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A wide-format fine art panoramic photograph of Rio Grande Southern steam locomotive #20 hauling a freight train through a snow-covered mountain canyon. The engine, captured mid-stride along a riverbank, emits a bright white plume of steam that contrasts against the dark, steep rock walls and snow-laden evergreens. The foreground features a partially frozen, rushing river with snow-capped boulders, creating a high-detail scene of a historic winter mountain transit.
Winter Delivery - Home office with an arched niche

Winter Delivery

Winter Delivery shows us that even blizzards are no match for steam engines. Rio Grande Southern’s Engine #20 is making its way through the snowy San Juan Mountains with no trouble at all.

Special Note: Winter Delivery is presented here as a 1×2 aspect ratio. It is also available via special order in a 16×9 aspect ratio which is absolutely stunning. Contact me for details and ordering.

Enter the width of the photograph, in inches. Available for photographs from 24 to 60 inches wide. For photographs wider than 60 inches, please use finished aluminum sides. For smaller pieces, consider finished aluminum sides or the classic wood frames.
Enter the width of the photograph, in inches. Available for photographs from 24 to 60 inches wide. For photographs wider than 60 inches, please use finished aluminum sides. For larger pieces, consider using a gallery frame.
Enter the width of the photograph, in inches. Available for photographs from 10 to 24 inches wide. For photographs wider than 24 inches, please use finished aluminum sides or a frame.
Enter the width of the photograph, in inches. Available for photographs from 24 to 96 inches wide.

Story

The winter day dawned, bitter cold and bright. The previous night’s snowfall of over 20 inches of fresh snow in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains certainly made it colder, that’s for sure. It was now truly a winter wonderland, and the silence and stillness reigned complete. Until the loud whistle of the Winter Delivery, that is.

Snow or not, the freight trains of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad roared through the mountains, always right on time to make the delivery. A mere 20 inches of snow is nothing to these steam engines, which can break through up to four feet before slowing down. The engine chugged from behind the trees and into view.

The frigid Animas River bubbled and gurgled along, paying no attention to the cold. But also, the near-turquoise color of the river adds a beautiful counterpoint to the reds of the boxcars. 

For the history buffs, we’ll note that this is Engine #20 of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. It’s running this line today as a special event and to celebrate Colorado’s narrow-gauge railroading history. On loan from the Colorado Railroad Museum, Engine #20 was hauling today’s freight, yesterday’s blizzard notwithstanding. The Winter Delivery is on time!

See Also

  • Steam Symphony Steam Symphony showcases steam engines #476 and #473 from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Furthermore, the cars have the iconic livery of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.
  • Roundhouse Night After a long day pulling trains through the mountains, the steam engines of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad rest in Roundhouse Night.

Additional information

Presentation

Matted Photograph, Aluminum, Finished Aluminum, Classic Box Frame, Classic Flat Frame, Gallery Frame, Premium Frame, Framed
Color/Style

Black Scoop, Bronze Curve, Bronze Reverse, Burl Swoop, Charcoal Reverse, Dark Cross-Grain, Light Burl, Silver & Black Scoop, White Bevel, Float Mount, Black, Walnut, Mocha, Cherry, Charcoal, Natural Basswood, White, White over Black, Black Sides, Dark Pewter Sides, Light Pewter Sides, Silver Sides, Copper Sides

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