This section lists books, videos and other references for the RGS and related topics (nearby or similar narrow
gauge railroads, area history, etc. Many of these items are out-of-print or otherwise hard-to-find, so to help
locate them (in case you'd like to own them yourself), I've included links to places where they can be found.
Categories include:
3 Days - 20 Bucks: A Nostalgic Look at the Rocky Mtn Railroad Club's Narrow Gauge Excursions, Memorial
Day Weekends 1954-1966:
Stan Rhine White River Productions, 2017, 1991, 112 pages (softcover), maps, diagrams, illustrations.
ISBN: 978-1932804218
Focused on the years after the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club excursions on the RGS, this still documents
some of the greatest trips over the Colorado narrow gauge lines remaining by 1954. A young Stan Rhine paid
his 20 bucks and joined these excurcions, along with other club members like Otto Perry, Richard Kindig,
Mac Poor and Bob Richardson, Dr. Rhine captured shots of both familiar and vanished locations on film.
For the first time in print, he tells the story of these start-of-summer weekend rail jaunts. He also
touches on some of the club's other narrow gauge excursions and, as a bonus, gives us the story of the
last narrow gauge passenger train movement from Alamosa.
Brand new!. Find this book at:
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[AmNG]American Narrow Gauge Railroads:
George Hilton, Standord University Press, 1991, 580 pages (hardcover), 56 maps, 382 photos & drawings.
ISBN: 0804717311 (hardcover) or 0804723699 (softcover).
An authorative reference on narrow gauge railroading, focusing on the economics and history of the gauge
as it developed in the U.S. Includes just a few pages on the RGS, but presents a very thorough overview of
how and why narrow gauge railroads were built (instead of standard gauge), and why most no longer exist.
A very interesting read. Still in print and easy to find. Find this book at:
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Around the Circle in 1892: A Thousand Miles by Rail Through the Rocky Mountains:
William Jones, S.K. Hooper, 1978, 56 pages (softcover), 32 illustrations. ISBN 0896460495.
A passenger agent’s recommended tour of Colorado mountains with history of sites and scenes. Find this book at:
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Beyond the Third Rail: With Monte Ballough and His Camera:
Doris Osterwald, Western Guideways, 1994, Lakewood, CO, 216 pages (hardcover). 200 photos. ISBN 0931788404.
This volume covers both D&RG and the RGS. The author moved to Rico in the 1890s, and left this collection of
photos dating from 1898 to 1922. Besides numerous railroad photos, there are also photos of Indian portraits,
San Juan scenery, Indian ruins, and the towns of Rico, Dunton, Chama and Durango. A entire chapter is devoted
to wrecks on the narrow gauge, with 90 photos in that chapter alone. Find this book at:
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Bob Richardson's Rio Grande - Chasing the Narrow Gauge, v1:
Robert Richardson, Heimburger House, 2002, Forest Park, IL, 200 pgs, hardcover. b&w photos.
This is the first of 3 books covering the 'Narrow Gauge Circle' offering Bob Richardson's insight,
tales and pictures of the Narrow gauge as he saw it from his vantage point in Alamosa, and later from Golden,
Colorado. This volume primarily covers Alamosa to Durango with a little coverage of the Chili Line. 200 pages
of b&w photos and text fill this oversized work. First Edition, published by Heimburger House. Find this book at:
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Bob Richardson's Rio Grande - Chasing the Narrow Gauge, v2:
Robert Richardson, Heimburger House, 2005, Forest Park, IL, 208 pgs, hardcover. b&w photos.
This is the second of 3 books covering the 'Narrow Gauge Circle' offering Bob Richardson's wit and insight.
This one focuses on the Silverton and Farmington branches of the D&RG, and the 3rd division between Salida,
Gunnison and Montrose, and also the valley line between Alamosa and Mears Junction.
208 pages of b&w photos and text fill this oversized work. First Edition, published by Heimburger House. Find this book at:
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Colorado Memories of the Narrow Gauge Circle:
John Krause and Ross Grenard, 1986, Carstens Publications, ?, ?, 130 pages (softcover). ISBN 0911868356
Lots of photographs and text describing the operation of the D&RG and RGS railroads. Still easy to find at
Amazon, Alibris and elsewhere. Find this book at:
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Colorado Railroads and the Colorado Railroad Museum:
Corneluis W. Hauck (editor) 1989, 63 pages, 50 photos (softcover) ISBN 0918654416.
The story of the origins of the famous Colorado Railroad Museum
and a complete roster of its equipment (as of 1989). Also includes an overview of of Colorado railroad
development from 1867 thru today. Inexpensive and easy to find. Find this book at:
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John Norwood's Railroads:
John Norwood, 1995, Jan 1996, Hairnburger House Publishing Co, ?, ?, 192 pages. (hardcover)
228 b&w photos, 12 color photos. ISBN 0911581316
John was a general manager and assistant to the president of the Rio Grande, and in this book he tells
his own stories and memories of a number of railroads from the 1940s thru 1960s, both std-gauge and narrow-
gauge, including the RGS. A way to relive the railroad scene of those times. Includes details about the
RGS, C&S, White Pass & Yukon, Uintah, DSP&P, D&RGW (sg), GM&O, UP, SF, KCS, RI, Firsco, CB&Q and NP.
Find this book at:
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Little Engines and Big Men:
Gilbert Lathrop, 1955, The Caxton Printers Ltd, 339 pages. (hardcover)
A books is filled with stories of the author's father and uncle, who together built and/or worked on
nearly every aspect of Colorado's narrow gauge railroads, from its earliest days when locomotives were
wood-fired and modern airbrakes didn't yet exist. Kinda hard to find.
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Mixed Train Daily:
Lucius Beebe, Howell-North Books, Berkley, CA 1947 (4th ed), 368 pages (hardcover). About 300 b&w photos, 6
color plates. Illustrated by C.M. Clegg. Great actions shots of steam and diesel short lines. Also six
illustrations by artist, Howard Fogg.
A very nostalgic and well written account of many of the small and out of the way rural railroads that
included both freight and passenger cars in their consists. There are several well-written pages on the RGS
with a few photos, notably one of a brakeman throwing a switch.
Find this book at:
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Narrow Gauge in the Rockies:
Lucius Beebe, Charles Clegg, Howell-North Books, Berkley, CA, 1964, 224 pages (harcover).
About 250 b&w photos, and a few color illustrations.
This is a good book, offering an overall history of the D&RG, RGS, C&S and other Colorado narrow gauge
railroads, and written in Beebe's and Clegg's colorful, unique style. It's an interesting read, and has a
suprising amount of detail for each railroad. A good overview of NG railroading in Colorado. Out of print,
but not hard to find. Also available in softcover. Find this book at:
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Narrow Gauge Country:
Richard Lind, (self published), 1st (only) edition, 1963, 132 pgs (softcover). Lots of b&w photos, one map.
Created in an 11" x 14" folio format, this is a landmark collection of photos from 1945+, from the D&RGW and
RGS. Quite rare these days.
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Narrow Gauge Land:
James Eakin (editor), 1983, Railhead Publications, Canton, OH, 136 pages (hardcover), ISBN 0912113030.
B&W photos (reprints, negatives unavailable).
A reproduction of many photos from Richard Lind's Narrow Gauge Country, published in 1963 (see above).
Includes many b&w photos from the late 1940s thru the early 1960s, of the D&RG and RGS, including a large
number from Bob Richardson.
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[NgNews]Narrow Gauge News:
Robert Richardson, Ted Rose. Colorado RR Museum, 1994, 303 pages, 170 photos, 190 illustrations, 6 paintings
(hardcover). ISBN 0-918654-21-1.
Richardson published "Narrow Gauge News" from 1948 to 1958, a time when many of Colorado's narrow gauge
railroads were being abandoned, including the RGS. The photos and text of this book are collected from
those many newsletters. This is a wonderful, first-hand account of the abadonment hearings, goings-on,
and other activities of the world of Colorado narrow gauge in the 1950s, and it's fascinating reading. Find this book at:
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On the Three Foot Gauge:
Edgar Thorn Mead, 1991, Weedy Rail Books, 103 pages. (softcover)
Covers the Rio Grande Southern, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Isle of Man Railway, Donegal railways, Colombia
railways, Argent Lumber, United of Yucatan, and East Broad Top. Out of print, but fairly easy to find.
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Otto Mears - His Life and Times (w/Notes on the Alread Packer Case)
Ervan Kushner, 1979, Jende-Hagan Bookgroup, Platte N'Press, Frederick, CO, 99 pages (softcover) Find this book at:
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Otto Perry - Catalogue of the Otto C Perry Memorial Collection of RR Photographs
Volume 1- A through P, 1977; Vol. 2 O thru Z, 1980,
Denver Public Library, Western History Dept, Denver, CO. (softcover)
These are each 8.5 x 11" by 1" thick, and contain very useful references for Otto's many photographs of
the RGS and other railroads. Sold by the Library; otherwise pretty hard to find. Find this book at:
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Otto Perry's Railroad Pilgrimage:
1981, Sundance Publications, 164 pages (oversize hardcover, 16"x11").
This book features photo postcards from private collectors, David S. Digerness, Richard A. Ronzio, Elmore
Frederick, Morris W. Abbott, Wm. R. Jones, and Dell A. McCoy. Find this book at:
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[Orange]Rails Through Orange Groves - vol 2:
Stephen E. Donaldson, William A. Myers, 1990, TAB, Glendale CA, --- pages.
Suprisingly, this covers some of the history of narrow gauge equipment at Knott's Berry Farm, including the
RGS equipment when they purchased back in 1951. Seems to be rather rare. Find this book at:
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The Rainbow Route:
Robert Sloan, 1975, Sundance Publications, 416 pages, 400 illustrations/photos, 60 color photos. (hardcover)
ISBN 0913582123.
The definitive history of the three NG lines running north out of Silverton. As with every Sundance book
I've ever seen, it's filled with massive amounts of history and photos. Covers Otto Mears' Silverton,
Silverton Northern, Silverton Gladstone & Northerly railroads. Now out of print, but still pretty easy to
find. Find this book at:
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The Remarkable Passes of Otto Mears:
William Strong, 1988, San Juan Book, Silverton, CO, 34 pages (softcover). ISBN 0-9608000-6-9. B&W photos.
Covers all of the unique passes Otto Mears created for the Silverton and Rio Grande Southern railroads.
These were buckskin, silver and finally gold. The book includes the names of some of the folks who received
the passes, and other historical information. Find this book at:
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Requiem for the Narrow Gauge:
Ross Grenard, 1985, Railhead Publications, Canton, OH, 125 pages (softcover). ISBN 0-9121131-2-X. 175 photos.
Covers the Rio Grande Western, D&RG, and the Colorado RR Museum. Haven't gotten ahold of this yet, so I can't
say exactly what's in it, although I have heard it's a remembrance of the Alomosa Division... during it's last
years of existence. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?
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Thirty Pound Rails:
Kelly Choda, 1999, Filter Press, Palmer Lake, CO, 46 pages (hardcover). ISBN 910584-01-X Find this book at:
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Train to Yesterday - Narrow Gauge Railroading in Southwest Colorado:
Thomas Tabor, 1961, Railroadians of America, Morristown Duplicating Srv, Morrisville, NJ, 16 pages (softcover).
Find this book at:
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Three Little Lines:
Josie Moore Crum, 1960, Durango-Herald News, Durango, CO, 71 pages, fold-out map. (softcover)
A quick history of the three NG lines running north out of Silverton.
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Twilight on the Narrow Gauge:
Frederick Kramer, 1976, Quadrant Press, New York, NY, 65 pages (softcover). ISBN 0-915276-14-3. Find this book at:
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The Colorado Pass Book: A Guide to Colorado's Backroad Mountain Passes:
Don Koch, 1987, Pruett Publishing, 3rd ed, 162 pages, photos (softcover). ISBN ISBN: 0871088274.
A comprehensive guide to Colorado's backroad mountain passes roads, containing historical narratives,
photographs, 4-wheeling tips (including a section on GPS navigation). The book groups the passed by
geographic area, but reviews each pass independently, and includes the location, starting point, points
of interest, difficulty, access level (4-wheel, normal car, hiking, etc), side trails, historical
background, as well as his personal experiences on the pass. Orientation information, directions,
terrain descriptions, and Forest Service contacts are also included - a very comprehensive book.
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Colorado Traveler: Ghost Town Remnants of Colorado's Mining Days:
Carolyn Bowron, 1987, Renaissance House Publishing, -- pages (softcover).
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Ghosts of the Western San Juans - A Guide to Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of Ouray, San Juan & Hinsdale
Counties, Colorado:
John Aldrich, 1991, Centennial Graphics, 64 pages (softcover, revised). ISBN 1-8834251-3-1.
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Ghosts of the Western San Juans (vol 2) - A Guide to Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of San Miguel, La
Plata and Dolores Counties, Colorado:
John Aldrich, 1997, Centennial Graphics, 64 pages (softcover, revised). ISBN 1-8834251-4-X.
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Ghost Towns of Colorado: Your Guide to Colorado's Historic Mining Camps and Ghost Towns
(Pictorial Discovery Guide): Philip Varney, John Drew, Voyageur Press, 1999, 160 pages (available in both
soft- and hard-cover). ISBN 0896584186.
An engaging, anecdotal, yet historical guidebook to the ghost towns and former mining camps of Colorado.
Covers more than 90 towns and sites--from Cripple Creek to Leadville; from Silverton to Georgetown and Crested
Butte--capturing the spirit of what was once the wild west by combining both captivating exterior photos and
eerie interior shots with lively, descriptive text. Amazon reviews state it's the best ghost town guide-book
they've seen.
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Jeep Trails to Colorado Ghost Towns:
Robert L. Brown, 1963, Caxton Press, 245 pages, 105 photos (softcover). ISBN: 0870040219.
A detailed history of 50 mining towns made famous during Colorado's gold & silver mining booms of the 1800s,
with directions on how to find them. However, it is nearly 40 years old, and may be somewhat out-of-date.
Check the reviews at Amazon
for more detailed reviews - apparently it's still a pretty decent guide, even though it is old.
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The Mining Camps Speak: A New Way to Explore the Ghost Towns of the American West:
Beth and Bill Sagstetter, 1998, Benchmark Publishing of CO, softcover, 283 pages, hundreds of b&w photos.
ISBN 0964582414.
Ever visited an old mining camp, with 'nothing left' and been kinda disappointed? This book seems rather
unique in that it describes how to 'sleuth' around the site and intrepret the remains. One reader who posted
at Amazon
was moved by the author's section on dating tin cans, for example. I haven't read this yet, but it sounds
pretty interesting. Find this book at:
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Railfanning the RGS:
Richard Hunter, 1989, (self-published) Aurora, CO, 15 pages (softcover). Find this book at:
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Southern Colorado 4-Wheeling, The San Juans:
### Wayne Griffen, Warren Ohlrich, 1998, WHO Press, 80 pages.
Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, and Lake City were the hubs of a network of mining towns and supply routes
between the mines and ore mills in the late 1800s. They now serve as hubs to explore some of the most
spectacular scenery in Colorado, if not in the entire U.S. This guide gives descriptions and directions for 25
of the most popular 4-wheel drive routes in the San Juans. All routes are rated for difficulty. Also included
are backcountry 4-wheeling ethics and rules of the road, maps and photos, recommendations for route
variations, and a brief history of the San Juans and major mining towns. Find this book at:
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[Ghost]Timberline Tailings: Tales of Colorado's Ghost Towns and Mining
Camps:
Muriel Sibell Wolle, 1993, The Swallow Press, Chicago,IL, 349 pages (softbound). ISBN 0-8040096-3-5.
A collection of letters and interviews of the hardy men and women who met the challenges of the gold and
silver mining camps of Colorado with stamina, ingenuity, and a keen love of life. A reprint of the 1977
book by Sage Books. Find this book at:
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[Ghost]Tracking Ghost Railroads in Colorado:
Robert Ormes. Century One Press, ?, 164 pages (softbound). Photos. Find this book at:
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Camp Bird and the Revenue:
Jakc Neham, 1980, Bear Creek Publishing, Ouray, CO, --- pages (softcover). ISBN 0941026043. Find this book at:
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Durango: Always a Railroad Town:
Richard L Dorman, 1987, RD Publications, Sante Fe, NM, 1st edition, 184 pages.
B&W photos, color art
A wonderful resource of photos from Durango, showing many views of Durango structures, servicing facilities,
and the locomotives and Geese using those facilities. There's good coverage of some of the lines running out
from Durango as well: The RGS line as far as Porter is well-covered, and there's lots of photos of the entire
Silverton branch. Decent coverage of the line to Chama as well. I understand there is a second edition with
224 pages. First edition is out of print but not too hard to find. Second edition is still easy to find.
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Durango Diary:
Duane Smith, 1996 (1st ed), Durango Herald Small Press, --- pages.
Find this book at:
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[Emp]An Empire of Silver:
Robert Brown, 1984, Sundance Books, Denver, CO, 224 pages.
A very thorough history of the San Juans, focusing on the silver mining industry. Many
photos, including old B&W and current color photos of the same locations today (well,
1984 or so). I'm sure it's out-of-print, but still quite easy to find. Find this book at:
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Images of the San Juans : Historical Selections from the Ruth & Marvin Gregory Photograph Collection:
P. David Smith, Marvin & Ruth Gregory, 1997, Western Reflections Inc, 288 pages, 250+ photos.
In Images of the San Juans noted Ouray historian P. David Smith pays tribute to two well-known Ouray
historians, Ruth and Marvin Gregory. Ruth Gregory (Marvin is now deceased) and P. David Smith have reviewed
literally thousands of prints, glass plates and negatives from the Gregory's extensive photograph
collection. A selection of over 250 superb images devoted to key events and themes in the history of the
San Juans had been included in this book - many having never been published before.
Find this book at:
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Mining The Hard Rock:
John Marshall. 1st ed, Simpler Way Book Co, 19--, 216 pages.
A look into the mining history of the San Juan area of Colorado, as well as the stories
and lives of the people doing the mining and their families. Find this book at:
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Mountains of Silver: Life in Colorado's Red Mountain Mining District:
P. David Smith, 2000, Western Reflections Publishing, 240 pages, 100+ b&w photos, maps, index, bibliography.
The story of everyday life of those who experienced the mining boom and bust of Colorado's Red Mountain
mining district (near Ouray).
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My Life as I Remember It:
Antonio J Sagrillo, privately printed only, 327 pages(?), no photos.
The recollections of a fireman on RGS, who was under age for two years until 1910. He was a logger, sawmill
man, MM of NML Co. This work was never published, and it's found only in private collections, and libraries
around Dolores. I'll put the search links for it here anyway, just in case.
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Ouray - A Quick History:
P. David Smith, 1996 (2nd ed), Western Reflections Inc, 96 pages.
A fascinating tale of the boom and bust cycles of Colorado's mining towns. Silver brought miners to the
area, but gold kept Ouray alive after the Silver Crash in 1893.
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A Quick History of Lake City:
Margaret Bates, 1973, Little London Press, Colorado Springs, CO, 96 pages.
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Rocky Mountain Boom Town: A History of Durango, Colorado:
Duane Smith, 1992 (reprint), University Press of Colorado, 218 pages, b&w photos. ISBN 0870812572. .
This book covers some of the history and spirit of Durango.
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Silverton Country - A Historical Sketch (Durango-Silverton Guidebook):
Ian Thompson, 1980, Four Corners Geological Soc, --- pages
Snowflakes and Quartz - Stories of the Early Days in the San Juan Mtns:
Louis Wyman, 1993, Simpler Way Book Co, Durango CO, 2nd edition (softcover), ISBN 0-9632028-1-2, 133 pages,
about 50 photos.
This is Wyman's collection of about 40 short stories of life in Silverton Colorado in the early 1900s. He
writes of what it was like to travel in the first automobile in town, to work in the mines, and much more.
His stories also cover a period of decline for Silverton. Easy to find, a great review at
priced.
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Song of Hammer and Drill: The Colorado San Juan, 1860-1914:
Duane Smith, 2000, ?, 300 pages.
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Southwestern Cowbelle's Picture Roundup - A Historical Photographic Collection of the Livestock
and Affliated Industries - Past and Present:
Southern Cowbelle's History Committee, !1981, -, 100 pages, soft bound.
This interesting publication covers many apsects of the Dolores and surrounding areas, including McPhee,
Rico, sawmills, railroads, industry, bridges, people, oilfields, etc. It apparently has a few caption
errors. The same group puts out a small calednar each year w/old photos, usually including one of the
area's railroads. Rilla E. King (of Dolores) is on the committee and may still have copies available;
she did in 1997, anyway. Contact info: Rilla King at PO Box 186 Dolores 81323-0186. Send a letter
with a return post card. Find this book at:
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That Pellet Woman:
Betty Pellet, w/Alexander Klein, 1965, Stein & Day, 379 pages. B&W Photographs.
A thoroughly enjoyable autobiography of a fiesty woman who went from being a turn-of-the-century Broadway
actress to a cutting-edge figure in Colorado politics. Includes some interesting accounts of her early trips
over the RGS as part of a move to Rico, as well as the story of her efforts to save the RGS during the 1930s.
Easy to find, very reasonably priced.
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[Tell]Telluride: From Pick to Powder:
Richard and Suzanne Fetter, 1990, Caxton Printers, Ltd, Caldwell, ID, 196 pages. ISBN 0-87004-265-3.
B&W photos. A thoughtful history of Telluride, focusing on it's origins and mining days. Quite easy
to find, and fairly inexpensive. Find this book at:
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[Rway]The Town That Refused to Die. Ridgway, CO:
Doris Gregory, 1991, Cascade Publications, Ouray, CO, 196 pages.
I found this referenced on a web site created by the town of Ridgway; it is a history of the town of Ridgway.
Available at Valley Books, and also from the
Ouray Museum/Ouray County Historical Society. Contact Ann Hoffman, P.O. Box 151, Ouray, CO 81427-0151, or
email them at ochs@frontier.net. Cost from the museum is about $17 plus
shipping. Find this book at:
AmazonAlibriseBayOuray MuseumValley Books
A Century + Ten of D&RGW Narrow Gauge Freight Cars, 1871 to 1981:
Robert E. Sloan, 2000, 2008, self-published, 304 pgs.
A hard-to-find but (apparently) very detailed survey of the various freight cars used on the D&RG over it's
110-year-history. You can find some of the information from this book on this
website. The second edition (2008) adds dozens of
additional photos and drawings, more tables of car information, better paper used for printing, and much more.
Tim Mulina writes that this is THE book for those interested in modeling the D&RGW narrow gauge freight
equipment from 1871-1981. It is vastly different from the first edition with every chapter except the first
having had major reworking done on it or even in some cases entire class info or chapters totally replaced.
Most of the major manufacturers in every scale that produce DRGW equipment are using this book as a point of
reference.
There is also an autobiography of Mr.
Sloan available online, which includes a
complete biography of much (if not everything) that he's written.
Find this book at:
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Colorado's Mountain Railroads - Vol 2:
Robert LeMassena, 1965, Smoking Stack Press, Golden, CO, 100+ pages (softcover). ISBN 63-23230 Find this book at:
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Cumbres & Toltec: A Photographic Tribute to America's Most Spectacular Scenic Railway:
Sam Furukawa, June 2007, NG Preservation Foundation, 176 pgs (hardcover). Includes 237 photos. This book
is the result of Sam's longtime fascination with the C&TS; it covers the line from Antonito to Chama, chasing
regular operations and special trains. The magnificent scenery is highlighted in a series of spectacular
pictures shot from a helicopter during the color peak of the 2006 fall foliage season.
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D&RGW: Durango to Alamosa and Salida:
Richard L Dorman and Bob Hayden, 2005, RD Publications, Sante Fe, NM, 1st edition, --- pgs.
--- photos.
Lots of photos, nicely reproduced as always w/Dick's books. Includes a John Coker painting of K-36 #489 out
of a tunnel on the Toltec Gorge. Many photos of not-usually-photographed areas along this line.
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D&RGW: Rebel of the Rockies:
Robert Athearn, 1977, Unveristy of Nebraska Press, NB, 412 pages (softcover). ISBN 0-803258-61-5.
Part of the Yale Western Americana Series (this is vol 2), but first published in 1962 by Yale Unversity
Press (Library of Congress # 62-16560). Professor Athearn was (apparently) given free reign to investigate
the workings and history of the D&RG, and obviously learned a lot about the railroad. Much of that knowledge
is discussed here, including a focus on the legal issues that shaped the railroad, with lots of court
documentation and testimonty. It also discuses how the railroad operated (for better or worse - it went
into and then out of bankruptcy, twice!). It does communicate the poineering spirit that created the railroad,
and helped the narrow gauge portion survive into the 1960s.
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George Beam and the Denver & Rio Grande, vol 2:
Jackson Thode, 1986, Sundance Publications, 280 pages, 275 photos (hardcover), ISBN 0913582425.
The info I have is for volume 2. However, I'm not sure which volume goes w/the ISBN number I've listed here.
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Gould Railroad Lines: Their Condition and Earning Capacity:
Charles Speare, 1908, Mail & Express, New York, NY, 3rd edition, 43 pages (softcover). Find this book at:
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[Mud]Narrow Gauge Pictorial: Mudhens:
Dennis O'Berry, 1995, R. Robb, 160 pages. B&W photos. (Mudhens refer to K-27 locomotives,
including RGS #455 and #461). This is a probably THE reference work on K-27s, including
many technical details on this class of locomotive. Seemingly rather hard to find. Find this book at:
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Narrow Gauge Silverton Train - The D&RGW:
Jack Douglas, 1972, Douglas Models, Paragon Press, Salt Lake City, UT, 40+ pages (softcover) Find this book at:
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Rio Grande Narrow Gauge in the Summer of 1941:
John Maxwell and Charles Small, 1986, Railhead Publications, Canton, OH, 124 pages. ISBN 0-012113-27-8
(softcover) Find this book at:
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Trails Among the Columbine: a Colorado High Country Anthology:
Russ Collman (editor), 1988, Colorado Railroad Museum (hardcover), Golden, CO, 232 pages.
Russ Collman (editor), 1988, Sundance Publications Ltd (hardcover), Denver, CO, 192 pages. Isbn 0913582441.
Includes many illustrations and both b&w and color photos. The text includes sections on the Creede Branch,
Lake City Colorado, wildlife of the area, pioneers and inhabitants of the region, etc. The article D&RG's
Lake City Branch" includes some discussion of the San Cristobal goose, created by the San Christobal RR,
which purchased the Lake City branch in the early 1930s.
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Silverton - A Trip to Yesterday:
J.A. Stowe, 1967, Illini Railroad Club, Champaign, IL, 20 pages (softcover) Find this book at:
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Silverton Train:
Louie Hunt, 1955, Louie Hunt Leucadia, Coast Dispatch, Encitas, CA, 72 pages (hardcover). Find this book at:
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Ticket to Silverton:
Ed & Grenard Crist, Ross B, John Drause, 1988, Associated Artists of Dixie, Rockville Centre, NY, 49 pages.
(softcover) Find this book at:
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Thunder of Their Passing:
Robert Turner, 2003, Sono Nis Press, Winlaw BC, Canada, 288 pgs. Over 500 photos (color and b&w) and
illustrations (hard- and softcover). ISBN 1-55039-130-5.
A moving tribute to the D&RG narrow gauge and the Cumbres & Toltec railroad, this book covers the story of
the C&TS from its origins as the D&RG's San Juan Extension in the 1880s silver mining boom, to its present-day
touriest operation. Includes stories from railroad employees, travelers, and local residents, as well as the
railroad's impact on the region, the circumstances and struggles that led to its long life and its eventual
preservation. Stories of winter operations, stock trains, snowplows, the classic San Juan passenger train,
locomotives and special equipment, and the day-to-day operations are all included. Photos include those from
William Henry Jackson, Richard Kindig, Jim Shaughnessy, Richard Steinheimer, John Gruber, Steve Patterson, and
many others. Brand new, easy to find.
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Related Books - Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR
Cinders & Smoke Mile by Mile Guide to Durango and Silverton NG RR:
Doris B. Osterwald, 1998 (7th edition), Western Guideways, 168 pages.
OK, it's not RGS, but it's still a nice little book giving lots of details and history
about the Silverton branch of the D&RG, and the current operations of the D&S NG RR. Lots
of photos (most b&w), lots of history, and good photos and details of locos, cars, etc.
Find this book at:
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Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge RR (An American Classic):
The Photographic Celebration of a Uniquely American Railroad
Robert T. Royem, 1995, Limelight Press, 152 pages. ISBN 0-9643430-0-2
To quote the reviewer at Amazon: "If you're interested in the captivating images and the
historical significance that the San Juan Mountains have to offer, or just interested in
photos documenting the painstaking craftsmanship that went into the making of this
countries early iron horses, then this is the book for you." Find this book at:
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Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge: A Quick History:
Duane Smith, 1998, Western Reflections Inc, 106 pages (softcover). ISBN 1-889-45912-7.
A history of the construction and ongoing life of the Silverton branch of the D&RG.
Although I haven't read it, this seems like good historical coverage of the line and
a good intro to more of the mining and railroading history of the San Juans, at a
great price. Find this book at:
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Durango to Silverton by Narrow Gauge Rails:
Spencer Crump, 1990, Zeta Publishers, 80 pages. ISBN 0-9183761-0-6 Find this book at:
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The Narrow Gauge Lines (Durango-Silverton Guidebook):
Kenneth Carter, 1964, Four Corners Geological Soc., --- pages. Find this book at:
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Narrow Gauge Railroading:
Ian Thompson, 1984, William & Merrie Winkler, Cortez, CO, 23 pages (softcover) (color photos).
The story of the Durango and Silverton railroad. Find this book at:
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Narrow Gauge to Silverton:
John Hungerford, 1955, Hungerford Press, 36 pages (softcover). Find this book at:
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American Steam: Colorado Narrow Gauge:
American Steam, 1998, ? mins. Color.
Don't have many details about this video, although it looks good and the price is
certainly right. Find this video at:
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Colorado's Narrow Gauge Railroads:
From the box's description: Ride some of the world's most spectacular railroads and
learn of Narrow Gauge railroading's colorful past. Experience trips aboard four famous
Narrow Gauge lines and visit the Colorado Train Museum. Find this video at:
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Denver & Rio Grande Western:
Not RGS-specific, but a great movie none the less, featuring an epic battle between two
railroad companies competing to be the first to finish track-laying. Needless to say, there be
hostile varmints and natural disasters along the way trying to keep this from happening. Worth
watching for the incredible train crash at the end (filmed on the Silverton branch, and actually
destroying two locomotives). Find this video at:
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Forties Memories:
WB Video, 19--, ? mins.
Includes standard gauge action on the NMRA specials, narrow gauge D&RGW, and som black
& white of the RGS.
Find this video at:
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Modeling DVDs:
There are a number of general modeling DVDs being produced today, often with extremely practical and useful
information on trees, rocks, weathering, etc - see this site for some of those available, or use the links below. There's also a lot of great video on YouTube - some searches will
pull up dozens of options there as well.
Find these videos at:
Weathering -eBayStructures -eBayScenery -eBay
C&TS - 1995 Rio Grande Freight Train:
Green Frog Productions, 1995, 60 mins, color.
Follow Rio Grande K-27 and an authentic D&RGW freight through the mountains and prairies of the Rockies.
The line transverses the territory from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito and return. Many runbys in remote
locations mostly only accessible by train. Shows what a NG frieght might've looked like in the 30's or
40's. Find this video at:
eBayGreenfrog
C&TS - 1997 Rio Grande M.O.W. Train:
Green Frog Productions, 1997, 60 mins, color.
Rio Grande Derrick OP is featured in video, along with authentic maintenance of way cars and caboose. The
train is pulled by K-27 #463, and follows the train from Chama to Antonito and return, including beautiful
scenes throughout the line - both tunnels, Toltec Gorge, water stops, and more. Find this video at:
eBayGreenfrog
Ghost Train RGS #455 Returns from the Past:
? Productions, 19--, 70 mins, color.
The C&TS owns and recently restored K-27 #463, one of only two remaining K-27s in the country (the other is
#464, at the Huckleberry RR in Flint,
MI). #463 was built in 1903 for the D&RGW and was often used on the RGS. This video documents the 2-year
restoration of the locomotive, from a derelict hulk to a critical resource on the C&TS. Find this video at:
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50s Memories of the Rio Grande:
Green Frog Productions, 19--, 50 mins, mostly color.
Using film from E. Macdougall "Mac" Palmer, this video follows the D&RG narrow gauge in the 1950s. It
includes footage from Alamosa to Durango, Chama to Alamosa, Gunnison through the Black Canyon (with the
bumble-bee number 268), then on to Marshall Pass w/the scrap train. Also includes a visit to Monarch Pass
and some rare scenes of the Limestone operations, then to Salida, and finally a trip from Durango down the
Farmington branch all the way to Farmington where we’ll catch one of the Rio Grande Mikes switching
industries in Farmington. Hosted and Narrated by Mallory Hope Ferrell. Find this video at:
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Related Videos - Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge RR:
Pentrix, 19xx, 60 min, color.
Three years in the making, this video covers the D&S's Mikados working the line. It includes some rare
winter excursion scenes, plus scenes in the yards and service areas. Find this video at:
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Durango and Silverton Railfest 2000:
Machines of Iron, Aug 2000, 60 min, color.
Covers Railfest 2000 in Durango, with scenes of numerous pieces of equipment operating over the Silverton line.
D&S #486 is newly restored and out on its first runs this year, RGS Geese 1, 2 and 5 are all present, and the
restored 1875 Eureka and Palisade steam Locomotive runs as well. I haven't seen this video, but David Dye
took some photos of that year's
Railfest, so you can get an idea of what the video probably includes. Which I had been there! Find this video at:
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Ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge RR:
?, 19xx, 25 min, color.
Follow six of the D&RGs famous Mikados over the 45 miles between Durango and Silverton, covering the rugged
canyons and famous highline and other sites along the route. Find this video at:
AmazoneBayCRRM
Race to Gunnison:
Russy Baby Productions, 200?.
"Race To Gunnison" is the story about the forming of the Denver, South Park, & Pacific and the Denver &
Rio Grande Railroads, and the race between them to reach Gunnison, Colorado. Step back in time and see
photos and film footage of the battle for the right-of-ways to the Colorado mining boom and the Pacific Ocean.
Find this video at:
eBayRB Productions
Gunnison City:
Russy Baby Productions, 200?.
The second film of a ten film series about the narrow gauge railroad operations of the Gunnison, Colorado
area. This film covers the City of Gunnison, Colorado. Come see how Gunnison became to be, why it was so
important to the railroads, lay-out of the two railyards, and history, photos, and interwiews from folks who
lived trought this golden age.
Find this video at:
eBayRB Productions
3 Days - 20 Bucks: A Nostalgic Look at the Rocky Mtn Railroad Club's Narrow Gauge Excursions, Memorial
Day Weekends 1954-1966:
Stan Rhine White River Productions, 2017, 1991, 112 pages (softcover), maps, diagrams, illustrations.
ISBN: 978-1932804218
Focused on the years after the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club excursions on the RGS, this still documents
some of the greatest trips over the Colorado narrow gauge lines remaining by 1954. A young Stan Rhine paid
his 20 bucks and joined these excurcions, along with other club members like Otto Perry, Richard Kindig,
Mac Poor and Bob Richardson, Dr. Rhine captured shots of both familiar and vanished locations on film.
For the first time in print, he tells the story of these start-of-summer weekend rail jaunts. He also
touches on some of the club's other narrow gauge excursions and, as a bonus, gives us the story of the
last narrow gauge passenger train movement from Alamosa.
Brand new!.
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