And the West is History: Denver & Rio Grande Western at Wilson Gulch – Ca. 1940s

This picture was taken from U.S. Highway 160 showing the eastbound San Juan Express in the 1940s. The train approaches Wilson Gulch south of Durango on its way to Ignacio, Chama, Antonito and ultimately Alamosa. This line was abandoned in 1968, but the railroad grade is still visible today on the hillside. The Animas River Trail connection to Three Springs, called the SMART 160 Trail, may use some of the old D&RGW railroad bed for its route upon completion. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, edhorvat@animasmuseum.org (Courtesy of La Plata County Historical Society)