Guessing's Over - The D&RGW Heritage Unit Is Unveiled!

The guessing is over and we've got the pictures. Kevin Morgan and I -- along with at least 40 other photographers -- were there for the unveiling of the UP's new heritage scheme for the Denver & Rio Grande Western. Here's the unit at the final unveiling taken with my own paltry 3 Mpx camera.


As you can see, the paint scheme is largely derived from the 40s and 50s era F-units with gray on top, just like the F-units and four stripes down the length, also from the cowl scheme. The only nod to the freight, black-with-gold design is the placement and size of the Rio Grande speed lettering down the side, which was what was used on the GP-30s and -35s purchased in the 50s. This was before the billboard style with the little "Rio," big "Grande" lettering.

The large mountains occupying the nose are taken from the Main Line Thru the Rockies logo. It's entirely appropriate to do this for a one-of-a-kind paint job as it emphasizes the territory traveled by the Rio Grande. However, it's pretty easy to suppose that the Rio Grande itself would have never gone to such lavish extremes for standard road units.

The impression from most of the people I talked to at the unveiling is that they were pleased with the design. No one commented that there was too much grey or that they should have done a coal black unit. One possibility for their not going with an orange and black unit would be their reluctance to look too much like their competitor that has begun to take on an orange and black swoosh logo, which isn't different enough from the speed lettering of the Grande.

Here's a close-up of the Rio Grande lettering from on board the new SD-70ACe.


Kevin has posted better, much better shots at his ColoradoRailfan.com site. Go take a look.

Guess What's Under The Tarp?

A Denver railfan just snapped this tonight of a new arrival. I wonder what's under that tarp...

Southern Mountains

This is the third in a series of posts about the recreational opportunities in Colorado for railroad enthusiasts. Part one was the Northern Front Range. Part two focused on the Southern Front Range. Part three will focus on the...

Southern Mountains
The southern mountains -- for the purpose of this post -- extends westward from the front range bounded by South Park on the northeast, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the southeast and follows the 39th Parallel to Uncompahgre National Forest in the west and down to the Four Corners Monument.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad - Originally a portion of the Narrow Gauge Circle, the line preserves one of the most picturesque sections of the line from Alamosa to Durango, abandoned by the Rio Grande in the late 1960s. A labor of love by countless volunteers, the Cumbres line runs from Antonito, 30 miles south of Alamosa, climbing up through Toltec Gorge, over Cumbres Pass (10,015 ft ASL), and down the 4% grade to Chama, New Mexico, a total of 64 miles and the longest narrow gauge railroad in Colorado. The route is as varied as it is scenic. Desert sagebrush, alpine meadows, mountain glades, and rugged gorges are all encountered on this day-long ride. The line is owned jointly by the States of Colorado and New Mexico and operated by a third-party private contractor in close coordination with the volunteers. Although funding has been an issue in the past, a fresh infusion of cash from Colorado may give the C&TS the boost it has needed since the 2002 wildfires.

Riders can board at either Chama, NM, or Antonito 7 days a week for a full run over the C&TS from now until October 15, 2006, although, depending on the day, you may end up taking 90 minute ride by motorcoach from one station to the other to board the train. It is also possible to take a trip to the halfway point at Osier and return to your originating station by train. A coach ticket to ride the train will cost $59 per adult and $30 per child ages 2 - 11, with lunch at Osier included. Coach is reserved seating, but riders are encouraged to visit the open gondola car. Travel by motorcoach to complete your trip and the fare rises to a total of $72 per adult and $36 per child. Parlor Car tickets are $115 per person, and their bearers ride in a plush coach with open seating and attendant service.

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic is a railfan's delight. Passenger trains are double- and even triple-headed from Chama to Cumbres, to the extreme delight of steam fans. The standard day-long trip is not for every small child, so the C&TS folks have come up with a shorter, 3-hour trip called the Cinder Express on Thursdays. Tickets are $44 for adults and $22 per child ages 2 - 11. Whether indulging the little rainfan or the little railfan in all of us, the Cumbres is a special railroad that brings everyone a vital piece of Colorado railroading history.
Railroad Adventures visit to this location in 2005, 1992, and 1979.

San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad - Shortline railroad running former Denver & Rio Grande Western trackage west of Walsenberg, Colorado, climbing over La Veta Pass into the San Luis Valley and Alamosa. Only a few weeks into its inaugural season running scenic passenger service, the SL&RG has initiated two separate trips.

A wide array of ticket options are available, but the primary service, the San Luis Express, runs from Alamosa, over La Veta Pass to the town of La Veta for a lunch stop and then back to Alamosa. This is a rare-mileage treat for the Colorado railfan, because a significant portion of the La Veta Pass line is isolated from the outside world. Tickets from Alamosa run $40 per adult, $25 per child, and $30 for seniors.

A secondary service, the Toltec Gorge Limited, is designed to serve passengers from Alamosa to Antonito in time to ride the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic and allows them to return to Alamosa that evening. Combined tickets for both the Toltec Gorge Limited and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic may be purchased through the San Luis & Rio Grande. This service is ideal for those taking advantage of the inexpensive lodging in Alamosa. Click here for the opening weekend announcement.

Gunnison Pioneer Museum - Otto Perry, a legendary Colorado railroad photographer, filmed the last days of the Marshall Pass. Featuring prominently in these films and photos is the Denver and Rio Grande Western class C-16 engine #268. Cosmetically restored to its "bumblebee" paint scheme and sheltered in a new pavilion, the 268, some rolling stock including a caboose, along with a water tower from Marshall Pass and depot relocated from Sargents to the east, are all part of a larger outdoor museum exhibit. Admission to the museum is $7 for adults and $1 for children ages 2 - 11.
Railroad Adventures visit to this location in 1991.

Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit - Directly west of Gunnison on US 50 near the former cattle railhead town of Cimarron, the sister of engine 268, number 278 is parked on an isolated trestle spanning part of Cimarron Canyon. Nestled deep in an arm of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the static display is at once beautiful and lonesome, the epitome of Colorado railroading. Cut off from access at either end, the trestle functions as a guard against vandals with a moat of air between it and the road. Free.
Railroad Adventures visits to this location in 2005 and 1991.

Ridgway Railroad Museum - Continue west on US 50, head south at Montrose and you'll come to Ridgway, former northern terminal of the fabled Rio Grande Southern. With exterior static displays and a small indoor exhibit, the museum is best known as the home of the replica of Motor #1, the original Galloping Goose. It was completed in 2000, 69 years after the original Motor was built. Open on summer weekends with guided tours. Admission is free but donations are clearly welcome.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum - Perhaps the most famous of all Colorado railroad trips, the Durango & Silverton links the famous southwestern Colorado town of Durango with the mining town of Silverton. In the 1950s and 60s, the Rio Grande's days of narrow gauge railroading were winding down. Highways and airways sapped nearly all traffic from the line, yet one particular stretch of narrow gauge was experiencing a growth of passenger traffic. A small train run once a week called the Silverton Mixed began to experience a boom of railfans interested in riding and seeing the beauty of the very scenic line. It was the future of the railroad. Over the next two decades, the Rio Grande developed the train, expanding service to daily trains and then running them in sections. By the time the Rio Grande sold the line in 1980, the Durango train was well established, not just in the world of railfans, but in the general tourism landscape.

Today, even the most jaded tourist will still look up from their laptop and latte to see the black engine trailing a string of Grande-gold cars behind it. It is a pretty sight, one that has repeated itself up to four times a day on the rails that follow the Animas River between Durango and Silverton. While the line makes its money hauling tourists, it also acknowledges the railfans and "rivet counters" with an annual "Railfest" that includes specials such the RGS Goose No. 5 and the wood-burning Eureka 4-4-0 from the Eureka & Palisade. This year, the Railfest will be held August 23-27. There is also a fall photo special on September 23-24.

A run to Silverton and back is an all-day affair. While the coaches are historically accurrate -- some of the rolling stock dates back to before 1900 -- with two-and-two seating, they are not especially accommodating. Lucius Beebe wrote that using the restrooms onboard was a feat that would have amused Houdini. He wasn't far off. With luggage racks that are hardly more than ornamental, the coaches have only one place to store any gear, beneath your seat. Additionally, the windows do not loan themselves to pictures and riders are frequently seen "dogging" out the windows to get a shot of the Animas Canyon scenery. Those desperate to get a shot from one of the cars' platforms will be disappointed to find an attendant shooing them off. The camera hounds are much better off reserving a seat aboard one of the gondolas or aboard the new Silver Vista. Lunch can be packed or purchased in one of the restaurants in Silverton. Some of the restaurants have character, others have little more than burgers and rushing waitstaff. Either way, there is little chance that you'll miss your ride back to Silverton; the engine will whistle loud enough to make the hillsides echo for seconds afterward. Visitors to Silverton might be surprised to find that the town was once served by no less than four railroads at one time, each built to haul ore and supplies. Today, the mines are all closed down and the Durango & Silverton is the town's main reason to exist.

Tickets to ride a typical summer train are $62 for adults and $31 for children ages 5-11. Returning by motorcoach from Silverton to Durango are $7 more, which is a real consideration for parents of small children who by 2 PM are pretty tired of riding. It's possible -- but not probable -- to get in a motorcoach on standby. Premium tickets for First Class and Presidential Class are $109 and $129 respectively.

The Durango & Silverton is quintessentially Colorado: historic, scenic, colorful, and a little touristy. It's a memorable experience to ride on the High Line above the deepest parts of the Animas Canyon and quite a beautiful ride, with scenery not seen any other way.
Railroad Adventures visits to this location in 2005 and 1992.

Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores - In the 1930s, the Rio Grande Southern had to get inventive to survive the Great Depression. Among other cost saving measures, rail busses were constructed out of old automobiles and freight cars to give the RGS its fleet of Galloping Geese. In 1952, after the railroad finally dissolved, the RGS donated Galloping Goose No. 5 to the town of Dolores. In 1998, volunteers with the Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores restored the Goose. Because none of the RGS route between Ridgway and Durango survives, the society has taken to running the Goose on non-native, yet scenic rails of the Durango & Silverton and the Cumbres & Toltec. While the Goose is on display at the depot between these runs, and while there is an interior display at the depot with artifacts from the RGS, no website is available to give hours or information. E-mails should be directed to dolores@zone.net. There was a plan in 2001 to run track 9 miles out of Dolores for the Goose to have its own track, but nothing more has come of it.
One loyal fan at Narrowgauge.org has committed several pages to the wanderings of this Goose.

Other posts in this series:

• Northern Front Range
• Southern Front Range
• Northern Mountains
  

Operation Lifesaver Photos

Thought the Ski Train isn't scheduled to begin service to Winter Park until July 15, Operation Lifesaver made use of Ansco's equipment to take a run up the Moffat Tunnel Route to Steamboat Springs on June 8th. Kevin Morgan has two photos of the run at Blue Mountain and Coal Creek Canyon's approach to Tunnel 1.

Peeking Under The Wrapper

Were you one of those kids that peeked under the wrappings at Christmastime? Well, someone posted a photo on Railpictures.net of the DRGW Heritage Unit to be unveiled next week in Denver (see previous post). Yeah, I know it's still wrapped, but I definitely see some paint peeking through on the pilot and crew ladders. It's going to be hard waiting for Saturday.

The unit is making its way to Denver. It will be in Coubluffs (Council Bluffs?), IA at 6:15 AM Sunday.

Eyesore?

Is this an eyesore?

The town of Avon believes it may be. In an era where coal is assuming new levels of dominance as an energy source, Union Pacific is planning on storing 500 coal cars in the yard at Minturn, the former helper terminal for the "rail banked" -- read: not quite abandoned, but almost -- Tennessee Pass route between Pueblo and Dotsero on the Colorado River. While this could be part of a power play to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to rub out two grade crossings in a planned development in Avon, UP officials claim that such talk is "a very bad rumor."

The town of Avon, playground to the rich and famous, has already made it illegal for a railcar to stop in a grade crossing. Next week, on June 13th, the town of Avon plans to make it illegal to park railcars anywhere in their city limits for more that two days. It's called a nuisance law, and it's designed to keep the town looking nice. It's also a symbol of the conflict of two different industries that have come to be largely at odds with each other.

Only 120 years ago, your town could die if you didn't get a railroad. Today, it could die if the railroad stays. Minturn, just down the road from Avon, desperately wants to join her sisters as "resort town." Who's holding her back? Why the big, bad railroad, of course. If the UP stores it's railcars there, then in the words of one Edwards resident, Kyle Bolio, "Minturn's going to look like a dump."

Is it really that bad? Towns like Colorado Springs, Winter Park, and Glenwood Springs have rails that sing with traffic, in most cases running right through the center of town, and it doesn't seem to be holding them back on property values or tourists. Could there be something else afoot in the Colorado Rockies? Are new residents suffering from ferroequinophobia? Are their concerns about occasional train noise and the danger to children near the right of way any more valid that towns and cities that see 20 trains per day?

The good news is that UP never fully abandoned the Tennessee Pass right-of-way. Had they done so, 7-story condos would have gone up the next week in that little valley. Railroads continue to be the lifeblood of our nation. The moment a line is abandoned, it is lost forever. Then when the need arises for a rail line, as it inevitably will with continued growth of the American economy, there won't be one there to reactivate and use to ship the needed commodities. No, the UP needs to hang on to Tennessee Pass, a key crossing of the Continental Divide, if only to stick in there as a standby line for the potential future of Colorado and the West.

hat tip to John Barnhill of Trainboard.com

Rio Grande Heritage Unit 1989 Confirmed

As a follow-up to my previous post, I did some checking with UP and they will be unveiling the new Denver & Rio Grande Western heritage unit in Denver on June 17. The bad news: This event is not open to the public, only employees and media. The good news is that the UP folks will be sending it around the region's rails so there will be plenty of time to film and/or photograph it in action. Get those cameras ready!

Ouray Caboose Moved for Restoration

Long a feature of Ouray Hot Springs Park, Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge caboose number 0575 was relocated to the Ridgway Railroad Museum for restoration. On May 30, 2006, the caboose was loaded onto a semi flatbed trailer and trucked over US 550 to the museum grounds at Ridgway. The caboose will remain the property of Ouray County Historical Society, but all mainenance will be done by the museum. Visit the Ridgway Railroad Museum site for details along with pictures of the move.

Celebrities Still Ride The Rails

Oprah tours the highline on the Durango & Silverton.

D&RGW Heritage Unit #1989

It's unconfirmed, but apparently Union Pacific will be unveiling their Denver & Rio Grande Western heritage unit UP 1989 in Denver on June 17th. According to John Barnhill of Trainboard.com,

The June 17th unveiling of the Denver Rio-Grande Western unit will be in Denver from 11:30 AM to 3:30PM at 1400 W. 52nd. Ave., behind the superintendents office building. Hot dogs, hamburgers, fixins', soda, cotton candy and snow cones will be served. The mini train will be on site offering rides, and also a variety of games to be played while adults can participate in health screenings, blood pressure and cholesterol checks. A engine bell raffle with proceeds which go to the Friend-to-Friend Network.

I will be watching for confirmation...although nothing yet has shown up on the UP press releases.

Update 6/5/06 - Confirmed, but not open to the public.

C&TS Opening Day Pics

Dead Goat Saloon posted pictures of the Cumbres & Toltec opening day on their BBS. Special thanks to ND Holmes of DRGW.net.

San Luis & Rio Grande To Start Passenger Service This Weekend!

I could pretend that I was holding back on you just for dramatic effect, but I just found out.

The San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad is beginning passenger service between Alamosa and Antonito as the Toltec Gorge Limited and between Alamosa and LaVeta Pass as the San Luis Express. This weekend (May 27) marks the return of scheduled passenger service to this "rare mileage" in Colorado, not seen by regular passengers in over 50 years.

The two routes can be ridden independently of each other. It's also possible to purchase through tickets from Alamosa to Osier or Chama, changing trains in Antonito onto the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Basing the routes out of Alamosa is very beneficial because 30 years after the rehabilitation of the C&TS, Antonito -- a single attraction town -- has been unable to develop the necessary facilities to host tourists riding the C&TS rails. Alamosa has numerous motels and other accommodations because of the added attraction of the Great Sand Dunes and it's central location on US 160 and US 285.

Unfortunately, this configuration will only allow a 2 day trip from LaVeta to Chama instead of a same day trip, although theoretically, you would have to get up pretty early (o' dark 30) to be able to travel the whole route in 24 hours. It's better anyway to buy two tickets from La Veta to Alamosa and then the next day from Alamosa to Chama because it will break up the trip a little leaving riders fresh for the second leg.

Round trips from Alamosa on both lines are also available, running over LaVeta Pass to the town of LaVeta for lunch and shopping and out to Antonito and back for the morning and evening connections with the C&TS. These are significantly lower than the C&TS route, mostly because diesels cost less to run and maintain, along with the fact that it is an active freight line that sees other revenue than just the passengers, defraying maintenance costs. Both routes are historic, however, and the ticket agreement shows that both railroads expect to profit from each other's business. It brings to mind the adage from Ecclesiastes, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves." A single log on the fire will quickly go out; two logs will keep each other going.

On a side note, I may be speaking from ignorance, but it always remains possible that the C&TS could strike an agreement to spike down a third rail between Alamosa and Antonito. However, the cost for new coaling and water facilities through to Alamosa would be prohibitive until the LaVeta Pass line establishes itself. Still, being able to pace the train on 285 like they did 50 years ago is a fantasy I haven't quite given up on.

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Links

• Buy Tickets!
• Schedule and Rates
  
• Webcam of the SLRG Alamosa yards
• Sangres.com on the inaugural press trip
• Denver & Rio Grande Historical Foundation page on La Veta Pass