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Needleton, CO Mile 482.31 is the original site of Needleton. Most of the site was destroyed in a flood of the Animas River in 1927. This flood washed out many areas between Durango and Silverton. Those earthen track embankments that were not carried away entirely by the raging waters had the rails lifted into the river when the wooden ties began to float. Needleton was thought to be a good mineral area and several mining prospects were in operation in the hillsides. However, very little pay dirt was ever hauled out of the area and most of the residents moved away. Further north at MP 484 there is a siding that was constructed after the 1927 flood. An historic wooden water tank exists north of the siding. The old wood tank is no longer in operation. However this is still a water stop for the train. Now the water is stored in a modern railroad tank car body. There are several small bridges on the main line in the Needleton area. This is a flag stop for today's D&SNG and you can get off the train and have a picnic or even hike into the Weminuche Wilderness area for a camp. When you want to get back on you simply "flag" the train to stop by crossing and un-crossing your arms below your waist.
Elk Park, CO Elk Park is the one time site of a section camp where crews that maintained the tracks were headquartered. There is a siding and wye located in the area. At the Animas River crossing in Elk Park there are a series of different type bridges. On the main line there is a modern plate girder bridge and on siding there is a series of iron through truss and wooden pony trusses.
This is a flag stop for today's D&SNG and you can get off the train and have a picnic or go camping. When you want to get back on you simply "flag" the train to stop by crossing and un-crossing your arms below your waist. Like Needleton, Elk Park is a flag stop for the train so you can get on and off today's train here.
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