Home
Posted By: RockyRaab Wouldn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
We booked a family weekend adventure on the Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (One of the top-rated scenic rail journeys in the world) this past weekend. Had one daughter and grandchild fly in and then we and they plus our local daughter's family drove from Salt Lake City to Durango, Colorado for the adventure. There were three trains scheduled for Sunday, at 45-minute intervals. We booked the middle one.

Got 10 miles out of Durango - and stopped. Locomotive broken. Able to move, but not climb the 4% grade to Silverton. It was the first time in 25 years that they had to abort a trip. Lucky us, huh?

We couldn't rebook for the following day because both daughters have work commitments. They did make a full refund, but man what a disappointment.

Durango, Colorado is a beautiful little town with grundles of things to do and see. We'd love to try again someday, and plan to. More info HERE
Posted By: DocRocket Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
That sucks, Rock.
Posted By: watch4bear Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
I hear Durango is inundated with tramps because of marijuana legalization. Did you see lots of homeless and beggars? Been years since I've been back, but grew up there.
Posted By: mtnsnake Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
All of colorado is full of questionable people now that recreational marijuana legal. Be sure to lock everything up and watch your back at night.
Posted By: Ole_270 Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Did that trip about 7 years ago, really enjoyed it. We'll do it again one of these days.
Posted By: RUM7 Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
That must have been the Little Engine That Couldn't.....
Posted By: AcesNeights Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Bummer Rocky but at least you got to visit with family. I thought I was the only one that experienced a once in a quarter century mechanical that nullified the vacation plans I made.
Posted By: RockyRaab Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
We saw several MJ outlets, but no questionable people at all. They did advise us that it was not unusual to see a black bear in the motel parking lot at night, but that was the only semi-scary thing we were aware of.
Posted By: RockyRaab Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
That's the second family vacation in a row that has been cut short/ruined for mechanical issues. We arranged this one to make up for the nightmare houseboat trip we experienced a year ago. The family all said they know both events were beyond our control, but I'm sure feeling snakebit about trying to plan family get-togethers.
Posted By: MadMooner Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Originally Posted by watch4bear
I hear Durango is inundated with tramps because of marijuana legalization. Did you see lots of homeless and beggars? Been years since I've been back, but grew up there.



Durango has been full of dope smoking hippies for a looong time.
Posted By: MadMooner Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Bummer about the trip, Rocky.

I'd enjoy doing it someday myself.
Posted By: Redneck Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Originally Posted by RockyRaab
That's the second family vacation in a row that has been cut short/ruined for mechanical issues. We arranged this one to make up for the nightmare houseboat trip we experienced a year ago. The family all said they know both events were beyond our control, but I'm sure feeling snakebit about trying to plan family get-togethers.
Well, if you're planning a vacation on a cruise ship next spring, please book Carnival - since we're going on Royal Caribbean.. laugh laugh
Posted By: RockyRaab Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
We are going on a cruise next year, but I'm not the one booking it. It's a class reunion sort of thing, and I don't even know which cruise line yet. When Claudia and I cruise, we use Norwegian.

We have a different train trip coming up soon. But this one is the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada, and I'm positive it will go smoothly.
Posted By: wabigoon Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Rocky, that sounds like a bad deal, sometimes, sometimes, the other thing is better?
Posted By: alpinecrick Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Originally Posted by RockyRaab
We booked a family weekend adventure on the Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (One of the top-rated scenic rail journeys in the world) this past weekend. Had one daughter and grandchild fly in and then we and they plus our local daughter's family drove from Salt Lake City to Durango, Colorado for the adventure. There were three trains scheduled for Sunday, at 45-minute intervals. We booked the middle one.

Got 10 miles out of Durango - and stopped. Locomotive broken. Able to move, but not climb the 4% grade to Silverton. It was the first time in 25 years that they had to abort a trip. Lucky us, huh?

We couldn't rebook for the following day because both daughters have work commitments. They did make a full refund, but man what a disappointment.

Durango, Colorado is a beautiful little town with grundles of things to do and see. We'd love to try again someday, and plan to. More info HERE


Dang!
That's too bad Rocky.
When my son was about 6-7 years old I took him on the train--it was the third time for me (Second time I rode it was to get off at the Needles stop for a backpack hunt). Anyway, on the day with my son they added extra cars and had to hook up a second locomotive to make the grades. Now that was a sight to see two locos going full bore up the grade! I'd never seen them do that before.

It's worth the trip. If the logistics are possible a lot of people leave a vehicle in Silverton and drive back to Durango, makes for a shorter day.

Casey
Posted By: alpinecrick Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Originally Posted by MadMooner
Originally Posted by watch4bear
I hear Durango is inundated with tramps because of marijuana legalization. Did you see lots of homeless and beggars? Been years since I've been back, but grew up there.



Durango has been full of dope smoking hippies for a looong time.


Locoweed legalization hasn't changed a thing in Colorado. Follks who smoked still smoke, folks who didn't still don't............


Casey
Posted By: Prwlr Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Too Bad Rocky. If you got a chance the Chama,NM to Ophir, CO during the turn of the Aspens is really nice too.
Posted By: Kenneth Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
A few weeks back we're in Boston,

Drive down to Plymouth, where the Mayflower 2 is permanently docked, specifically to see the Mayflower 2.....

Turns out, the Mayflower isn't there, just sailed for Connecticut for a spitshine in preparation for the upcoming 400th anniversary.......

YGTBFKM.......

It ain't just you Rocky.
Posted By: las Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/25/17
Originally Posted by RockyRaab
That's the second family vacation in a row that has been cut short/ruined for mechanical issues. We arranged this one to make up for the nightmare houseboat trip we experienced a year ago. The family all said they know both events were beyond our control, but I'm sure feeling snakebit about trying to plan family get-togethers.


If I were you, I wouldn't book any vacations involving flight...... smile


Posted By: johnw Re: Woukdn't ya know it? - 07/26/17
Originally Posted by las
Originally Posted by RockyRaab
That's the second family vacation in a row that has been cut short/ruined for mechanical issues. We arranged this one to make up for the nightmare houseboat trip we experienced a year ago. The family all said they know both events were beyond our control, but I'm sure feeling snakebit about trying to plan family get-togethers.


If I were you, I wouldn't book any vacations involving flight...... smile





^^^^^^^^^^^^
This...
© 24hourcampfire