The summer and fall of 2020 brought the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train (DSNGR) to the Rockwood station for departure and arrival several times a day.
This has created many issues for the residents of Rockwood and surrounding area and has compromised the integrity of the infrastructure of CR 200.
Once again, the train is scheduled to depart/arrive at the Rockwood station three times a day beginning in May and through November 2021, with only one train departing from Durango.
Rockwood residents love our special train and we realize and acknowledge the economic impact it has on the livelihood of the City of Durango.
However, trains departing from and arriving into our small depot have become a significant safety issue with the high volume traffic, inadequate parking, inadequate supervision and security, littering, speeding on CR 200 and into our neighborhoods, trespassing, etc. An extreme fire danger, careless visitors have been observed throwing out cigarette butts onto dry pine needles. Driveways have been blocked.
Residents cannot safely walk on CR 200 for healthy exercise and our children and grandchildren cannot play in their own neighborhoods as visitors speed through these neighborhoods sightseeing.
Another significant consideration is that the Rockwood departure lures tourists out of town and away from our restaurants and businesses that have already been crippled by the Covid pandemic. The City of Durango thrives on business created by the DSNGR.
Departures and arrivals must remain in Durango.
Mary MullerBallDurango
