The Night Train — Shanda Akin Photography

ALL ABOARD! The “Night Train” Collection

As Durango natives, The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Train is as much a part of our lives as the mountains that surround it. It is an iconic part of our beautiful little city. We are accustomed to hearing the whistle as it moves through town carrying passengers from all over the world. We wait in traffic for it to pass while waving to its excited occupants. And, are often asked about our iconic train by people we meet. My first time riding the train wasn’t until after I graduated Durango high school, went into the Air Force, and moved away. I finally rode the train in my 30s to celebrate my dad’s 60th birthday. We rented a car for our family and friends. It was such a great experience.

JUST LETTING OFF SOME STEAM…

Durango and Silverton Steam Engine #481 on the turntable

My father has always loved trains. He collected HO scale model trains and built a 4’ by 6’ track with hills, homes, and tiny people. We even had engineer hats to wear when we got to “play” with the train set. He reads train books and watches train videos. He loves to go to the DSNGRR museum and check out the new goodies and glimpse the engines out back. I think he loves the smell of the coal, steam, charcoaled ground…all the sights, sounds, and smells.

INTO THE ROUNDSHOUSE SHE GOES

Durango and Silverton Steam Engine #481 backs into the roundhouse

While my dad is the passionate train connoisseur, the DSNGRR was part of my youth and now a part of my adult community as I moved back home just three years ago. I’ve traveled all over the world capturing images of remarkable things, but never had the opportunity to create images of our beloved train until this year. As long exposure photography is my expertise, photographing the train at night was right up my alley. The DSNGRR offers photographer specials in Winter and Fall and I was able to participate in the night shoot and the Winter excursion and what an opportunity it was. The whole DSNGRR team did an incredible job! Not only did they make it special by stopping the train, allowing us to debark at great locations, and run the train and The Galloping Goose #5 by us while we grabbed great images, the staff was amazing too. They were polite, friendly, funny, and were open to allowing us to grab photographs of them as well. Not only do I highly recommend jumping aboard the next opportunity, but I also hope to grab a seat on the Fall photographer special.

Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing or featuring any of these photographs. They will be available for purchase on my website soon. They will also be featured in several upcoming art fairs. Let me know if you are interested in displaying these and and/or other photographs of mine in your gallery or shop. Sign up for my newsletter below to receive updates on these and other photography collections, projects, and events.