RGS RemainsRGSrr.com - Rio Grande Southern RR |
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This page is meant to document what's physically left of the RGS. Although the track and much of the roadbed is
sadly long gone, there is a surprising amount of equipment, trestles, right-of-way and even buildings that are still
left. In fact, as of 2012, all seven of the famous Galloping Geese have been restored (or re-created) and are
operating. One of the steamers operates most weekends in California, and another is undergoing a complete rebuild
for operation. Who would've guessed? So - enjoy and explore!
I've tried to collect information, and link to photos and other information where possible. If you know of additional
information, please email me at
and I'll include it here.
In creating this page, I've been amazed at how much information is still available about the RGS, and the wealth of work others have done, some of which is linked below. The more research and info we can share, the more we'll learn about this fallen, but not forgotten, railroad.
About the photos - a few of the pictures referenced below are on the yahooGroups RGS page, and you need to be a member of the RGS mailing list to view them. That's a good idea anyway if you're interested in the RGS, and it's free. Go here to join.
Locomotives Geese Rolling Stock,etc Structures Right-of-Way |
Start your shopping here - with Amazon, Alibris, eBay. |
Name | Type | Build date / Use | Location | Pics |
---|---|---|---|---|
New Mexico Lumber Co Shay #7 |
Lima 3T Shay
(more info) Photo history |
Built 11-1929
Last narrow-gauge Shay built Used on the New Mexico Lumber Co's branch from Dolores to McPhee |
Hesston Steam Museum La Porte County, IN This locomotive was owned (for a time) by the New Mexico Lumber Co, and served the McPhee branch off the RGS (at Dolores) during the time when NMLC owned and operated the mill and logging railroad at McPhee. This locomotive was used primarily to transfer cars between the RGS connection at Dolores and McPhee. Today, the locomotive is at the Hesston Steam Museum. Back in 1985, it was nearing the end of a restoration effort when an enginehouse fire damaged the locomotive and destroyed some of the restoration's work. It's been slowly undergoing restoration again, and finally (as of May 2006), Ted Rita from the museum reports that the re-rebuild is nearly complete, and that the Shay #7 should be operating by Labor Day of 2006. See the photo from May; painting is schedule for late May. Update July 24, 2006: The Shay has been steamed up on July 21st and run all day; only minor problems were discovered. The locomotive is being painted this month. W. George Cook had some additional history to report. He wrote "The woman who ran the General Store at McPhee once said that the shinny engine always sat in front of the shop building and did not run to the woods. In questioning her of the general size of the regular trains arriving at McPhee, she immediately said that the Shay once came in with 26 cars as they were clearing the mill yard when the mill was down. [This had to be in the summer of 1930]. She added the trains were not usually that large." "The engineer Mr. Green, who worked the line after the Shay departed, said the crews were fearful of using it as it was to heavy for the soft roadbed, and thought it would kill them in a roll over." "It was the last NG Shay built at Lima. Some used to say that Uintah #7 was the last NG Shay built but it has recently been discovered from the Service Department records that #7 was a rebuild on the frame of ex-URR #3. Atchee shop was able to do nearly anything but did not capture the record book for building the last NG Shay." Rick Henderson (of Shay Locomotives) adds that Uintah #3 (factory number sn-1513) was rebuilt as Unitah #7 in 1933. |
Builder's pic winter 06 pic Sep 06 pic Current pics Dedication pics |
Engine 20 | Schenectady 4-6-0 | Built 1899 ex F&CC 20 "Portland" to RGS 1-14-1916 Used on last RGS run, now operatring at CRRM. to Rocky Mtn RR Club 7-24-52 to Strasburg PA for rebuild 10-7-06 back to CRRM in 2019 for final adjustments, etc |
Colorado RR Museum Strasburg Railroad, PA (restored, operating) Operating again! Aug 1, 2020 marked the return to operation of RGS #20 at the CRRM. There are numerous videos and photos posted around the web. From a $400k beginning donation, the total cost over the 14-year effort was near $2 milion. Here's just one that showcases that day: RGS #20 is complete Restoration notes - Aug 2004: Rick Steele at NGDF: "The RGS was trying to get all the mileage out of whatever it had. Example: When we took the main rod loose on the RGS 20 in Golden in 1966, we found that the main rod shims were not machined brass. They were Campbells Soup cans (we could still see the printing) that were flattened and used." July 2006: Restored!? The NG Dead Goat Saloon that #20 may be restored to operating condition. On 7-18, Jimmy Bluch (president of the Rocky Mtn RR Club) announced they had transferred ownership of RGS #20, RGS business car "Rico" and D&RGW narrow gauge caboose 0578 to CRRM, effective May 31, 2006. A phone call on 7-11-06 from CRRM (to the club) noted that a benefactor provided to begin restoration of #20 to operating condition - but only using if Strasburg PA was used for the work. Oct 2006: RGS 20 travels from Colorado to Strasburg PA, beset by truck breakdowns, and other problems, arriving Oct-9. Later, Mike Trent posted details about this news and #20's condition, saying the Rocky Mtn club could never could afford insurance or restoration, but changed that dynamic by donating the engine to CRRM. He wrote: "As soon as the Museum assumed ownership, a donor gave the Museum $400k to restore it to operation and another $100k in an endowment fund to operate/maintain it." Mike also detailed her condition, noting #20 had a thin boiler section under the steam dome, fire box patches on both sides up to the second row of stay bolts, and crazy-looking welds. The middle drivers had 6+ inches of lateral play, so much they dropped off the rail on sharp turns at CRRM. Bob Richardson told Mike that in later years, everytime the boiler inspector showed up in Ridgway, RGS would send #20 out on the line, unable to be inspected." Jul 2007: Bob Pranskatis noted status from Strasburg on the RGS email group, saying the boiler is off and stripped with many staybolts pulled. Will need major interior work on the boiler & smokebox. (the smokebox eventually couldn't be saved, and a new one was crafted). The chassis had all the original road grime and dirt/grease still packed up into the frame and spring hangers. The frame shows several breaks with bulky welding repairs, etc (entire new sections of the frame were eventually crafted and installed). Numerous updates & photos over the months by Linn Moedinger and others: Nov 2007: NG Disc list Feb 2008: NG Disc list Mar 2008: NG Disc list May 2008: Entire firebox will be replaced; frame cutting work beginning; will make new side rods Aug 2008: NG Disc list, photos, more, even more Aug 2008: Smokebox too far gone; will be replaced (details & photo) Nov 2008: NG Disc list Feb 2009: NG Disc list Sep 2009: NG Disc list Oct 2009: NG Disc List Jan 2011: NG Disc List Oct 2011: NG Disc List Jun 2013: NG Disc List Nov 2013: NG Disc List Jul 2015: NG Disc List Jul 2015: NG Disc List Jul 2015: Tender back to CRRM: NG FB List Jun 2018: Video update, and related discussion on the NG forum. Jul 2018: Frame work completed: NG Disc List Sep 2018: My own tour of the shop! Parts and frame ready, pony truck rebuilt: Steve's blog post Sep 2018: Wheels back on: NG Disc List Oct 2018: Equalizing completed: NG Disc List Jan 2019: Smoke box, axel eccentrics done: NG Disc List Many details and photos are available in a QuickPic book on this locomotive. Modern Marvels - on the History channel - featured some shots of RGS 20's repairs, on a program aired 4-7-08. They apparently don't mention that the steam locomotive in question is the #20, but a close look at the hole in the boiler being repaired, and the type of ties being worked on makes it clear, to anyone who knows the #20. |
CRRM pic
NGC: pic Travis: p1 p2 p3 Work photos: RGS list pics Keith's pics Linn's pics Linn M 11-07: pics Linn M 3-08: pics Linn M 1-09: pics Linn M 2-09: pics Keith S 5-09: pics Linn M 9-09: pics Matt M: tender Steve E: clipper ship Others: TrainInc |
exact replica, wood, built by 20th Century Fox Studios |
Built 1949
ex-Emma A. Sweeney (film - Ticket to Tomahawk) ex-Hooterville Cannonball (TV show - Petticoat Junction) currently Amador Express |
Durango, CO (undergoing a restoration) (formerly on display in Jackson CA at the Amador County Museum, after being purchased from owners in Sacramento,CA about 1979 and then restored) This replica had quite a life after the movie. It sat on Reservoir Hill in Durango for a while, and also on top of a hotel in Portland Oregon. In 1966, the TV show Petticoat Junction (running since 1963) decided they wanted a local replica near the studio to work with (they'd been using real equipment from the Sierra Railroad in Jamestown, CA before then). Richard Datin - who also worked on Star Trek models and did other model-building for Hollywood - also converted a Model Engineering Works (MEW) 7/16" model as a minutare stand-in for the show. (see NGSL Sep/Oct 1999). See Richard's website (defunct but archived) for photos and lotsa details! Apparently the last remodeling of this replica was done by the boys at the Preston reform school (near Jackson?). The blueprints for its construction actually still exist, on file at the Colorado RR Museum. Steven Torrico had some additional comments on the NGDF board. He said the director was big railfan, and that the studio spent $40,000 building the replica, intending it to be used for other films in the future. The appliances in the cab were mostly all real (for accuracy). Later on in the 1950s Fox sold the mock up to a guy that had a 1890s, gas light, "gay-ninety's" hotel in Portland, OR. called the Hoyt Hotel. The engine sat in the lobby of the hotel as a conversation piece. Later it was moved to out of doors for display. Bill Ramaley later updated this information, noting: "In Steven Torrico's posting, and in some others I have seen, the cost of the replica is given as $40,000. Last week, my memory of the cost was $20,000. Turns out both are wrong. In the TV Guide magazine for May30-June 5, 1964, is a long article about Petticoat Junction and the replica. The price given there is $30,000. That is also the price given in Train Movies. There is some other information about Emma at that site. Good stuff." Emma, btw, weighed 1800 pounds. Bill goes on to detail what happened after the film work for PJ: Ted Bowers owned a Mobil gas station in Culver City. Fox was selling off backlot stuff, where Emma was now in storage. Ted formed 'Tinkertown Company' and bought Emma. One day, Ted told Bob Babcock (who worked for him) to spruce up Emma, with fresh paint and all. Ted then used Emma at grocery store openings in the LA area. Ted sold Emma to the Hoyt Hotel in Portland, OR. But, just after the sale, the producers of "Petticoat Junction" wanted to buy it. Ted did not tell them that he had already sold Emma, and stalled for several weeks until finally some sort of lease was worked out, with Ted acting as broker. (Perhaps Ted leased it from Hoyt and then subleased it to Petticoat. As to Petticoat's history... In the early 60's writer/producer Paul Henning sold a show to CBS - Beverly Hillbilly's. That was successful, and CBS let him do two other shows, one being Petticoat Jct (PJ) from 1963-1970, and the other Green Acres (coverted from a hit radio show). During production for PJ, while looking for a locomotive mock-up, someone remembered the Fox mock-up "Emma Sweeney", now located in Portland. Henning's production company, Filmways, offered to purchase the mock-up from Mr. Hoyt. No deal, but Hoyt did (see above for details) end up lending it to them in return for screen credit each week....thus the credit at the end of each PJ episode "Train furnished by the Hoyt Hotel, Portland, Oregon." The first two season on PJ were filmed in black & white and because of that (apparently) were never used in syndication. In 2005 MPI Media Group released a 3-disc DVD set featuring 20 restored episodes from the 1st season with triva-packed introductions by Linda Kaye Henning (Betty Jo Bradley) (who happens to be Paul Henning's daughter). The locomotive was used more in those first 2 seasons than in later ones. This DVD set is worth getting, the very first episode explains why the train is out there forgotten by the rest of the world. Steven asked Paul the ultimate PJ trivia question- what did the initials on the side of tender mean- "C&F.W. RAILROAD", and he said... "Why... Charlie & Floyds Wacky Railroad". After PJ the mock-up ended up in its current location in Jackson, CA. Bill Ramaley continues - "The trip from Hoyt to the Boys school at Preston is still a mystery to me and I'd like to know how it worked. After the boys at Preston reworked Emma, it was put on display in Jackson. It was in the open for a few years and finally had a pavilion cover put over it. At present (2010) Emma needs another facelift. |
Old pic from the filming,
from the RGS Tech Pg
Petticoat days: p1 PJ site (archived) After Preston: p1 George S 2006: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 p9 p10 p11 p12 p13 p14 |
|
Engine 32 | Class 56 Baldwin 2-8-0 |
Built 1880 ex-D&RG 77 |
Boiler only at Tefft Spur sawmill site, below Silverton, at MP 478.02 on the
Durango & Silverton. It was part of the Rockwood Lumber Co,
(offices in Tacoma) and was built by Otto Mears in 1911 to cutting ties for rebuilding the washed out Silverton
line. Otto's two railroads out of Silverton, the Silverton RR and Silverton Northern RR, needed the D&RGW
Silverton branch restored as this was their only access to Durango.
Besides the sawmill boiler, the remains of two Silverton RR mail and combine cars (now only sawdust) were there to see, with other loose rails and junk, and many abandoned ties from the spur, a loading ramp and old sheds. Many loose rails are on the north bank of Cascade Creek near the ex walkway bridge. The old toll turnpike is very evident along the toe of the hill near the westside of the boiler and up past the switch into the main. The switch was a #10 size frog. |
NGC: pics |
Engine 36 | Baldwin 4-4-0 | Built 1880 ex-D&RG 93 |
OK, so this locomotive didn't really 'survive', but a replica is being built - from scratch no less - by the
Ridgway Railroad Museum. Details and the latest status can
be found in this newsletter (PDF). It's expected
complete and operational sometime in late 2017.
July 2017 - some updates were discussed on the NG Disc Forum. |
|
Engine 41 | C-19 Baldwin 2-8-0 |
Built 1881 To D&RG in 1881, as #409 To RGS in 1916, as #41 To Knott's Berry Farm 11/1951 To D&S (for rebuild) 2022(?) Back to Knott's Berry Farm 11/2023 |
Knott's Berry Farm Buena Park, CA (operating!) |
Knotts pic
NGC page: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 Steve E: pics Jeff's cab pics: p1 p2 p3 Arthur's: pic Dave: pics YouTube videos: v1 v2 v3 D&S v1 D&S v2 D&S v3 |
Engine 42 | C-17 Baldwin 2-8-0 |
Built 1887 ex-D&RG 420 To Narrow Gauge Motel Alamosa, CO 1953 To Magic Mtn Golden,CO 1958 To display (at Magic Mtn) Golden,CO 1961 To display at Woodmoor Corp Monument,CO 2-2-1969 To Heritage Square (display) Golden,CO 5-9-1971 To Durango & Silverton Durango, CO 1981 |
Durango & Silverton
Roundhouse Museum, Durango, CO (cosmetically restored) This was the last engine to operate over the RGS, and was used extensively during the scrapping operations. It was moved to the Narrow Gauge Motel at Alamosa CO in 1953, but was sold in 1958 to the Magic Mountain amusement park, shopped in Alamosa apparently, and moved to the park in Golden CO, where it operated until 1969. It moved around a bit more, but eventually landed in the roundhouse in Durango, on display. This is a pretty beat-up locomotive. John Coker writes: "The frame is reportedly broken in five places and welded back together. Also some very bad quarter-slip on one driver as well as extensive firebox work needed . Other RGS engines that are preserved reportedly have similar problems. I understand RGS 41 also has frame problems. I heard that this is attributed to the use of small engines to buck snow and their repeated use on maximum tonnage trains. Frame problems, especially, are very hard to deal with as the frame's near-perfection is crucial to the bearings running cool and lasting a while." See my Timeline for more details and pictures of #42 during her travels between the end of the RGS in 1952 and today. Many details and photos are available in a QuickPic book on this locomotive. |
Dave: pic Rypn.org pics |
Engine 74 (history) |
Brooks 2-8-0 | Built 1898 ex-DB&W 30 ex-C&Nw 30 ex-C&S 30 |
Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO (display) May 2012: The #74 is finally back from it's restoration - originally to operation, later downgraded to only a cosmetic restoration. But it's back and will now reside at CRRM, although it'll still be owned by the city of Boulder CO. See this thread for pictures and details. Below is some history from the restoration effort: 2004: The tender now fully restored, locomotive abestos removed, hydro-tested in 1999, mech eval. in 2000. $7300 grant received in Dec '02 for an ultrasound, paint, and woodwork for the cab; plans are to at least investigate restoration to full operation. New cab windows were installed in Aug '02. An update from winter '04 reports more funding news, the results of ultrasonic testing (the boiler is repairable!). Nov '04: Mechnical evaluation shows #74 is restorable to operating condition for approx $255,000 and 2-3 years of work. The boiler is good, the running gear and frame very poor. The firebox needs wholesale replacement. Numerous cracks were found on the frame - probably from bucking snow on the C&S. Jul '05: The CHS has decided to restore #74 to operation, for use on the Georgetown Loop RR by 2006. CHS had considered using #74 on the loop because... well, it's a long story. See this photo essay for photos & more info. A more complete history is available on the RGS Tech Info pages. Oct '06: Ryan Shofner and Mike Trent posted (on the NG Disc Group" a few additional tidbits on 74's condition. Apparently 74's chassis is heavily damaged, costly to repair. The boiler is ok, but the firebox and spring rigging need complete replacement, the driver tires are worn very thin, and in general the locomotive is very worn out. Mike notes that the C&S retired this engine as completely used up in 1943, and then the RGS squeezed out it's last gasps in 1952. So - only a cosmetic restoration is planned. Apr '07: Jason Midyette writes that so many parts would have had to have been replaced to make this operable, that it would have been more of a replica than an original. It needs a new boiler, new frame, replacement appliances. Mechanically, there's several different sized springs in the rigging, broken drive boxes, non-existant hub liners and pins in the brake and spring rigging that resemble camshafts. |
RGS Tech Pg: p1 p2 p3 NGC pics: p1 p2 CRRM pic: p1 |
Engine 346 | C-19 Baldwin 2-8-0 |
Built 1881 ex-D&RG "Cumbres" ex-Montezuma Lumber Company |
Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO (operating!) |
Dave: pic |
Name | Type | Build date / Use | Location | Pics |
---|---|---|---|---|
Inspection Car #1 (replica) | Model T Ford | Converted 1913 | Ridgway Railway Museum Ridgway, CO (replica, under construction) As announced on the NG Disc List in Dec, 2015, the Ridgway RR Museum has begun another recreation, this time of RGS Inspection Car #1, a Ford Model T adapted by W.D. Lee in 1913, and eventually wrecked (for the final time) in 1925. Lowell Ross began this project some years ago, and the Ridgway Museum was able to purchase it recently. There are many details and photos of the project that he posted on the NG Disc List in April, 2014. There are additional photos and details in this blog post. The recreation is anticipated to be completed (and operable) by May 2016. |
Lowell's pics |
Motor 1 (replica) | Buick 20'=0" 5300 lb |
Org. built 6/1/31 Replica built 6/1/00 Prototype for later motors (ie, geese) |
Ridgway Railway Museum Ridgway, CO (replica, operating) This Motor is operable, but due to insurance costs has been reduced to a static display at the Ridgway Museum. It did operate during Railfest 2000 for testing, and with passengers during Railfest 2001. Unfortunately with insurance changes due to an unrelated incident on the Durango & Silverton, this Motor can't afford the new policies and is no longer operating. Many details and photos are available in a QuickPic book on this goose. And the full story and photos of the original and the creation of the replica are wonderfully documented on the Ridgway Railroad Museum's website. |
Ridgway pics
Dave: pic Mario: pics Me 07: pics |
Goose 2 | Pierce Arrow 32'-8" 10300 lb |
Built 8/12/31 Used for Ridgway/Telluride Used for Durango/Dolores |
Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO (operating!) Parts from the dismantled Motor #1 and the San Cristobal goose were used to rebuild #2; these parts are identifiable; there's a panel on #2 that still says San Cristobal. A flanger brake cylinder was added by the Durango & Silverton (just before Railfest 1998), but this was far oversized for what was needed, and applied so much pressure that the truck frame twisted. Current work at CRRM includes replacing this cylinder with a truck Maxi-brake, well hidden to preserve the Goose's original appearance. A substantial rebuild was completed in April 2007, after nearly two years of work. Included are new power trucks w/new cast & machined wheels, new axles, a new brake system, a new drive line, and even a stop light feature for the rear red running lights. |
Dave:
p1
Travis: pic Mario: p1 p2 Me 6/07: pics |
Goose 3 | Wayne Bus Co 43'-3" 14800 lb |
Built 12/2/31 | Knott's Berry Farm Buena Park, CA (operating!) The RGS replaced the orginal engine with a 261cc GMC engine. Approx 1953, Knott's replaced this with a 346cc Reo engine. In 1997, Knott's rebuilt the Goose again, replacing the Reo engine with a Cummins diesel engine (for reliability). Knott's donated the old 346cc Reo engine to Dolores, for help in restoring Goose #5. Jeff Taylor, who works at Knott's, provided some additional details about Goose 3's restoration. He says that when the goose was received at Knott's after being used by the scrappers, all of the seats in both sections and the coal stove and bin in the rear section had been removed. The bus body (as you can see in photos like this one) had been cut when it was used to scrap the line to Pandora, near Telluride. Jeff believes Knott's installed a different bus body (since there are no welds at points where cuts had been made in the old one). Another tidbit is that the RGS really did use everything but the kitchen sink when they built these Geese; see this thread for a photo and discussion of the tie plates used in the boxcar section framing! The front and rear walls of the passenger box are still the original wood, with no changes besides a coat of paint. Note that Goose 4 & 5, residing in harsh winter conditions, had to have entirely new passenger boxes built. The metal skin at Knott's is new, as is the roof and side-wall framing (Goose 5 re-used the original metal skin). Some of the original wood and skin are used for a number of photos framed and posted inside the goose, showing it's former life on the RGS. The seats are all from narrow-gauge LA street cars - the Los Angeles Railway, LA's "Yellow Cars". Originally installed by past Knott's shop crew in the combine car "Calico" (now back to "Chama",) the LA Railway seats did not match any of the seats in the rest of the coaches. So inspired by #Ed Randow's use of Denver streetcar seats the first time around (according to his diary,) it seemed appropriate to instead put them in #3, which gave #3 a dose of local / California history, since that's her permanent residence now. These seats replaced the original Denver street car seats (removed and perhaps disposed of by the scrappers). Likewise, the coal stove & bin in Goose 3 are new. There is no fence around them (to protect packages from being ignited) although the fence still exists in Goose 5. Jun 2012: Quick update - Goose 3 was scheduled to travel back to Colorado to join all the other Geese for GooseFest, but the move was cancelled at the last minute. However, the folks at Knott's did do a lot of work on Goose #3 to spruce her up - see the photos. |
NGC page: p1 p2 p3 Dave: p1 Steve E: pics Jeff -interior: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 |
Goose 4 | Wayne Bus Co 43'-3" 14950 lb |
Built 5/4/32 | Telluride, CO (operable!)
Owned by the Telluride Volunteer Fire Dept Telluride, CO The RGS replaced the orginal engine with a 361cc GMC engine. During restoration, it was found this engine has a casting date of 1947, so it wasn't WWII surplus. Fritz Klinke writes that "Goose #4 is owned by the Telluride Volunteer Fire Department, who maintain it as a civic responsibility. It sits on the grounds of the county courthouse. The county is looking at that site for possible underground expansion of the courthouse. A space and utilization study of the courthouse is presently (2/04) underway. There are several discussions taking place on what may happen to the Goose, but it is not leaving San Miguel county as far as I know. There is a new county historical group that has formed, and their first area of concern has been the stabilization of the San Bernardo mill building (south of Ophir), with the hope of acquiring that structure. With that site is a fair chunk of RGS main line, adjacent to the highway. I picture ties, rails, and an operating Goose at that location. Presently, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has contracted with us to do initial structural stabilization of that structure, and we are about half way complete on that work." On May 29th, 2008 Goose 4 was moved to Ridgway for cosmetic restoration, to take place over the next 3 years. There's details & photos here. Oct 2009: Some (see this posting) feel that Goose 4 is likely to be restored to operation. Howeer, the agreement with Telluride is only for a cosmetic restoration, but at least most of the work will be done, should a complete restoration be desired later. Let's hope that becomes the case! May 2010: Dave Schaaf, president of the Rocky Mtn RR Club, posted the following to the RGS Yahoo list recently: "After speaking with Karl Schaeffer, who is a member of the Rocky Club and the Ridgway Museum, here below is the bit that I wrote in the February issue of our Rail Report (Karl built the re-created Motor #1):" Karl writes: "Galloping Goose #4 has been undergoing a cosmetic restoration at Ridgway, and has now been approved for a LIMITED RETURN TO OPERATIONAL STATUS. This Goose is owned by the volunteer fire dept in Telluride, and they have given the OK to make it operable for short trips at low speeds. There are no plans to try and run it in Durango or Chama. Nov 2010: Restoration continues, and again there's been confirmation that the Ridgway Museum folks will be allowed to operate the Goose once a year. The frieght/passenger compartment has been rebuilt, the bus body exterior has been sand-blasted and repainted, and restoration of the seats is underway. The engine has been removed and is being rebuilt in Telluride. Sep 2011: She runs !! On Aug 20th, Goose 4's motor ran for the first time in half a century, and a couple days later moved under her own power. Details and videos are on the Ridgway Museum's site. The engine is a 361 GMC built in 1947, and likely installed when the Goose was converted to tourist duties. There are still plans for #4 and all the other Geese to unite at CRRM in 2012. ![]() |
Ridgway Museum page
Camp Talk pics Youtube: CRRM unload Dave: p1 RGS map pic NG Disc pic Oct 09: NGD pics Nov 09: Couple pics |
Goose 5 | Wayne Bus Co 43'-3" Transmission: 4-speed manual, truck type |
Built 6/8/33 | Dolores,CO (operating - Goose Hist Soc) The RGS replaced the orginal engine with a 261cc GMC engine. When restored (about 1998), this engine was removed, and replaced with a 346cc Reo engine that Knott's had pulled out of Goose #3. Many details and photos are available in a QuickPic book on this goose. |
Dave: pics wheel Dolores pics Goose Hist Soc Goose restored C&TS pics D&SN pics Rails Proj pic GhostDepot Dave: pics Fritz: pics Me 6/07: pics Video '99 |
Goose 6 | Pierce Arrow 25'-8" 8700 lb |
Built 1/13/34 Work Goose |
Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO (newly rebuilt) This Goose completed an extensive rebuild in Nov 2008 (see details in the Goose timeline). /> The work at CRRM included replacing the brakes with a truck Maxi-brake, and many other fixes. Here's some photos from Oct '08. Many details and photos are available in a QuickPic book on this goose. |
Dave:
p1
Bill White page Travis: pic Mario: p1 p2 p3 Me 6/07: pics |
Goose 7 | Pierce Arrow '26 46'-0" 16500 lb |
Built 10/27/36 | Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO (newly rebuilt) The RGS replaced the orginal engine with a 261cc GMC engine. This Goose completed an extensive rebuild in Nov 2008 (see details in the Goose timeline). By Jan '05, the cab was being restored, and the work is going slowly because each piece is unique and has to be custom-manufactured. New wheels have also been cast. By Aug '08, the museum reports that the engine has been brought back to working order, and the front trucks have been installed. The rear power trucks are currently being assembled. Here's some photos from Oct '08. |
Dave:
p1
Detail, Underbody photos Bill White page Me 6/07: pics |
Name | Type | Build date / Use | Location | Pics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tender from RGS #19 | Tender | Built ? | Remains on side of Keystone hill, on Telluride branch. It was wrecked w/Engine #19 during a run-away on the
hill, on Jan 30, 1907. The tender was never retrieved.
Tom Burns writes: "When driving from Vance Junction toward Ophir, don't forget to look toward your left up on the hill before you cross the Telluride branch grade. The twisted tender for RGS #19 is still up on the hill after it ran away in 1907. This is probably one of the few remaining engine artifacts in the area that is easily visable from a public road." Larry Spencer adds his take that actually the site of the wreck itself was further up the hill; based on the damage to the tender it looks like it jack-knifed into the locomotive. He speculates that perhaps the wrecking crew, while salvaging the locomotive, removed the trucks then shoved the tender remains further downhill to get it out of the way, and then it was somehow never retrieved. Bob Richardson took a pile of photos in 1965: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 Ted Van Klavern snapped a photo in 1973: p1 And Jerry Halbert photographed it in 1975: p1 p2 p3 Another from 1984: p1 Greg Coit in Sep 2006: pics Jerry Day in Oct 2018: pics |
Pic in Ssj, p177 | ||
BC&F / Calumet Fuel Co tender
Formerly D&RG #225 |
Tender | Built 1882 | This tender was buried at the Perin Peak coal mine and used as the town water supply.
That area is now a wild life refuge and sealed off during the winter.
The tender was recovered at some point, and taken to CRRM where it eventually was placed on a new tender frame for the displayed DSP&P #51 / DL&G #191. (additional history from Mallory Hope Ferrell, NGSL Nov/Dec 2015, pg 59) |
Pic in Ghost,p133 Pic at CRRM | ||
Speeder | Speeder | Built early 1930s? | Orange Empire RR Museum Perris, CA |
Dave: info | ||
Caboose 0400 | Caboose | Built 9-1890 Built new for RGS (by D&RG, cost $875) Left in Ridgway after 1952 To Clifton CO, 1973 To Georgetown Loop RR in 1988 To CRRM in Oct 2004 |
Colorado RR Museum Golden CO The caboose was left in Ridgway after 1952, after being used during scrapping operations. It eventually found its way to the Better Business Club in 1962, outside town, where it put on display. Later it was used in the film True Grit (which also featured parts of the depot; the caboose was apparently towed to simulate movement, on a section of rebuilt narrow gauge track, as all the RGS track had been removed at that point. Or so I understand...). In 1968, after the filming, the caboose was moved to the city park (near the depot) and put back on display. Jerry Albers acquired the caboose and moved it to Clifton CO in 1973, where it was restored. Jerry has written a great story (w/photos) of many details about this move and restoration. The caboose went to the Georgetown Loop RR in 1988, and saw light use for a time. In 1991 it was put on display there, and in 2003 was restored to operation (see Shane's pics tracking the restoration) When the Georgetown changed hands (the Colorado Historical Society took over operations), the caboose was moved (in Oct 2004) to the Colorado RR Museum for storage, where it remains today, still owned by the Georgetown Loop. Here's pictures of it getting a new paint job during the June 2017 Friends work sessions. There's some additional details and updates in this post. Bill White details: tech details drawings ![]() |
Shane pics: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 Dave: pic Bill's int pics Me 6/07: pics |
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Caboose 0401 | Caboose | Built 9-1890 Built new for RGS (by D&RG, cost $875) To Boulder, CO 1952 Destroyed 1958 | (destroyed)
This caboose was purchased by the town of Boulder CO in 1952, along with RGS engine 74. Both were put on display in a city park. Unfortunately, the caboose was destroyed in 1958, by vandals using dynamite. Here's a photo of the remains from 1960. Trucks survived, and were used under the replacement display caboose, D&RGW 04990 Later found the trucks were from D&RGW 20-ton gondola 8864, built 1887 and scrapped 1925 We do know the RGS replaced 0401's original trucks' with freight car trucks about 1950 Many details about the restoration were on the Boulder Co RR Hist Society's site, but that's now (July 2008) offline, apparently. Work continues on RGS 74 as well. A number of other parts survived as well, and were recently traded to be used in restoring D&RG caboose 0579. |
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Caboose 0402 | Caboose | Built 1-1891 for D&RG | Knott's Berry Farm Buena Park, CA Ghost Town & Calico RR (operating!) Jeff Taylor (at Knott's) reports that he thought "0402 had the light house atop the cupola until she was removed from service sometime during WWII. Like Jerry Albers said about 0400 she also would have been boxcar red, with a dark grey or black roof, and silver trim. The trim just above the letter board would have been silver as well. Today she has a light green interior. I don't know what colors are under that, but I have seen some yellow on the inside of the cabinet doors. Weird! As for markers the RGS should have fallowed the D&RGW's rules. I.E. red, amber, amber, amber." |
Dave: pic
NGC page: p1 p2 p3 Steve E: p1 Jeff T: p1 p2 int1 int2 int3 int4 int5 int6 int7 YouTube videos: v1 v2 v3 v4 v5 |
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Caboose 0404 | Caboose | Built 1902 Built new for RGS An interesting tidbit from Bill Beverly - he notes that the seats in the cupola came out of an old trolley. The seat was cut in half and each half of the bench was installed up in the cupola. That's why the ends of the bench seats there are so decorative. He has a picture picture of these seats in his RGS group photo albums. Used on last RGS train 12-27-51 |
Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO |
Bill RGS list pics Dave: pic Travis: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 Mario: p1 p2 Me 6/07: pics |
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Caboose 0409 | Caboose | Built 1878 ex-D&RG 11 / 0510 To RGS 1891 as W409 To Narrow Gauge Motel Alamosa, CO in 1953 To Magic Mtn Golden,CO in 1959 To Heritage Sq Golden,CO 1971 To display (at Magic Mtn) Golden,CO 1961 To display at Woodmoor Corp Monument,CO 2-2-1969 To a restaurant bar at Heritage Square Golden,CO 5-9-1971 To Disneyland Tokyo |
Disneyland Tokyo, Japan
Originally numbered D&RG 0510, this caboose was renumbered W409 when purchased by the RGS in 1891. It was soon rebuilt to the D&RG's 1892 standards, but w/ a single side-windowed cupola. Jerry Albers reported "that the body of 0409 was completely rebuilt, and the original body no longer exists: The body of 0409 was pretty much taken apart in 1959. The end walls were kept, but the rest was re-done. The coupla was moved to the end, new siding was put on and the interior was completely gutted to make room for seats for passengers. I really don't recall seeing coupla seats when it was the resturant bar at Heritage Square." Ed Kelley posted some additional information on the NGDF on 12-17-04. He writes that the caboose is indeed there, as a display. What's interesting is that Tokyo Disneyland's railroad is 30" gauge...the same gauge shared by Disneyland's former Viewliner and Mine Train, as well as the Fort Wilderness steam trains in Orlando. All other Magic Kingdom railroads have been 36", as usual. The caboose is on static display; it isn't used, but is sitting with several other artifacts at a sort of dummy depot/MOW shed. |
Chris: pics | ||
Coach 252 | Wood coach 38'-7" |
Built 1880 ex-D&RG 37 / 261 ex-RGS work car 0252 To Trout Lake, CO residence To Durango (tmp storage) 1999 To Monta Vista CO, 2005 To Baker City, OR, 2012 To Ridgway RR Museum, CO, 2017 |
Ridgway Railway Museum Ridgway, CO (being restored) Back in 2012, there was some discussion about moving 252 to the WRPS Back in 2012, there was some discussion about moving 252 to the WRPS, with the intent to restore it for operation on the Sumpter Valley. Later, Tim Bain purchased the car with the thought of using it in Como. But instead, he sold it to the Ridgway Museum instead, letting it 'return home'. It's now there, and being restored. Some discussion is here, and full details from the museum are here. |
Dave: pic WRPS: pics NG Disc: pics |
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Coach 254 | Wood coach 38'-5" |
Built 1880 ex-D&RG 39 / 263 Used as Vance Jct depot |
Dismantled; parts remain
In May 2006, this car was traded by CRRM, and is now owned by Don Shank, of Monte Vista CO. Don created the D&RG Historical Foundation, and owns the Wagon Wheel Gap RR, where he spent some time trying to establish a tourist line using the old D&RGW branch to Creede CO, but ran into opposition from the town of Creede. The coach body was later considered for purchase by the Ridgway Railroad Museum, but it was too far gone for them to restore. Tony K provided some pictures of the coach during it's time at Monte Vista in Feb 2012 (see links). My understanding is that it eventually ended up back at the CRRM and was dismantled, with some parts saved for a possible future recreation. This NG Discussion Forum thread had a number of pictures of the station grouns and building remains from 1976. |
Dave: p1
Travis: p1 p2 Greg R: p1 Mario: p1 Tony K 2012: p1 p2 p3 p4 |
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Coach 256 | Wood coach 38'-3" |
Built 1880 (named Col. Pfeiffer) ex-D&RG 42 / 266 To RGS passenger service 4-1891 (numbered 256) To RGS work service after 1933 (renumbered 0256) To residence (Dolores) 1952 Purchased by GGHS in 1999, and being restored. |
Residence Dolores,CO Used for Bridge & Building crews; here's a photo from 5-23-51, in Dolores. Jul 2008: The coach has been moved to Val Truelson's property, in Dolores, to begin restoration work - here's details. Aug 2012: An update on restoration efforts is here. Basically, the GGHS doesn't have money or facilities to properly restore the car; they're applying for grant money to help w/ that. They DO, however, have a set of trucks now - an older set from the Durango & Silverton - good enough for display, but not operation. |
Dave: pic
NGDF: pic |
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Coach 257 | Wood coach 38'-3" |
Built 1880 (by Jackson & Sharp) ex-D&RG 43 / 267 To RGS 5-4-1891 To D&S 1983 rebuilt 1986 ("Bell") renamed 1997 ("Shenandoah") |
Durango & Silverton Durango, CO (operating) This is a Jackson & Sharp coach, built in 1880 (see more details at www.rgmhs.org) The RGS purchased it on 5-4-1891, and later converted it to a combination coach / baggage between 1924 and 1932. The Durango & Silverton acquired the car at some point, and rebuilt it in 1986, renaming it 'Bell', and then renamed it again in 1997 to 'Shenandoah'. |
Dave: pic | ||
Coach 260 | Wood coach 39'-8" |
Built 1896 (new for RGS) To "display" in Ridgway park about 1952 To CRRM in 1962 (trucks desired for business car B-8) To Huckleberry Railroad (car body only), year unknown |
Huckleberry Railroad Flint, MI |
Huckleberry pics | ||
RPO 150 | Wood RPO 34'-4" |
Built 1880 ex-D&RG 6 / 55 To RGS 150 Mar 1891 To Vance Jct (as a shed) 1904 To USFS (still at Vance Jct) 1953 To Bob Shank early 1980s (very detoriated by this time) To CRRM 1984 Dismantled at CRRM Feb 2012 (sills to C&S #1113 restoration) |
Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO (dismantled) D&RG # 6 was built by Billmeyer & Small in 1880 for the D&RG, as RPO #6. It was renumbered as #55 in 1885. It was sold to the RGS in 1891 and renumbered #150. The RGS set it out as Vance Jct in 1904, as a wayside structure. The carbody was saved by Bob Shank and later acquired by CRRM in July of 1984. Most of the surviving iron parts were salvaged, as were the center & intermediate sills (in near pristine condition). Two of those sills became part of the restoration of C&S refrigerator car #1113. Some pieces of original 'wood' material were privately saved for analysis and study. |
details / photos | ||
San Juan / Edna / B-20 | Wood Business 48'-9" |
Built 1881 ex-D&RG A ex-'San Juan' ex-B-20 To KBF 11-51 |
Knott's Berry Farm Buena Park, CA (operating!) Built in 1881 by Jackson & Sharp at a cost of $5000, this business car was 48'-9" in length and originally numbered D&RG car 'A'. By the time it went to the RGS, it had be renamed 'San Juan' and was Otto Mears' personal business car. In May 1909, superintendent W.D. Lee renamed the car 'Edna'. (SSJ, pg 612). When Otto was hired to rebuild the RGS after the flood of Feb 1909, he again used B-20 (now named Edna) as his personal business car (SSJ, pg 140). Bill Beverly writes on the HOn3 group: "She is in beautiful condition. I have never been inside it before. The first section is the galley, stove, pantry and pull down bunk for the cooking crew. The middle section is a bedroom with bed, toilet, sink, and closet. (nicer than my first apartment) The last section is an observation room with seats and tables. The wood was in excellent condition along with period lighting fixtures and stained glass windows up top. I am not sure if the stained glass was originally used, they looked like reproductions. I could have ridden around the park all day." Note also that Edna had paper wheels while she was on the RGS. The Rico also has paper wheels, still there as she rests at CRRM. Jeff Taylor reported in Nov 2011 that Edna was repainted, 11 years after Knott's restored her. This time, the green exterior paint has a clear coat over it, to keep it from fading. Jeff also found a beam on the underside with a note from an Alamosa shopping in 1927. Some photos: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 Underside Roof And if you'd like to compare, here's a picture from 1949. Thanks Jeff !!! Jeff Taylor took a huge number of photos of the interior; they're posted on the NG Disc Forum with a lot of notes. I've also got them listed individually in the next column. Truly an amazing restoration, and it really gives one an understanding of the 'finer things' from Otto Mears' days. I list the photos here, since there's so many: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 p9 p10 p11 p12 p13 p14 p15 p16 p17 p18 p19 p20 p21 p22 p23 p24 p25 p26 p27 p28 p29 p31 p32 p33 p35 p37 p38 p39 p40 |
Ted Van Klaveren, early 1950s: p1 NCG pics: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 Arthur's: p1 p2 Dave: pics Steve E: pics Jeff: (see text) |
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Rico / Montezuma / B-21 / 021 | Wood Business 43' |
Built 1880 ex-D&RG 4 / 53 / 569 ex-RGS constr car C-3 Left at Vance Jct 1904 Per Silver San Juan p140, the 'Rico' was renamed Montezuma after it was wrecked in the summer of 1909 (twice actually, once during a weekly pay trip over the road, and again on its way to Alamosa for repairs from that derailment). The superintendent at the time - Clemente D. Wolfinger - took the rebuilding as an opportunity to rename it to Montezuma, since he had bad memories of being a bank teller in Rico at the time of the 'Silver Panic' in 1893, and thus the name Rico invoked bad memories. Some history of Rico's paint color: When painted green (1918) - it was called B-21. When lettered Montezuma or Rico - it was Tuscan Red About 1933 it it became 021 and was painted red oxide as the other work equipment. Note also that Rico has paper wheels. The Edna also had paper wheels during her time on the RGS. Aug 2011: The Rico is getting a new coat of varnish; there's some pictures available on the Colorado RR Museum site. |
Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO |
NGC: pic
Dave: pic Fritz Klinke: int Me 6/07: pics |
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Boxcar 01789 (info) |
Boxcar 40000 lb |
Built 1887 Oldest remaining car in CO Last use on RGS was in water service. Mark Evans writes that "the 01789 car has a galvanized metal roof. That was added when it went into work car service. Many of the RGS work cars had the galvanized roof added." |
Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO Many details and photos are available in a QuickPic book on this car. |
NGC: pic
RGS Tech Pg pics Dave: pic Travis: pic |
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Boxcar / Outfit 8714 (Miller car) |
Boxcar 50000 lb |
Built 1910 ex C&S 8308 To RGS 7-29-38 To Narrow Gauge Motel in Alamosa, CO in 1953 To Magic Mtn/Heritage Sq (Golden,CO), as a 'rider' car in 1959 To display (at Magic Mtn) Golden,CO 1961 To display at Woodmoor Corp Monument,CO 2-2-1969 To dining area at Heritage Square Golden,CO 5-9-1971 To Georgetown Loop RR in Georgetown, CO (formerly #9, later converted to 'Torrys Peak' for passenger use) To CRRM for storage, Oct 2004 |
Colorado RR Museum Golden CO (owned by & painted for Georgetown Loop RR) |
DenverLib pic
Shane's pic Steve Peck '93: p1 p2 Dave '04: p1 Me 6/07: pics | ||
Boxcar / Outfit 8607 (Miller car?) |
(type?) --000 lb |
Built 19-- ex C&S 8179 To RGS (date?) |
Olathe, CO
Bill Pratt reports that he believes this car to be C&S 8179 originally, as he found that number stenciled inside. Bill later reported (in Oct '04) that the old outfit car is being rebuilt for use as a guest house. It's been covered with particle board which is in the process of being replaced with new siding. New metal roof panels have been ordered and should be put on next summer. The owner wants the reconstruction to be as historically accurate as possible. This is far cry from the early photos (see p1), when the car was just a few rotting frame timbers and bits of inner walls. |
Bill Pratt: p1 p2 |
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Boxcar (others) (Miller cars) |
Boxcar (various - about 78) |
Built c1910 To RGS 7-29-38 To Chicago Freight Car Parts (Salida, CO) late 1938 (some) To WP&Y c1942 (?) |
White Pass & Yukon Skagway, AL 78 of the boxcars Miller had purchased are shipped to Chicago Freight Car Parts Company for rebuilding, at Salida. The US Government apparently bought some (or all?) and sent some to Alaska (WP&Y), Hawaii, and the Philippines. Silver San Juan notes that a number were sent to Alaska (WP&Y) and remained there at late as 1971, but were gone by 1975. More careful research by Mike Peltier has shone that although the WP&Y received a number of C&S cars, none of these were Miller's cars from the RGS. Dennis remembers a baggage car and tool car at Skagway, and #704 at Whitehorse. Brian says when the WP&Y went to containers many boxcars were apparently cut down into flat cars. Grant says the WP&Y currently has 4 C&S boxcars w/o numbers - possibly pictured in Dave's photos from 1996? |
Dave: pics | ||
Reefer 2101 (Miller car) |
Reefer | Built 1909 ex C&S 1113 To RGS 10-13-1938 To "display" in Ridgway park about 1952 To a tourist line attempting to get started in Wisconsin, about (???); never left Ridgway? To Ft Lupton for the Sundown & Southern (Don Drawer) in 1972 To | CRRM in 2004 Being restored at | CRRM, 2012 (now has sills from dismanted RGS mail/baggage #150) |
Colorado RR Museum This car is being restored now (spring 2013)! Read all the details at: NG Disc Golden, CO (purchased from S&S for $5000) |
Dave: pic |
Reefer / Outfit 2102 (Miller car) |
Reefer | Built 1909 ex C&S 1116 To RGS 10-13-1938 To RGS outfit 1940 To Magic Mtn/Heritage Sq (Golden,CO), as a 'rider' car in 1959 To display (at Magic Mtn) Golden,CO 1961 To display at Woodmoor Corp Monument,CO 2-2-1969 To dining area at Heritage Square Golden,CO 5-9-1971 To GLRR, rebuilt as "Grays Peak" for passenger service To CRRM for storage, Oct 2004 | Colorado RR Museum Golden CO (owned by & painted for Georgetown Loop RR) |
Reed Hodgin 8/01 pic
Steve Peck 2/01 p1 p2 Dave p1 Me 6/07: pics |
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Stockcar 7201 / 7302 (Miller car) |
AC&F Stock 50000 lb |
Built 1900 ex C&S 7064 To RGS 7-13-1938 |
Colorado RR Museum Golden, CO |
Dave: p1 Bob: p2 |
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Stockcar 7303 (Miller car) |
AC&F Stock (?) 50000 lb (?) |
Built 1900 ex C&S 7080 To RGS in 8-21-1938 |
(unknown) Was on Dallas Divide in 1976 |
Note - there's more information and pictures about remaining structures and right-of-way details on the RGS home page, on their Remains page. It's really great information, and includes information on how to find these sites if you want to hike in and explore them.
Name | Location | Condition | Use | Pics |
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Ridgway org roundhouse |
Ridgway, CO | Gone, remains fading
Fritz Klinke writes in Mar 2006, of this area, that "the only other intact trackage I've seen on the RGS was several years ago at the original Ridgway roundhouse, and several rails were in place under a couple of feet of water. That area is rapidly being developed, and the wye area is now completely gone, being buried under new houses and streets. Little by little, it is all disappearing. Ridgway is a hot real estate market now and prices are escalating rapidly." |
Gone | |
Ridgway Depot |
Ridgway Railroad Museum, Ridgway, CO | Excellent condition, turned 90 degrees (facing north now), and moved just east and south of it's original
location.
In the movie True Grit (filmed about 1968, released 1969), you can see the depot, already moved, painted white, and coverted to a residence. What is even more interesting is that the film shows the freight house as well - still standing at its original location, and still in D&RGW colors. In fact, the freight house is used in the film. As it now longer had the rest of the depot attached, the filmmakers added a ticket window on the southern end, covering the freight house doors. The freight house survived until about 1976, according to Jerry Albers, and std-gauge track to Ridgway was removed sometime after 1977. The depot was owned privately until about 2017, used as a residence. When up for sale in August 2006, it had an - asking price 1.3 million! But the huge news is that the Ridgway RR Museum has entered a partnership with the Ouray County Ranch History Museum, and the depot is becoming a museum. For now, the depot is used by the ranching museum, but as the grounds are developed it'll be converted to an RGS museum. And more news - a 1/2 mile loop of track is being built on the grounds, with portions very close to the original ROW, and a full-size operating replica of 4-4-0 RGS #36 is being built, providing live steam running there; details in this newsletter. This locomotive joins the already-operating replica of Motor #1 (the first Goose). A test run of the Motor on the new track is available on YouTube. Jun 2018: Update and photos of the track laying in this NG Disc List post. |
Museum |
ForSale pic -Aug 2006 John H pic Ranch Museum pic1 Ranch Museum pic2 |
Depot Outhouse / Coal Shed | Ridgway Railway Museum Ridgway, CO |
Excellent, restored This is the outhouse and coal shed, from the Ridgway depot grounds. There's a better photo, and more information, at this link from the Ridgway Railroad Museum, where it's now located. |
Exhibit | Me 6/07:
pics Museum pics |
Bridge 22-A | Haskill (near Brown, CO) |
Footings only Originally 264' long and 54' high, this trestle was rebuilt in 1914, moving it slightly closer to the ranch and highway - it was then 368' long and 58' high. This photo shows both approaches (the original is on the right, as you're looking south; ranch site and highway are about 75' to the left). This trestle was located alongside the Green Mountain Ranch, and many of the photos of it were taken looking up at the trestle from the ranch's grounds. The concrete footings of the trestle are still there, as are the main house from the ranch a couple of other buildings. The small dirt road going thru the ranch and under the trestle in early pictures is now a paved highway, going back into the valley behind the ranch site. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pcs |
Bridge 19-A | north of Brown, CO |
Pilings Brian Banks found what little remains of 19-A - just concrete pilings and a few ties on the right-of-way above. It's on the west side of the highway. This was a large trestle - 286' long and 45' high. |
Abandoned | |
Bridge (???) | near Brown, CO |
Rotting We found these pilings beside the highway, in Leopard Creek. I'm not sure what bridge they're from. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics |
Placerville Depot |
Placerville, CO | Good
The depot was cut into pieces shortly after 1952, part of it becoming part of the Post Office, and another part of a private home. The home is 1 block above the mercantile store. By 2004, the depot building was being used for storage and a workshop. George Cooke was able to photograph it, and even got a picture of the interior. The NG Discussion Forum had pictures from 1976. |
Workshop | NGC: pic
George: p1 p2 p3 p4 int J Humphrey: p1 |
Sawpit / Primos Tramway Ore Bin |
Sawpit, CO | Good
The depot was cut into pieces shortly after 1952, part of it becoming part of the Post Office, and another part of a private home. The home is 1 block above the mercantile store. By 2004, the depot building was being used for storage and a workshop. George Cooke was able to photograph it, and even got a picture of the interior. |
Restored | Me 6/07: pics
J Humphrey (before restoration): p1 |
Valley View Tank fill pipe |
Ridgway RR Museum, Ridgway, CO | Good
This is the fill pipe from the (long gone) water tank at Valley View (south of bridge 9-A); it's on display in inside outfit car 04914, at the Ridgway RR Museum. |
On display | David Dye: p1 |
Vance Jct Depot (ex-coach 254) |
CRRM Golden, CO |
Poor
This is now owned by the Ridgway RR Museum, but for the moment it's still located at CRRM. |
On display | (see Coach 254 above) |
Vance Jct Section shed D&RG boxcar #13680 |
60000lb Box | Built 1895 A std-gauge boxcar Left at Vance Jct early 1900s (for storage, I assume?) This car is at an undisclosed musuem in Colorado, and is expected (as of Feb 2012) to be acquired and moved to the Colorado RR Museum in Golden CO. |
Colorado | Dave: pic |
Vance Jct Coal pocket |
Vance Junction, CO | Stable
This coal pocket was recently stabilized, and is in the best shape it's been in for years. There is a lot of new lumber, which I understand looks a little odd, but at least the structure is stable now and in no risk of collasping. The forest service road is usually drivable all the way into Vance Jct, and the restored coal pocket and can be viewed, along w/foundations of most of the other buildings that once stood at this junction. |
Abandoned | NGC: pics
Mario: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 more pics Ted Wiese: p1 p2 p3 |
Bridge 37-B | Vance Jct, CO | Footings This was the Bilk trestle, a mile or two above (RR north) the Vance Jct coal pockets. It was 86' long, 27' high. Originally built as a Howe truss, it was rebuilt in 1911 and became 144' long, 31' high. |
Abandoned | From RGS Homepage: pic |
Bridge 44-A | Ophir, CO | Timber pile This was the Butterfly trestle, just below (RR north) of the Ophir low line. It was 338' long, 60' high, and crossed Lake Fork. It was about about 1971, then deemed a hazard and dismantled. |
Abandoned | Ted Wiese: photos Dave: Pics |
Ophir lowline | Ophir, CO | Abandoned grade
The grade leading to the huge bridge 45-A, wrapping around approximately below bridge 46-A on the highline above. |
Abandoned | Dave 2005: p1 |
Gilton Club | Ophir, CO | This building is easily identifable in the old photos of Ophir. Although the new highway has obliterated most of the Ophir depot grounds and surround area, this building survived. | Residence | George:
pic
NGC: pic Me 6/07: pic |
Bridge 45-A | Ophir, CO | Collasped This was the huge trestle at Ophir Loop, just below (RR north) of the depot grounds. It was 476' long, 96' high, and crossed Howard Fork. Large areas around this trestle have been reclaimed due to contamination from mining operations that were running after the RGS was abandoned. The northern (lower) end of the trestle has many remains of the bents still laying on the ground (in 2007). The southern (upper, or depot) end has the huge footers way down in the canyon by the Howard Fork creek still in place, and many of the old bridge timbers are lying there in a huge pile as well. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics |
Bridge 46-A | Ophir, CO | Footings only
The first of the Ophir highline bridges, it 62' long and 30' high. |
Abandoned |
Paul 2004: pics Ron 1990 or 2001: p1 p2 |
Bridge 46-B | Ophir, CO | Footings only
The second of the Ophir highline bridges, it was 102' long and 35' high. |
Abandoned |
Dave 2005: pic Paul 2004: pics Ron 1990 or 2001: p1 |
Bridge 46-C | Ophir, CO | Footings only
The third of the Ophir highline bridges, it was 151' long and 42' high. |
Abandoned |
Dave 2005: pics |
Bridge 46-D | Ophir, CO | Footings only
The fourth of the Ophir highline bridges, it was 354' long and 76' high. |
Abandoned |
Dave 2005: pics nearby |
Bridge 46-E | Ophir, CO | Footings only
The fifth of the Ophir highline bridges, 216' long and 26' high. |
Abandoned |
Me 6/07:
pics
Ron 1990 or 2001: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 |
Bridge 46-F | Ophir, CO | Footings only
The sixth and last of the Ophir highline bridges, it was 172' long and 21' high. |
Abandoned |
Me 6/07:
pics
Dave 2005: p1 Ron 1990 or 2001: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 |
Mill | Matterhorn, CO | This was a large ore-processing mill, sitting on a spur of the RGS mainline just south of Ophir. It still stands today. The spur to the mill is a dirt road now, and the nearby RGS main goes through the area in a cut; the mill installed a conveyor in this cut after abandonment. | Abandoned |
Hart 8/06: p1 p2 p3 Me 6/07: pics |
Bridge 51-A | Trout Lake, CO | Restored
This trestle is 109' long and 35' high. 6/15/04: Fritz Klinke reports that after 9 years of seeking funding, work will begin in July 2004 to stabilize this trestle, after meeting w/the Forest Service, San Miguel County and the Colorado Historical Society. Money is coming from the Scenic Byways program of Colorado's State Historical Fund. The project will rebuild only a portion (perhaps 5 bents), while the other bents and redecking await further funding. 6/28/04: The Forest Service has cleared out old growth around the trestle, giving the best view of it since RGS days. 9/9/04: The Forest Service has begun work at the footings. Fritz took a photo of the work in Oct. 10/7/05: And a friend of Ted Wiese took another photo (Yahoo membership req'd to view) |
Abandoned | NGC page: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 Dave 2005: pics map Mario 2004: p1 p2 June/July 2004: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 George 10/05: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 Me 6/07: pics |
Telluride Depot |
Telluride | Good condition. The latest news (winter 2018) is a proposal to gut the interior, preserver the exterior, and
create an independent Molecular Science resarch facility. Details are
here, including links the depot
restoration portion of the project and a
PDF with more detailed plans
and a great overview of the history of the building. In the past the depot had housed a
microbrewery/restaurant (around 1996/97) and later just a restaurant (around 2005). In 2007, it became the
home of the Ah Haa School for the Arts, and was open to the public. In 2020,
the school is building a new facility in Telluride, and the depot building
There are some photos on this Telluride history page. The NG Discussion Forum had pictures from 1976. The latest news is an announcement by the Telluride Science Research Center to purchase and preserve the building, with plans to open in summer 2012. |
Remodeled | Mario: p1 p2 p3 Fallen Flag pic RGS map: p1-1974 p2-c2001 Me 6/07: pics RR adv: pic |
Trout Lake Water Tank |
Trout Lake, CO | Good | Abandoned |
Mario: p1 p2 p3 Dave: pics GhostDepot pics: p1 p2 p3 frame ctr joist foot spout George 10/05: pic NG Circle: main pg p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 Me 6/07: pics |
Bridge 52-A | near Lizard Head, CO | Rotting Timbers
Tom Casper has identified this as a bridge on the route from Trout Lake to Lizard Head; I think it's probably 52-A, which was 32' long and 5' high. Tom says there's a road bridge there today, that can be driven over; this bridge was out-of-service for a while (prior to 2009). |
Gone! | p1 |
Bridge 58-A | Gallagher, CO | This is the site of the large Gallagher trestles, 57-A, 57-B and 58-A. | Abandoned |
Dave 2005: pics more |
Ore Bin | Rico, CO | Intact
Up on the Enterprise branch (still drivable - it's all dirt roads today), you can view the intact ore bin the Union Carbonate mine, which itself is locate far above the ROW across a gulch. The bin and cables are still in place. This sat on the RGS branch to Enterprise, and was used to transfer ore into railroad cars. The road here is the old Rio Grande Southern right-of-way. |
Abandoned | Steven H pic |
Rico Depot |
Rico, CO | Gone
However, in a truly amazing example of the scope of RGS influence, the city of Elgin,IL built a new commuter rail depot modeled after Rico's depot. Andy Roth and 3 co-workers design and built railroad depots in the Chicago area. Josel Gonzalez was managing the Elgin project, and after discussing the architectural look for Elgin's new depot, Josel told the architect to design station that looked like the G-scale Rico Depot he has on his desk. Elgin upgraded a number of features, but the resemblance is uncanny. Amazing... |
Original - gone Elgin's - in use |
Rico's depot: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 Elgin's depot: p1 |
Rico Engine House |
Rico, CO | Gone! But the footings can still be found w/a little exploration. | Torn down | (anybody have pics?) |
Rico Outhouse |
Rico, CO | Stable Coming into the Rico depot grounds from the north, as you drive down the hillside, you'll see this RGS outhouse on your left, still standing and with 'RGS' lettering still clearly visible. I'm not sure if this came from the depot or the engine house area. |
??? | John: pics |
Rico Water Tank |
Rico, CO | Poor
But a restoration project was approved in Feb 2003. Fritz Klinke's company from Silverton will be doing the work. 4/13/04 - update, grants have been received from the Colorado State Historical fund and work has begun. Apparently, the town has also indicated interest in relaying some track under the tower and displaying a couple of cars. Perhaps the CRRM Goose could move there, and Rico could lay enough track to offer short rides? Fritz Klinke is working on the restoration of this tank, and provided some photos of the work, taken by Loren Lew. Fritz writes: "The pictures show footer replacement, jacking up tank, as much as 6 inches in spots, and the new shingle roof. We completely redecked the floor that covers the tank at the top of the staves (typical of all the ng tanks--there is a floor you can walk on under the roof right above the water), replaced most of the roof rafters, replaced all the roof sheathing, applied one layer of roll asphalt roofing, then a layer of a product named "cedar breather" and then applied fire treated #1 Canadian sawn cedar shingles." "The top is flashed with lead flashing where the ball ornament once was. We have plans to reinstall the water spout perhaps this week (10/12/04), with the ropes and chains. We also repositioned the tank bands, but the tank has shrunk so much that they don't really look too good. It would require cutting each band, overlapping the joints and either weld together or rivet, but that extensive amount of work was not included in this grant. It should be pointed out that the tank is owned by the Town of Rico, and the work was funded by a grant from the Colorado Historical Fund and the Rico Historical Society. And my company, Klinke & Lew Contractors, did the work." Mar 2006: Fritz says his company's been contracted for a bit more stablizing work this summer, including tightening the hoops and other work. Also, Fritz writes "I have walked most of the area around the tank and there is nothing there except patches of cinders and some traces of where tracks were. The willows have reclaimed much of that area, and when willows take over, it is because of a high water table, but also causes the land to be declared wet lands, and there goes the neighborhood." (Note - the restoration photos are the property of and are copyrighted by Loren Lew) |
Abandoned | DPL 1983 pic
Henry's 1990 pic Dave: pics tank pg Restoration pix: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 Rails Proj pics: p1 |
Dolores Depot (replica) Depot Freight House (original) |
Dolores, CO | Excellent
The Dolores depot was torn down, but was rebuilt in the 1990s. It's location is a tad different (something about the town not wanting a depot in the middle of the street!). The original location was along the main line with the passenger section on the east side (5th St.) and fright to the west(4th St). The rebuilt depot is laid out similarly, but is located about 90' north and 30' east. There's a few other minor differences as well - the windows are slightly different, and the freight portion was shortened somewhat. Dick Dorman, author of a number of photo books on the RGS, handling the design and drafting work for this new building. 2012: Some news has occurred... the original RGS order board has been returned, and is now installed at the depot. The news link has details and photos. The GGHS provided a little history of the original depot's disposition after the RGS was abandoned: "With regard to the Dolores Depot, what info we have is that the building was split and part was moved to Lewis, CO and the rest was being used as an apple barn and the lady that had it [told] of it having been burned and [later] torn down. [There was also some news] that there was a building on highway 145 between Dolores & Cortez at the Fox Saddle shop (which has multiple old buildings on the property). One the buildings (we were told) was the freight portion of the depot. Two of the GGHS board members went and looked at it and thought that could be accurate but the property had new owners and they could not confirm it." A friend in Dolores in 2024 added to this story, confirmd the story above, and located a picture of it. From that friend - "The depot part of the Dolores depot did burn back when, but the freight part is still around. It was part of Fox Saddle Shop (in Cortez CO), south of Dolores and is still there is off 145 between P road and N road on west side of 145. The Gallopging Goose Historical Soc president said something about it a few yrs ago but the Fox Saddle people did a remodel as they used it for making saddles back yrs ago." |
Museum | GhostDepot.com pics: p1 p2 entry back_s back_sw end_n end_s roof Rails Proj pics: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 Ted Van Klavern: p1 p2 p3 Me 6/07: pics |
Bridge 105-A | Lost Canyon, CO | Still standing, solid
The bridge is located on the private property - Rilla King's ranch. |
Abandoned | |
Bridge 107-A or 108-A | Lost Canyon, CO | Rotting bents, with a couple of stringers.
The bridge is located on the private property. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics (see descrip for bridge #s) |
Bridge 108-B | Lost Canyon, CO | Rotting bents, but in great shape.
The bridge is located on the private property. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics (see descrip for bridge #s) |
Bridge 108-C | Lost Canyon, CO | Rotting bents, but still in great shape.
The bridge is located on the private property. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics (see descrip for bridge #s) |
Bridge 108-D | Lost Canyon, CO | Rotting bents
The bridge is located on the private property. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics (see descrip for bridge #s) |
Bridge 109-A | Lost Canyon, CO | Rotting bents
The bridge is located on the private property. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics (see descrip for bridge #s) |
Bridge 111-B | Lost Canyon, CO | Rotting bents
The bridge is located on the private property. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics (see descrip for bridge #s) |
Bridge 111-C | Lost Canyon, CO | Rotting bents
The bridge is located on the private property. |
Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics (see descrip for bridge #s) |
Mancos Depot (freight house only) |
Mancos, CO | Unknown I've recently discovered what I thought was the Mancos depot freight house might - Google streetview is a fun way to explore; see the pictures. But, others tell me it's actually the old Mancos Forest Service office. There are rumors the frieght house porition did survive, and is located somewhere north of town, but I don't have any further information. The NG Discussion Forum had one picture a ways down in the thread, of the freight house, in 1976. |
Good | Google: pic1 pic2 RR adv: pic |
Mancos Section House Bunk House |
Mancos, CO (original location) |
Poor There are pictures of the bunk house in Vol. 8 of the RGS Story on pages 204 & 205. The GGHS provided a little additional commentary, noting the Mancos section house still remains (as of 2013) in a field just west of town, although it's in very bad shape. |
Abandoned(?) | |
Bridge 125-A | Menefee, CO | Rotting bents, but still in great shape.
My good friend Rod snapped this picture of 125-a during the summer of 2009. The bridge is still in pretty good shape, with some of the tin flashing still in place. |
Abandoned | Rod 2009: p1 |
East Mancos Water Tank |
East Mancos, CO | Poor Located on private property at Yoder Ranch (don't trespass!). The ranch is currently (10/08) for sale. The tank is standing, but it's leaning a little and in poor repair. It would be great if a way were found to stablize the tank before it collasped. Bridge 131-A was near this tank, and one of Nathan's many excellent photos shows some of the right-of-way near the bridge location, although nothing appears to be left of the bridge itself. |
Abandoned |
NGC: pic
Dave Aug 95: pic tank pg Mike Oct 08: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 p9 p10 p11 p12 p13 p14 p15 p16 p17 p18 p19 p20 p21 p22 p23 p24 p25 p26 p27 p28 p29 p30 p31 p32 Nathan's trip pics John H pic |
Hesperus Section House |
Hesperus, CO (original location) |
Good Ray Loose writes: The section house at Hesperus is the one that is still there. It is shown on page 188 of Vol. 9 RGS Story from Sundance. The picture also shows a "bunk house" but I beleive that is the section house that is still there. In the late 70s I drove a school bus and there was a Archuleta kid on the bus who's grandfather was Ed Archuleta former section foreman based out of Hesperus. He first called my attention to the building saying that was where his grandfather had lived. |
Residence | |
Ute Jct Coal pocket |
Ute Junction, CO | Gone - Torn down approx 1999 Ray Loose reports that the land owner, who is somewhat of a railfan, had the pocket torn down because he was afraid of someone getting hurt and then sueing. His driveway is on the old Ute Branch right-of-way coming from US 160. |
Gone | Ron '94: pics |
Franklin Jct Scale pit |
Franklin Junction, CO | Ray Loose reports that he found a scale pit on the Franklin branch, near the junction to the Triangle Mine.
Since there's a switch tie here, there must have been a switch leading to the scale track (or perhaps the
tie was from the gauntlet - used to switch cars running over the pit from the fixed rails to the weighed
rails?).
Photos: p1 is looking west; there's a switch tie in the foreground p2 is looking west toward the Triangle mine p3 is what's left of the scale pit p4 is looking east |
Rotting remains | Ray's photos: p1 p2 p3 p4 |
Bridge 162-B | Franklin Junction, CO | Robert Alford found and photographed the location of bridge 162-B. Engineer Ralph Peake was killed here on Sep 19th, 1919, when the trestle at Lightner Creek (outside Durango) gave way and D&RG #217 rolled into the flood-stage creek. The trestle was nearly covered with water, but Peake had stopped and inspected it before proceeding, and he thought the bridge was sound. His fireman, John Adams, swam to safety. | Rotting foundations | Rob's photos: p1 p2 |
Name | Location | Condition | Use | Pics |
---|---|---|---|---|
Haskill area ROW | near Brown, CO |
Good
The right-of-way just north of bridge 22-A, near what was the Green Mountain Ranch, is now a trail that runs along a ridge about 30' above the highway. |
Horse / hiking trail | Me 6/07: pics |
Placerville ROW | Placerville,CO | Good
What was once the roadbed is now the main highway through town. The ROW was very near the river at this location. |
Highway | NGC: pic |
Sawpit ROW | S of Placerville, CO | Good
The ROW wandered down along the river here. The Primos tramway terminal / ore bin is located here, and is visible from the highway. The bin was restored recently, and is easily accessed on a dirt road which is the ROW for some distance along the river here. |
Dirt road | Me 6/07: pics |
Vanadium ROW | Dirt road below the highway | Good
The ROW continues along the river here, on an easily-drivable dirt road. |
Dirt road | D Paulson- pic |
Windy Pt ROW | Ophir, CO | Rotting ties
This area has been graded and one can ride a bike/hike from near the junction of the Rico mainline and Telluride branch, all the way to Butterfly. They have constructed a bypass around the site of Ames trestle (43-A), that you can walk your bike down and around. The footings and pipe for the Ames tank are there, as well as some of the tank bands pushed off the side of the hill. |
Abandoned |
Ghost Depot:
p1
Me 6/07: pics |
Ames tank | Ames, CO | Abandoned
The ROW in this area is a footpath / bikepath today, and there's a bypass around the site of Ames trestle (43-A), that you can walk your bike down and around. The footings and pipe for the Ames tank are there, as well as some of the tank bands pushed off the side of the hill. Dave's maps cover this area as well, w/ photos. |
Bike path |
Dale Brown: path tank bands David Dye: area photos |
Bridge 43-A | Ames, CO | Random timbers
There's very little left of this bridge today, once 254' long and 80' high. It stood a long time after abandonment actually, until about 1977 when it collapsed during a wind storm. There's a couple photos from just before the collapse in my timeline entry for 1977, and a few more from 1973. |
Bike path |
David Dye: p1 p2 |
Low-line ROW | Ophir, CO | Abandoned
Dave has created a topographical map of the area, linked to a number of his photos. |
Dirt road |
Me 6/07: pics |
Highline ROW | Ophir, CO | Abandoned
Dave has created an amazing overlap areial map of the entire Ophir Loop, linked to numberous photos of bridge remains, etc. Hover your mouse over the yellow dots for a few moments, to see the photos. Dave has a larger-scale map of the RGS here. |
Dirt road |
Mario: p1 p2 p3 Ron 1990 or 2001: p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 Paul 2004, Me 6/07: pics |
Lizard Head ROW | Lizard Head, CO | Gone
From Brian, via the RGS Yahoo list: "Incidentally a friend of mine just returned from the area, and with proper instructions drove the grade from Trout Lake at the highway all the way around the lake, past the tank, past Trout Lake trestle, and up to Lizard Head. He said he wasn't sure where the road would come out until he came out on top and realized he had just driven the old grade up to the site of the snowshed and wye." Dave has created a great topographical map w/photos. |
Abandoned |
Dave: map & pics Rails Proj pics: p1 p2 Lizard Hd itself: p1 p2 |
Gallagher ROW | south of Lizard Head, CO | Abandoned
There were a couple of famous bridges here, part of a large S-curve, known as the Gallagher trestles. Rails Project has a couple of photos of what might be this area today. Dave has created a topographical map w/photos of the grade and area. |
Field |
Dave: map & pics Rails Proj pics: p3 p4 p5 |
Rico Yard ROW | Rico, CO | Abandoned
Here's a couple of photos of the Rico yard area, south of the still-standing water tank. This NG Discussion Forum thread a few pictures of the area in 1976. |
Dirt road |
Rails Proj pics: p1 p2 |
Glencoe ROW | Lost Canyon, CO | A long stretch of right-of-way exists in a somewhat untouched state, all on private property stretching from the old lumber town of Glencoe north. We hiked about 6.5 miles of this in June 2007. There's a few rotting ties, some telegraph poles, and a number of bridges. | Abandoned | Me 6/07: pics |
Mancos ROW | Mancos, CO | Abandoned
The right-of-way from Mancos hill to Cherry Creek is still visible as forest road 568. The ROW can be hiked east of Cherry Creek. Much of the grade between Mancos and Cima is still quite visible and/or drivable, but but be aware that most of the line is on private land once you are in Montezuma county. |
Dirt road | |
Gallagher bridges | East of Mancos, CO | Abandoned
The remains page of John Humphrey's site has some photos of the area where the ROW doubled back on itself over 3 large trestles. There's not much left, but John does have a few photos posted of the area. |
Abandoned | John H pics |
Millwood ROW | Millwood, CO | Dirt road John Humphrey has posted pictures of the ROW around MP 115 on his remains page. This was the lowest of the summits the RGS crossed, at 7652' feet, and there was a siding here, and several sawmills long ago. |
Abandoned | John H pics |
? bridge | East of Mancos, CO | Abandoned
Philip Walters reports that just east of Mancos, north of US 160 and just west of Echo Basin road is a small bridge that has no track or ties, but the rest of the timbers remain. These days it spans an irrigation ditch. The bridge is about a mile east of Mancos on the left side of the road, and is easy to see from the road. |
Abandoned | |
Grady ROW | East Mancos, CO | Dirt road John Humphrey has posted pictures of the ROW between MP 132 and 137, east of the East Mancos tank, on his remains page. This is the area of station stop Kane (formerly Dix), and several sawmills long ago. |
Abandoned | John H pics |
Porter area ROW |
near Hesperus, CO | Robert Alford has provided a couple of photos of the right-of-way near Porter
Photos: p1 -former location of Porter p2 -Porter area; just around bend you can see where bridge was |
Gone | Rob: p1 p2 |
Pine Ridge ROW | Pine Ridge, CO | Abandoned
Jerry Halbert has a couple of photos of the abandoned grade near Pine Ridge. Pic1 is looking toward Porter, and pic2 is a cattle guard on the old grade. |
Dirt road | Jerry: p1 p2 |
Track scales | Calumet branch / Perins Peak, CO | Pits, foundations
The pits from two scales on the 4.7mi Calumet branch (from Franklin Junction to Perins Peak) can still be seen. Tom Casper was exploring the area and found both. One was located near the junction to Triangle Coal Co, and the other near the mine at the peak. Dave has created a topographical map of the area, linked to a number of his photos. |
Pits | Dave: map & pics |
Starvation Creek bridge | s of Mancos, CO | Rotting Timbers
The timbers from the bridge near Starvation Creek (approx MP 137?) are still visible. |
Gone | |
Wildcat Canyon ROW | Durango, CO | Abandoned
It's not exactly a remains (yet), but Brian Bass has purchased 14.5 acres of land in Wildcat Canyon, about 3 miles outside of Durango; the land includes about 300-400 ft of RGS right-of-way. Brian plans to build relay track on the ROW and build a small cabin nearby, and renting it out most of the year. He's looking to see if folks would be interested in such rentals. You can contact him via Also, Robert Alford has provided a picture of the ROW in this area. |
Gone | Rob: p1 |
Franklin Jct area ROW |
Franklin Junction, CO | Robert Alford has provided a number of photos of the right-of-way near Franklin Jct.
Photos: p1 -ROW about 100 yards before reaching the twin buttes above Franklin Junction; this branch line takes off just before (east of) bridge 160-A (across Lightner Creek), and (?) went to the Triangle mine area. p2 -mine foundations above tracks (see The Southern A Narrow Gauge Odyssey, pg 7) |
Rotting remains | Rob's photos: p1 p2 |
The information on this page was gathered (and probably still is being gathered!) from personal research and a number of existing web sites (which I've rather freely linked to), email lists, and friends. Their work is is deeply appreciated.
In the tables above, I've linked to other sites for specific information or pictures for each item where possible. However, those sites often have a vast store of knowledge and information about the RGS, D&RGW, and other Colorado narrow gauge railroads, and I encourage you to explore those sites more fully.
My full list of RGS links is also available.
Here's a brief list:
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