D & RG Narrow Gauge Trestle, Railway bridge in Montrose County, United States
The D & RG Narrow Gauge Trestle is a steel truss bridge that crosses the Cimarron River within Curecanti National Recreation Area in the San Juan Mountains. The structure was built to support narrow-gauge railroad traffic, allowing trains to pass over the river at this point on the mountain route.
The bridge was built in 1895 by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad to replace the original wooden structure from 1882. This upgrade was part of modernizing the narrow-gauge line for improved traffic through the mountain route.
The bridge features a static display of railroad equipment, including the D&RGW No. 278 steam locomotive built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1882.
The site is accessible through Curecanti National Recreation Area, where informational signs explain the bridge's engineering and original function. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and allow time to explore the surrounding area, which offers views of the river and canyon.
A historic railroad locomotive is displayed at the site, showing the Baldwin steam engine Number 278 from 1882 that represents the era of this narrow-gauge line. This static display allows visitors to see the actual equipment that once powered this mountain railway.
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