A Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Polar Express locomotive derailed as it was entering the train yard in Durango shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, causing evening rides to be canceled and requiring riders to disembark and walk back to the station.
The train was traveling at 3-4 mph and entering the rail yard behind the train station at 479 Main Ave. at 6:10 p.m. when it was derailed, D&SNG said in a Saturday news release.
A set of tender wheels attached to the locomotive and the tender truck failed to navigate a switch, which forced the truck onto the rails and onto the ground, according to D&SNG.
The tender wheels were the only issue, and no other train cars had mechanical failures, the release said.
D&SNG General Manager Jeff Johnson said train rides scheduled for Saturday were not affected by the minor derailment. Customers who were affected were offered a complementary ride Saturday evening, or applicable vouchers for this season or the 2025 season.
“The biggest bummer for us is that we want the families and kids to get their trip,” he said. “ … For those that can't ride with us (Saturday night), we're going to go ahead and send them all vouchers to return at any time through this year and next year.”
He said as of around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 263 passengers who missed rides on the Polar Express on Friday due to the derailment had claimed complimentary rides for Saturday evening.
Crews tended to the derailment until about 1 a.m. Saturday, he said. They placed the tender truck back onto the rail and transport it to the railroad’s shop for repairs.
The derailment broke one segment of rail. Around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, the railroad’s track crew was able to repair it.
“Everyone really rallied,” he said.
cburney@durangoherald.com
