RIDER BEWARE :: mechanical issues brake failure ba...

RIDER BEWARE :: mechanical issues brake failure bad brakes down hill poor maintained ::Recently we were looking for something to do when I visited Denver Colorado with my Grandson. I found the Darango to Silverton steam train and Historic Hotel. So after many attempts to make a reservation I was successful train ride to Silverton and a overnight stay at the grand Imperial . When we arrived the day of are ride the train was on the tracks ready to go but when I saw the steam locomotive I though it it looked very very poorly maintained meaning leaks every were and a coated skin of sand and dirt covering the engine and locomotive. Then I realized that this was not are 930 train but a extra train to cover for the train the day before that blew a piston the day before stranding all the passengers on the mountain that they had to send a diesel after them. Thinking nothing of it like a one time thing we got on are train. Enjoying the ride for the first few hours then another unscheduled stop for around 30min to fix a oiler along with stopping for hikers and other camping and lodging stops with awesome views we finally rolled in to Silverton. Again I took photo of are train and this locomotive also was leaking everywhere and coated with a very layer of grid everywhere. Typically you want to keep your motor clean so when a leak shows itself you know it will need serving soon. A very original western town. The room, food and people at the Grand Imperial were amazing and I would suggest eating nowhere else. Know for are ride back all good for the first hour or so then more unscheduled stops for mechanical issues. After another 45min they tell us the brake system is failing and we need to wait for the train behind us to pull us back down hill all the way which we were told they have never done before. Well after about another 90 min another dirt coated steamer train pulls along side and then all the conductors look very nervous and start running back and forth in the train carts with a giant wooded club doing something to the train cars. I over heard a older couple asks if this has ever happened before and he said no! What about the blown piston train a few days before ? I could tell they were really concerned. I think we sat there for like 2 hours. Well they had to disconnect are locomotive and connect the entire other train to Ares and headed down the mountain inches for the edge all the way remembering they have never had a train so long before. Hey if the steam train looked like they maintained their trains this brake system failure wouldn t have happen and I wouldn t have a issue. Not to say the very rugged mountain we were stopped on and uncalled for I will not be riding again till I see a maintain steamer . Dont get me wrong the God made country is like no other