents filed a civil lawsuit against the railroad and its owner in mid-September 2018. The railroad is currently aiming to have at least half of their operational steam locomotives converted to oil-power.

Thank You to the Administrators that Featured this photo in the following Groups:
-Glimpses of Autumn
-Canon Full Frame Cameras
-Topaz Simplify-Glow-Impression Photo Renderings
-The Artistic Aperture
-Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery
-Just Perfect
-Your Story of Art
-Whats New
-Lady Photographers and Artists
-Everyday Wonder
-Images That Excite You
-500 Views
-Camera Art
-Monthly Themed - October-fall Leaves
-1000 Views on 1 image

Uploaded

November 15th, 2018