2012 True West Railfest

Durango, CO – The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is partnering with TRUE WEST Magazine, founded 1953, to promote the 2012 annual Railfest celebration. This new event will be called “True West Railfest” and is scheduled Aug 16-20th, 2012.

TRUE WEST Magazine, which has the slogan “Preserving the American West,” named Durango, Colorado as one of the top ten western communities in the United States in 2011. Learn more about TRUE WEST Magazine atwww.truewestmagazine.com.

True West Railfest will encompass western-style cowboy events including the World Fast Draw Association shoot-out and competition, Native American Dancers and Heritage Train with the Southern Ute Tribe from Ignacio in addition to exciting rail-related special events and excursions with visiting narrow gauge railroad equipment. True West’s own colorful historian, Bob Boze Bell, will be on hand lending his wit and historical antidotes throughout the weekend. All the events will pay tribute to the area’s colorful past.

Durango is hosting the U.S Pro Cycling Challenge with a world-class professional bicycle race starting out of Durango on Monday, August 20th. This race will draw professional athletes from around the world and many spectators that will certainly enjoy the numerous True West Railfest activities and historic/cultural events. Media and bicycling events will be in and around Durango in the week prior to start of the challenge.

RAILFEST PASSPORTS: A Railfest Passport is your ticket to receive your commemorative T-shirt and collector pin, True West Railfest lanyard and name badge, D&SNG Yard Tour, free parking in D&S lot during Railfest, President’s Opening Reception, 1-year subscription to True West magazine and train discounts! A limited number of Passports will be sold so be sure to get yours now! Two levels of Passports are available.

INFORMATION ON VISITING EQUIPMENT: RGS Galloping Goose #5: “Even though originally built from Buicks and Pierce Arrows, the word “dignified” never seems to have been included in their description, but they were serviceable and definitely fit their purpose. Traveling through the countryside with a horn that could easily be mistaken for the call of a real goose, they were said to have “waddled” down the uneven, poorly maintained tracks of the cash-strapped Rio Grande Southern.”

Eureka & Palisade #4: The wood-burning E&P #4 is one of the Eureka & Palisade Railroad’s only surviving steam locomotives and is on the US National Register of Historic Places. It is the oldest operable narrow gauge 4-4-0 in the U.S. Dan and Ditty Markoff restored the wood-burning locomotive to its original appearance when it left Baldwin in 1875. It sports a “Russia iron” boiler jacket, polished brass bands, gold filigree, varnished oak, with red and gold trim. Be sure to get tickets to ride behind this national treasure.