Trains LIVE — Durango & Silverton all-female engine crew — 8-30-2023 — What was the Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge line between Durango and Silverton, Colo., has been in existence for 142 years. In that time, across all of it operators, including the current Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, there has never been an all-female engine crew. That changed on June 9, 2023, when engineer Kylah Breedan and fireman Elizabeth Duncan handled a train over the railroad.
In this episode of Trains LIVE we chat with the two young ladies who have a passion for steam operations, want to perfect their operating skills, and are having a ton of fun every time they get in the cab of a steam locomotive. At first, Breedan and Duncan did not realize the significance of what they were doing or had accomplished. Upon reflection, they realize that they are symbols of achievement and role models. Our conversation today goes beyond the locomotive cab to explore what it was like for Breedan and Duncan to become qualified in their positions and how they look at themselves in their current roles.
Trains LIVE — Durango & Silverton all-female engine crew.
Trains LIVE is a regular video program, recorded live and unscripted from Kalmbach Media. The series began in July 2022.
Trains LIVE features Bob Lettenberger, Trains associate editor, Kalmbach Media staff, and guests talking about railroads and trains in a casual, behind-the-scenes format. On Trains LIVE we will ask the questions you would like to ask and take you into places not normally open to the public. Trains LIVE also takes you on the road to museums, trackside locations and other railroad-related venues. It is presented every other Wednesday at 2 p.m. Central time.
If you have questions or comments, please log-in and leave a comment in the area at the bottom of the page. We will attempt to answer questions during future episodes. All aboard! It’s time for Trains LIVE!
D&SNG’s success with women in key positions doesn’t stop at the locomotive cab. Alicia Stevenson, D&SNG’s special event coordinator, was our car host in their first-class Cinco Animas car during our trip on the D&SNG in July 2023. The ride will take your breath away and Alicia was friendly, efficient, and worked with us when my wife’s migraine kept her from walking around Silverton, they let us stay on the train during the layover. I understand she worked closely with Jim Wrinn to put an event together involving Trains and D&SNG, and took on more responsibility for seeing it to a successful conclusing as Mr. Wrinn’s health started to get the better of him. D&SNG’s impact on its now-sister operation in NC (Great Smoky Mountains RR) is also taking a good tourist railroad to a GREAT tourist railroad. Keep up the great work, D&SNG!