As major flooding sweeps southwest Colorado, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is working around the clock to repair damage along its route.

Crews are addressing track washouts, debris flows and high-water damage, and the railroad has been running steam-powered work trains to keep the railroad open. The flooding began more than a week ago, when relentless rain fell across the region and the Animas River crested at over 8 feet — its highest level since 1970. The railroad experienced another round of heavy rain and flooding over Halloween weekend.

The railroad’s “Highline Express” service was paused Oct. 23 but resumed Oct. 27, running as scheduled through Nov. 1. According to the railroad, repairs will be finished in time for its Polar Express and Cascade Canyon Winter Trains later this month.

“For us, preserving history includes this work,” the railroad said on social media. “It means caring for the route itself and carrying on the knowledge and craftsmanship that have kept trains moving through these mountains for generations. Tools and equipment have changed, but the responsibility to maintain the track and look after one another remains.”

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates roughly 45 miles of the former Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system between Durango and Silverton in southwestern Colorado. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which also operates a portion of the former D&RGW narrow gauge system, was forced to end its regular season early because of the flooding.

— Nick Stewart