In this topic, we will discuss the various classes of D&RGW diesels. I'll start with PA-1's, since it was a small group of the roster. If you have photos you'd like to share, feel free to jump on in! We start with engine 600, the first of the group, at Leyden, just a few iles east of Big Ten curve. This is the as-delivered scheme, photo by Otto Perry:
The 600-class was renumbered into the 6000-class in March of 1950, with the 600 becoming 6001. The PA's were bought in 1947 as 2 ABA sets, and the sets were renumbered 6001-6002-6003, and 6011-6012-6013. As a better match to the stainless steel CZ equipment, they were repainted into a beautiful Aspen Gold nose/silver carbody scheme as captured by Otto Perry:
The lovely silver and Gold scheme lasted but a few short years, before the paint booth was again fired up. The PAs then received another coat of Asen Gold and silver, and 4 long, black stripes along their carbodies. Here's a great set of them hauling the California Zephyr, photos by Otto Perry: At Plain: At Tolland:
Our final stop on the PA-1 tour is the single stripe scheme. Only one unit received single stripe livery, #6001: Otto Perry photos: Not sure which engine model to visit next--late model or early transition-era diesels? What about GP7's or SD50's next?
Ask and ye shall receive! Glad you guys are enjoying! Thanks to railfan pioneers like Otto Perry and Richard Kindig, we have these awesome scenes of Rio Grande in action in its earliest years!
You know it is funny, I knew Richard's wife Jean very well as she worked in the same museum I did. We were very good friends long before I had any idea of who her husband was. Small world we live in after all... John
They also had a narrow gauge diesel or two. Hope there'll be a few views? Keep 'em coming! :thumbs_up: Boxcab E50
As I recall, they experimented with an MRS-1 from the War, at Alamosa, or one of the major narrow-standard gauge terminals. The concept never made it beyond experimentation for mainline NG freights, IIRC. If there were a few NG diesels, I'd have to do some digging as to their heritage, and assignments. SD7's coming up next!
I'm having trouble finding SD7's in their as-delivered scheme; Not a single 'Grande SD7 in the DPL database! mg: I might have to do a SD7/9 topic, since the SD7 is unobtanium on the net in other than switcher paint..
Great pics of the PA's......................brings back "childhood memories". I used to spend the summers in Oak Creek,CO, and every morning I couldn't wait to the the "Yampa Valley Flyer" roll into town with the mail. That PA used to shake and smoke its' way around the bend into Oak Creek. Quite a sight! Thanks
I'll bet the Yampa Valley Mail coming thru Oak Creek Canyon would be cool, too... Do you know if there were any tunnels in OCC? Egeria Canyon may have and I know Rock Creek Canyon was tunnel-laden. What a rugged part of the country!
The "Craig Branch" has a series of loops and tunnels, before hitting the mainline to Denver, I'm not sure if they had the exact track plan back then or not, but I think that they did. I did all my railwatching from the Oak Creek area and out towards the mines up the valley. A little more from Phippsburg and Craig too. My Grandmothers house had a dirt road and the little river between it and the tracks. Always a "special" place on that little front porch. Coal trains, even back then, when going thru town (uphill) were at Run8 and about 12mph or so. That little town was "shakin", and still is.
It's amazing to watch coal trains on the Moffat.... And prople wonder why I'm so glued to it! Back then, the distinct whine of EMD 645's shook the little towns on the Craig branch; now it's the familiar chug of GEez that rumbles thru those small towns. The host RR has changed, but the scenery is just as timeless as ever!
Yep, last time out to Oak Creek cost me a TON of money. I saw nothing but SP/UP and CNW Dash 9's. When I got back home, I started buying Kato Dash 9's in SP to add to my DRGW roster. Next thing I knew, I also had several more SP SD40 and 45's........................oh well, what the heckmg: I'm in the process of renumbering the Dash 9's, with some added MicroScale "engine data" decals. No UP's....................................I just say NO:thumbs_down:
Those 'Dash-9's you saw were actually AC4400CW's. Very few DC General Electric locos ever roam the Moffat Route as far as the Craig Branch. The few DC locos at all usually are on manifests heading to Grand Junction or Salt Lake City. They look similar, unless you know what to look for; like the huge inverter cabinet behind the fireman's side of the cab.
