Train Smoke Mitigation Task Force Effort receives funding

La Plata County, the City of Durango and the Railroad have contributed matching funds for this project, and the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado (Region 9) will administer this grant.  Region 9 also administered the feasibility study that identified ways to reduce train emissions. Many of those recommendations have been accomplished including:

Burning Wood Chucks (wood pellets) from Cortez manufacturer, Muscanell Millworks, instead of coal at night to keep engines warm.
Building a new ash pit in Silverton to reduce idle time in Durango. Adding an ash pit in Silverton allows train engineers to clean out the engines at the half-way point of the trip, and in a non-populated area.
Using diesel and not steam locomotives for all switching and track maintenance at the Durango station, reducing coal smoke.
All firemen on the steam engines receiving specialized training on how to place coal and wood pellets into the engine firebox to reduce smoke.
Durango Service Clubs collaborating to completely offset the carbon footprint of the D&SNGRR through the purchase of Green Power through La Plata Electric Association.
Urban Reforestation Project offsetting Greenhouse gas emissions associated with Railroad vehicle fleet by planting 2,587 trees in Durango and Silverton.
The Smoke Mitigation Task Force formed in 2006 to look at alternatives to coal smoke. Members of the Task Force include:

City of Durango, La Plata County, Region 9, Durango residents, San Juan Basin Health Department, Town of Silverton, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Senator Michael Bennet, and Representative John Salazar’s Offices.

 

For more information, please contact Region 9 at 970-247-9621 or at www.scan.org.