The Animas Canyon After Dark Night Photography Event — Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad presents "The Animas Canyon After Dark" as a night-railroading excursion for photographers. The operator describes an event that takes guests deep into the Animas Canyon under the night sky to photograph signature locations along the line. It is guided by Pete Lerro of Lerro Photography, whom the operator describes as having coordinated railroad night-photo sessions for nearly 20 years.

Each scene is professionally staged and lit with specialized LED lighting to create images of both still and action railroading. Guests choose one night or two. Each night offers five different lit setups at five locations, so the two-night package covers ten. To keep the shooting environment safe and uncrowded, the operator caps attendance at 35 guests.

The first night is a northbound shoot: the train leaves the Durango Depot in the evening, runs through the canyon to Silverton, and a chartered bus brings guests back to Durango. The second night is a southbound shoot: a chartered bus takes guests from the Durango Depot to Silverton, and the train then runs back to Durango overnight. Bus transportation is built into the ticket.

The operator lists a K-28 locomotive and a mixed consist of boxcars and other cars as the planned consist. In the information it gives photoshoot guests on its Winter Photo Special page, the operator says consists, schedules and equipment may change without notice.

One or two nights of night photography, with five lit setups per night. First night: train from the Durango Depot at 6:40 PM, arriving in Silverton at 4:30 AM, then a chartered bus leaves Silverton at 5:00 AM to return guests to Durango. Second night: a chartered bus leaves the Durango Depot at 6:00 PM, the train leaves Silverton at 7:15 PM and reaches Durango at 5:00 AM. The operator says the weather is unpredictable and asks guests to bring a rain coat and a winter coat.

Boards at the Durango Depot, 479 Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado. Booking is by phone only, at 970-247-2733 or 1-877-872-4607. Attendance is capped at 35 guests. Required gear: your own DSLR or mirrorless camera that you know how to use, a sturdy tripod, a remote cable release, a reliable headlamp, and sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support. The operator says the itinerary lets guests keep one hotel room in Durango, and encourages guests riding both nights to book the Grand Imperial Hotel in Silverton at a discount by calling the hotel and referencing the Durango & Silverton photo event; those rooms cannot be booked online.