So when I lived in Montrose, Colorado there was a local train on Fridays that my son and I would watch regularly. It was always headed by a DRGW engine (I forget the number now). We were there visiting a few weeks ago and noted that the local is now two-days a week but the DRGW engine has been replaced by all UP yellow . Anyone know what happened to the DRGW engine? Did it survive? John
UP: "You will be assimilated" UP is still digesting the locos that were added to its fleet with the acquisition, more than a decade ago, of the D&RGW/SP; in some cases the locomotives are retired or sold, in others they're "patched" with UP markings temporarily until they can be repainted, or they're repainted in UP yellow. But it is the UP's intention, as I understand it, to sell or repaint all the Grande and SP locos. This has taken a while, though, which produced a sort of Indian summer of the Grande -- particularly in Helper, Utah, where as many as 18 SD40T-2 units in Grande garb could be seen performing Helper service until relatively recently. When I visited Helper in March, 2007, they were nowhere to be seen. --Bryan
Thanks Bryan, I knew they had plans to get rid of many of the engines, or as you mention repaint them. I will try and look up the number of this one incase anyone knows where it went. I sure miss seeing that paint scheme around! John
If an older unit, I'd say posibly gone from the Borg. I wonder if Jim had this info up on his Utah Rails web site? Boxcab E50
D&RGW loco in Montrose Hi all, There was/is a lone D&RGW GP40 in GJ, but they usually keep it close for yard or local jobs. BTW, all the D&RGW units are patched except for 5371. Every now and then another Grande unit makes it over to GJ. I think the use of Grande units on the Montrose train is probably over. Rod
5371 not on the dirt train... The times I have seen it it was in regular service, possably between SLC & Ogden, not posative about that tho. Seen her on the ready tracks at Roper about a week ago. 2slim
John, I believe this is the one that you are looking for. I tried to shoot it from the highway last spring as we were approaching Montrose. Several months ago I saw two Rio Grande units in the GJ yard but haven't seen them since. Ben
John, I was beginning to think that the engine was gone forever and then I came across her in Montrose, CO two weeks ago. I didn't have a camera then but I did have it with me this week when I came across her working in the the Grand Junction, CO yard. I wish that the picture was better but this was the best I could do while shooting from the road with short notice. Ben
I was in Oakland CA and I was surprised to see Rio Grande units working there in Jack London Square. Seemed odd seeing them there but alas the UP has them all over their system now.
Hello, The last unpatched DRGW SD40T-2 5371 is home in Helper Utah for now. She got a new Turbocharger in North Platte NE. and then took a trip to the Twin cities and then headed back to Utah via Denver last week. Glad she is in Helper Utah.
Thanks for the update, Grande Guy! Since the Dirt Train was axed a couple months ago, I wonder what service she'll be in?
I wish that they didnt repaint locos or scrap them such as conrail ns and csx got it and there scrapping some locos and repanting them and with all the railroads its all the same D&Hs to CPs such as 7310 that was recently repainted and southern pacific and Rio Grand UPs on the internet i saw videos with ac4400 union pacifics with SP horns and rio grand SD40T-2 i think it is wrong and mean to all Railfans who like the older locos that is my thought
this might help I found at UP's website a complete roster of all their locomotives (with current livery). It might help you identify any other locos your looking for. http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/attachments/locorost.pdf
Another source is: http://www.drgw.net/locotrace/index.html It shows current number, can be sorted by number, lcoation, etc; and shows Grande numbers.
