RGS Remains RGSrr.com - Rio Grande Southern RR

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

Galloping Geese (RGS Motors)

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. Jun 2012: Restoration is complete! Goose #4 is fully restored, and running on her own power for the first time in 60+ years. She's making her debut in grand style, at the Colorado RR Museum's GooseFest - a gathering of nearly all the RGS Geese. This is truly RGS history - all SEVEN geese are running again! There's some pictures at the NG Discussion Forum. There's also video of her backing off the truck at the museum, under her own power. So cool!	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

Rolling Stock, etc

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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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

Bridges, Structures, Tanks

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.

Right-of-Way

Credits & thanks

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:

• Colorado RR Museum
• Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
• D&RGW.net
• Narrow Gauge Circle
• RGS Technical Page
• Ridgway Railway Museum