Does anyone have the correct date, for when the Denver & Rio Grande RR merged with the Rio Grande Western RY? In my notes, I show 1920. But believe that's a typo. Seems like it happened about a decade earlier? Boxcab E50
The renaming gets very complicated at times. Here is a good read on it. http://www.utahrails.net/drgw/rg-events-index.htm
Jim- Excellent information. Answers all my questions but one. The one point that leaves me still somewhat unclear- What date is the one where the D&RGW started to lose it's identity? That point does not not seem defined on his pages? Boxcab E50
Jim- I was trying to remember when the D&RGW started losing it's own identity. By that I meant when locomotives began receiving non-D&RGW paint. I recall the SP lettering adopted a D&RGW look on some locos. But did the D&RGW keep it's own scheme all the way until after the UP came into the picture? Boxcab E50
D&RGW units painted to SP: Following the October 1988 merger with SP, it took almost four years, in mid 1992, for SP to begin repainting former D&RGW units to its familiar gray and red paint scheme. On July 18, 1992, GP40-2 3086 was completed as the first D&RGW unit to receive SP paint, with new large SP speed lettering. This new speed version of Southern Pacific lettering was inspired by D&RGW’s own flying Rio Grande, first adopted by the road in June 1939. SP adopted this Rio Grande-inspired speed lettering for its own units in early 1991, with GP40M-2s rebuilt by Morrison Knudsen being the first units, first using the early, small version in March 1991. The later, larger version was adopted soon after, in April 1991. Also in April 1991, SP began receiving 55 additional GP60s, joining an already existing fleet of 115 GP60s. These 1991-built GP60s were themselves joined in 1993 and 1994 by 25 more GP60s, all with the new larger version of SP’s new image. After the GP40M-2s and the new GP60s, the first SP unit to be repainted to the new image was an MP15AC completed in October 1993. As already mentioned, the first D&RGW unit to be repainted into SP colors was completed in July 1992. It was the first of a total of 26 D&RGW units to receive SP paint. It wasn’t until May 1994, two years later, that the second D&RGW unit, SD40T-2 5380, was completed with SP paint and lettering. Over the period of the next two years (ending with the UP merger in September 1996), an additional 24 D&RGW units were repainted to SP. Joining the first two units (D&RGW 3086 and 5380 mentioned above), these later 24 units included 15 other SD40T-2s (5350, 5351, 5352, 5362, 5364, 5366, 5368, 5378, 5387, 5388, 5393, 5394, 5397, 5399, 5412), seven SD50s (5504, 5510, 5511, 5513, 5514, 5516, 5517), and two other GP40s (3059 and 3138). Source: Don Strack
There is an interesting side note that bears mentioning: one of the GP60 orders for the "new" SP actually had 3 units tacked on to the end of the order that were delivered in full Rio Grande paint (units 3154-3156). These units were to replace Rio Grande GP40s and/or GP40-2s that had been wreck-damaged. I don't remember which order they were with or what year they were delivered, but it may have been the Cotton Belt's order in the 9600's. Nevertheless, new locomotives were still delivered in orange and black several years after the RG/SP merger!
Jim, Excellent back ground work there,can you tell me where I might find some photo's for the GP 40M-2's (1st lot ,march '91 rebuilds) with the small SP speed lettering?Doing some repaints now & may do one of these loco's.
That's interesting! Somehow, I wasn't aware of this. Guess I'll search for a photo or two. Boxcab E50
With a bit searching, you can also find information here: http:www.drgw.org Including several links to other DRGW dedicated websites!
Keith- That's the first place I was thinking of looking for info! Indeed I did find the photos there! Boxcab E50
Gotta help promote the Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society!! Proud member of the group too!! Will have a display table at Denver GATS next weekend, and I'll be helping there and with BMRC, as needed. When not watching/running, I'll be wandering aound.
OK Guys. Time to get this mess in line . There were only three locomotives delivered after the Rio Grande bought the SP. <blockquote> Nevertheless, new locomotives were still delivered in orange and black several years after the RG/SP merger! </blockquote> Modeling the GP40M-2 will be fun. I don't think that two of them are alike. Check out the background of the units on Don Strack's fine site. Scroll down to EMD GP40M-2 — 65 units <blockquote> GP 40M-2's (1st lot ,march '91 rebuilds) with the small SP speed lettering?Doing some repaints now & may do one of these loco's. </blockquote> THe GP60's are next. They were the last units delivered in Rio Grande livery. It is said that they were tacked onto the end of a SSW order. Follows is the timeline and numbers. They replaced the following units: 13 October 1988 Rio Grande Industries, owner of the Denver and Rio Grande Western, completed its purchase of Southern Pacific Transportation Company. October 1984 Last unit prior to the GP60's 5517 847022-17 February 1989 Wrecked on Tennessee Pass GP40-2 3108 SD40T-2 5402 SD40T-2 5408 May 1990 The last SSW GP60 SSW 9712 896003-48 The D&RGW order 3154 896043-1 3155 896043-2 3156 896043-3 The builders numbers show they were built after the final SSW order ond prior to the next SP order.
Reason for that was because there was movie that was being film on the DRGW and they wanted that roads power, so they just painted 3 new SP units into Rio Grande for the movie, (at the factory) and they stayed that way for years, and I believe they are still painted like that.
