24th Annual Fall Photo Experience

September 27-29, 2013

Save the dates as we finalize the details! Call our Ticket Office to have your name put on the Wait List for first notification when we are ready to accept reservations.

Join amateurs and professionals as we take you into the wilderness to photograph the train with a backdrop of autumn foliage as well as a chance for rare night photography in the Durango railyard!

Ride the train into the remote wilderness of the San Juan National Forest where you will be droped off to photograph the train steaming past. Passengers will have the opportunity to photograph the train with a backdrop of high peaks, autumn color, and the Animas River. Experience the pure majesty of autumn in the San Juan Mountains!

Unlike the passenger trains, Photographer Trains will allow the photographers to deboard before we back the train up and out of sight. With 2 blasts of the whistle, the train will proceed forward and come steaming past the line of photographers. We will also have opportunities to photograph the D&SNG passenger trains as they roll past.

Be sure to have plenty of battery power, memory cards or film to capture the unique opportunities not available to passengers on the regularly scheduled trains. These special trains are scheduled for optimal autumn foliage colors!

Night Shoots

Save the dates Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28, 2013

Photographer Trains

Saturday, September 28
Sunday, September 29

2013 Season Pass holders receive 10% discount.

Be sure to visit our Scrapbook  for more photos of previous Fall Photo Trains!

Call 970-247-2733 or Toll free 888-TRAIN-07

Requirements for riding the Photographer Special Trains:

• A signed Release of Liability form (below) is required for each passenger. Download to sign and bring to train station when you pick up your tickets. Forms will also be available to sign at the train station.

  

• Wear sturdy shoes to safely climb on and off the train and in some locations, scramble over rocks and hills for the best shooting angle.

• Passengers must be physically able to maneuver in rough, hilly terrain and be able to board and unload safely many times.

• Although the D&SNG strives to maintain the published schedules, consists and run-bys, the D&SNG assumes no liability for any changes to the above. Consists, schedules and equipment may change without notice.

• Lunch, snacks and beverages on board the train will suit most people but if you have dietary restrictions or special needs, please be sure to bring your own food and beverages.

Tips for a successful Photo Train:

• Be rested and prepared for a full day on board the train. If you are coming from lower elevations, acclimate yourself to the altitude (Durango 6,512’; Silverton 9,305’) a day in advance and drink lots of water.

• Come prepared for autumn weather in the San Juan Mountains! Dress in layers for cool mornings and evenings and warmer midday temperatures. Snow is not unheard of in September!

• Wear neutral-colored clothing in case you accidentally get in another photographer's frame.

• Please maintain silence during the run-bys as there are many people recording the sound of the train from start to finish.

• Be sure to have plenty of battery power, memory cards or film.

• Tripods help to get a great photo but are also burdensome climbing on and off trains and in the rugged terrain. Please use good judgment in what is right for you.

• You may choose to stay on board during any run-by. However, please do not ride on the platforms or hang out the windows. Please do not wave or talk to the photographers on the ground during the photo run-bys.

• We will be on a very tight schedule. In order to do all the scheduled run-bys and still make the meets with other trains, photographers must listen to the directions from the staff. Accidents happen when people are rushed so we will NOT rush anyone. However, we may need to skip run-bys in order to keep on schedule.

• The D&SNG reserves the right to prevent any passenger from participating in photo run-bys for failure to comply with railroad rules and regulations or directions set by Conductor. If the Conductor has any safety concerns for any passenger at any run-by location, the D&S reserves the right to keep that passenger on board. To continue to operate Photo Trains, we must maintain our record of being 100% injury-free. Thank you for your cooperation in conducting a safe & enjoyable D&S Photo Train!