Over the years, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has seen many faces come and go, but one of the most enduring faces belongs to Theresa Cashio. Theresa has been with the D&SNGRR since 1981. That was the year Charles Bradshaw, a citrusmagnate from Florida, purchased 45.2 miles of track isolated from the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad and created what we know today as the Durango andSilverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Theresa and colleague in Silverton 1983. photo courtesy > Theresa Cashio

An avid gardener and cook, she says she loves any kind of fried food-okra, eggplant, shrimp, oysters and catfish are particular favorites. When asked what the most memorable part of her time at the railroad has been, Theresa says, "It's been the dozens and dozens of outstanding people I have known and with whom I've been fortunate to
work. I can easily recall with a smile many of these folks, the laughter and a few tears that brought us together as friends. My life has been richer for having known these people." And her love of what she does shines through each and every day. Each year, the railroad receives
many letters from appreciative passengers wishing to thank Theresa for her interesting stories, humor, and warm hospitality.

After a brief moment to ponder and a quick laugh, Theresa estimates she's made close to 2,000 trips back and forth to Silverton over the years. And she says the scenery along the track hasn't changed much at all. Once you hit Hermosa, a small town about ten miles north of Durango, "it all pretty much looks just how it did when I made that first trip back in 1981," she says. To sum up her years at the D&SNGRR, Theresa says, "It's been a great ride, one that I have genuinely enjoyed and will always cherish."

Ray Ludwig Car Shop Foreman

- by Yvonne Lashmett

It takes a lot of behind-the scenes work to maintain the historic equipment the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates. The 44 coaches, open-air gondolas, and Premium-Class cars from the 1880s are constantly undergoing repairs, paint jobs, renovations, and regular maintenance. The person making that happen is Car Shop Foreman, Ray Ludwig, and his team.
After serving as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam and then working on building singer Dan Fogelberg's home east of Durango, Ray found his way to the D&SNGRR. He began his career at the railroad in 1983 as a carpenter and worked his way up through the ranks as Lead Carpenter, Carpenter Foreman, and then into his current position. In the past, D&SNG managers often worked on the train during the winter months, in addition to their regular jobs. Ray worked as a brakeman and says he always enjoyed seeing the reactions people had, seeing the canyon with snow for the first time.

As one can imagine, it's no easy feat to keep equipment from the 1880s running to and from Silverton all these years. While always a challenge, Ray has enjoyed being involved in some rewarding projects. His favorite, he says, was recreating the Silver Vista in 2006. The original Silver Vista, an 1882 coach, was stripped to the frame and made into a glass-roofed car that hit the rails in 1947. The car burned in 1953 and was officially retired in 1954. Ray and his team took on the challenge of recreating this car from old photos. Ray did a tremendous amount of research, found the right seats, the right glass and put the car on the rails in May of 2006.

When asked what the most fun part of his job is, Ray says, "Seeing a car like the restored General Palmer or the re-creation of the Silver Vista leaving the shop and hitting the rails again and knowing the Car Department has added to the history of the railroad."

When Ray started at the railroad, he says he didn't think about how long he'd work here. Now, 27 years later, he's not positive how much longer he will stay at the railroad. He and his wife of 27 years, Tonia, are looking forward to the next phase of their lives. They plan to travel, with Italy being the first stop on their list. Ray also looks forward to devoting more time to his hobbies of golfing, skiing,
hiking, fly fishing, gardening, wood-working and cooking. They have two grown sons, one of whom works for the D&SNGRR in the Maintenance of Way department.

Ray says when it's time to move on, he will miss the people he's worked with here. "There are some really great people with a lot of skill that work throughout the railroad." Ray is definitely one of those people and the D&SNGRR has been lucky to have him all these years. He will always be an important part of the railroad's history.

Of all the people who were employed by the D&SNGRR prior to the Roundhouse fire of February 1989, there are 21 full time employees still on the payroll 20 years later! Steve Jackson is the employee with the most years with the D&SNG. Actually, he came with the company when Charles Bradshaw purchased the Silverton Branch of the D&RGW in 1981!

For most of these employees, their longevity is a testimony to doing what they love. Maintenance of Way employees Leon Montoya and Michael (Moe) Rael patrol and maintain the tracks and keep the right-of-way clear. They work outside year-round in some of the best and worst weather conditions you can imagine and they wouldn't have it any other way. Steve Jackson and Larry Beam oversaw the rebuilding of the Roundhouse in 1989 and for over 20 years have been in the forefront, keeping the historic steam locomotives in operation with their knowledge, experience and their ability to pass skills on to new employees.

Most started their careers here as seasonal employees, never intending or expecting to stay 20 years. Paul Schranck was attending Fort Lewis College on a football scholarship when he started working summers cleaning coaches.

"Like any family we have our differences, trials and tribulations, and our ups and downs. But above all else, we work together to meet our personal and career goals and we are here together for a common cause. We are a railroad family."

After working in many departments, he is now Vice President and General Manager. Now Vice President and Superintendent of Operations, Evan Buchanan started working summers at the D&SNG as a brakeman, while working winters at Purgatory Ski Resort. Pam Ramsey, Kim Jones, Carol Peacock and Sharon Loose all started as seasonal Reservation Agents while raising their young children. Now with children no longer at home and some with grandchildren, they work year-round and remain in the same department as Managers and Supervisors. Yvonne Lashmett also started seasonally while raising children, and after working in Reservations, Accounting and Marketing, is now Event Manager as well as a grandmother of four.

Some have a career of railroading in their blood with their fathers and grandfathers having worked for a railroad in some capacity. If they didn't already have it in their blood, many have started their own railroading tradition with their children being seasonally employed by the D&SNG.

While each of these featured employees has been with the company for over 20 years, the D&SNG is also proud to have a very large and diverse group of returning seasonal employees who are passionate about their jobs at the railroad. Their experience and dedication is invaluable.

The owners of the railroad, Allen and Carol Harper, promote a family atmosphere among employees. Like any family we have our differences, trials and tribulations, and our ups and downs. But above all else, we work together to meet our personal and career goals and we are here together for a common cause. We are a railroad family.