Doris and Frank Osterwald have written many guidebooks, but Cinders & Smoke is the book that started it all. Osterwald's long-running series of mile-by-mile guides to tourist railroads in Colorado first took shape on the Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad's incredibly popular Silverton train. When the Rio Grande sold the now-isolated narrow gauge railroad in 1981, the Silverton train was the cornerstone of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge railroad. By such time, Cinders & Smoke had established itself as the preeminent guide book that passengers would purchase for their journey. Maps and mileage tie in to a well-crafted text detailing the history, geology and various points of interest the full length of the line, as well as the train itself. The narrow gauge steam engines, many of which are now over 100 years in service, are coal fired. Thus the title, Cinders & Smoke. The rolling stock is detailed as well, profiling the coaches, gondolas, and cabooses along with the freight cars a person might find on their trip. Careful attention has been paid to the recent history of the line as well, with the disastrous 1990 roundhouse fire described in detail and even elevated views of the devastation and the restored roundhouse only a year later.

Rather than simply gazing at the scenery, which is abundant and spectacular, Cinders and Smoke allows the passenger to fully engage the experience from the time they arrive at the depot to well after the journey has ended. With over 160 pages, this is the one guidebook for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad experience!

Steve Walden, editor@corailroads.com
Colorado Railroads