The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s trademark train whistle could be heard much earlier than usual Tuesday morning as a locomotive chugged its way through town to preen in front of a camera.
Photographer David Yarrow, represented by Sorrel Sky Gallery, chartered the train for a photo shoot at 4:45 a.m.
Jeff Johnson, general manager of the D&SNG, said work and charter trains occasionally operate outside typical hours.
“I was kind of surprised that so many people asked questions,” Johnson said. “It's not entirely uncommon that trains go out at different times once in a great while.”
He said Yarrow has been coming to Durango to take pictures of the train for years.
“Some of the images that are being captured here are among some of his more growing, famous pieces of work,” Johnson said.
Yarrow is a world-renowned photographer who has photographed places and people around the world. Some of his work is displayed at Sorrel Sky Gallery in Durango, which will host Yarrow on Wednesday, Feb. 26, for a one-man show and discussion of his work.
And for people wondering why the train couldn’t have left early without letting the town know it was up and at ’em, Johnson said the railroad is legally required to blow whistles at all grade crossings.
“We're very sensitive to feedback and we'll make sure to continually work with our crews about only providing the proper amount of whistling that's needed to comply with safety for trains,” he said. “So please don't think it's on deaf ears. No pun intended.”
jbowman@durangoherald.com
