March 12 meeting at Barnes Hall --- |
Bill Jones will present “Colorado’s Classic Consolidations”
focusing on the origins, development and evolution of the Denver &
Rio Grande’s most numerous narrow-gauge locomotive type.
Initially, the D&RG used tiny 2-4-0, 2-6-0 and 4-4-0s on the
easy grades south of Denver. When the rails turned west into the
mountains a heavier, more powerful locomotive was required.
Baldwin had perfected the 2-8-0 wheel arrangement in 1866 for
steep grades and this “Consolidation” type was first delivered in 1877.
Over the next five years, 152 2-8-0 locomotives were constructed
with 124 built by Baldwin and 28 built by Grant. Most of the
initial group were Class 56, having 56,000 lbs weight on the drivers,
followed by Class 60 with 59,300 lbs and Class 70 with 64,000 pounds. Most
of the original Class 56 engines were sold or scrapped in the early
1900’s. When the modern Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad
was created in 1923, 63 of the now 40 year old Class 60 and 70
locomotives were still on the roster (plus 13 on the Rio Grande
Southern) for a total of 76 serviceable out of 99 constructed! But
with the advent of modern 2-8-2 power in the 1920’s most of these would
soon be retired and scrapped, save for a few used for light rail branch
line service. Of the Class 60 only three survive today -- Grant
223 and Baldwins 268 and 278 as display locomotives. Three of the
original Class 70 survive, 400 (340) and 409 (RGS 41) both at Knotts
Berry Farm and 406 (346) at the Colorado RR Museum, all still
serviceable. We
meet in person for a no cost show at 7:30 pm in Barnes Hall, on the
south side of the church at 2950 S. University Boulevard Denver,
Colorado. Or Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86251105134?pwd=VWRwRUVCbVoyTzhwMWhYbm5scTlqdz09 Meeting ID: 862 5110 5134 Passcode: 496652 |
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| Grant
built 211 is the well-worn dual gauge switcher in Salida in 1920, and
long past its glory days of polished brass and gold pinstripes.
The sand dome is still recognizable as a Grant, but 40 years of
rebuilding has made it almost indistinguishable from the Baldwin Class
60’s. Believed to be an Otto Perry photo. From the Bissinger
Collection. |
Legendary
railroader and photographer Fred Jukes found Class 70 #404 resting at
the helper station of Sargents in 1902. The locomotive is showing
every one of its 21 years helping heavy freights up the grueling 4%
grades of Marshall Pass. Fred Jukes not only took the photo but
developed this original print. |
Upcoming Events: April 9 meeting with program on C&TS 40 years ago by Earl Knoob. The
Colorado Railroad Museum will have a celebration of the 75th
Anniversary of the California Zephyr on March 23rd, 2024. They may
have the cab of Rio Grande diesel F-unit 5771 open for tours that day. - - -
Amtrak's
Winter Park Express started Friday, January 12, 2024. It will run
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Denver Union Station.
Thursday runs on March 14 and 21. Last train of this season will
be on March 31st. - - - - - - Rocky Mountain Train Show - Spring 2024 on April 6th & 7th
Sat 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM - for Pre-Registered TCA/NMRA Members
Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Public Sun 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Public National Western Complex 4655 Humboldt St. Denver, CO 80216 - - - - - - May 19, likely date of the annual Club Picnic at the CRRM. April - May 2024 CPKC Announces 2024 Steam Tour Schedule Dates |
President's Column Membership Renewal Update Most
members have sent in their dues to renew for the 2024 year. I sent out a
reminder email in early February and many responded leaving us with
roughly 10% not responding. Some applications are still trickling in via
snail mail and those checks will probably be deposited sometime in
March or early April once our treasurer has time to process them. There
are several photo charters in late February and early March that he is
attending along with several other of our members. We are all volunteers
in this organization taking time out of our own busy schedules, so
please be patient and they will be processed as time permits. Seniority
numbers will be recomputed sometime in March or early April as time
permits. Once those are all completed, I will print the membership cards
and get those out in the snail mail. Thank you for your understanding as we don't have paid full-time staff to do any items relating to membership, the newsletter or any other aspect of the club. 2024 Mini Grant Applications 2024
marks the 10th anniversary of our Mini Grant program. The Rocky
Mountain Railroad Historical Foundation sponsored our first Mini Grant
program in 2015 and has done so every year since. Do
you know of a railroad history-related project that could use a small
grant for this summer? The Rocky Mountain Railroad Historical Foundation
is looking for individuals or organizations who have a summer project
that could use up to $1000. Full details and the application form can be
found on our website:
www.rockymtnrrclub.org
Applications
must be received by USPS or email no later than April 30, 2024. The
board will review applications at the May board meeting, and the 2024
recipients will be announced in June 2024. |
In Memory Of Richard
"Dick" Lehman, club seniority number 247, passed away November 4th
following a fall. He was an avid narrow-gauge fan and worked for
C.D.O.T. for most of his career. He was heavily involved in the widening
and raising project of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon in the 1990's. His
grandfather was an engineer for the D&RGW out of Gunnison which
helped Dick gain an interest in trains at an early age. - - - If anyone knows of a member that has recently passed away, please email us at rails@rockymtnrrclub.org and send us any details so that we may recognize them in this column. - - - |
Amtrak California Zephyr Derailed by Milk Truck |
Amtrak
California Zephyr lead unit 816, P40DC, was badly damaged after hitting
a milk truck at County Road 63 grade crossing and derailing onto its
side January 31, 2024. Engineer was badly injured. ©2024
Chip |
Amtrak's
California Zephyr, train 6, the eastbound Zephyr tragically struck a
loaded milk truck trailer January 29, 2024 about 10:30 PM about 40 miles
northeast of Denver, CO, on BNSF's Brush Subdivision. Incident
happened east of Keenesburg, CO, at County Road 63 grade crossing. The
train derailed, Amtrak 816 struck and turned onto the engineer side at
the Williams Keenesburg Gas Plant switch. The 42-year old engineer
had life threatening injuries. Three passengers were also taken
to a hospital and released the next day. BNSF
had Hulcher and their maintenance of way crews on the scene January
30th making progress with the cleanup effort. AMTK 816 had to be
re-railed. Hulcher crews carried a sleeper across the derailment
site so it could be re-railed with the back half of the train. The
front truck of the transition sleeper behind the baggage car was still
on the ground, although the car was upright.
AMTK 816 was leading the train. The second unit was AMTK 41.
BNSF
reopened the Brush Subdivision on the evening of January 30th.
Track repairs continued into early February. BNSF installed a
new switch at Williams Keenesburg gas plant on February 5, 2024. Amtrak
and BNSF Railway have sued (Feb 13, 2024) the driver of a semi-truck of
milk, as well as the truck’s owner, over the Jan. 29 grade-crossing
collision that derailed the eastbound California Zephyr near Keenesburg,
CO. |
Amtrak 160, the 50th Anniversary Unit, seen here on California Zephyr in eastern Colorado. |
Amtrak
160 the 50th Anniversary painted Phase III (Pepsi Can scheme) P42DC
handled the 5-hour late California Zephyr on Februrary 15, 2024.
Train sped past BNSF's Roggen, CO, on the Brush Subdivision.
©2024 Chip |
Fog
had lifted February 15, 2024 as Amtrak 160 Phase III unit sped the late
running California Zephyr past Lochbuie, CO, on BNSF's Brush Subd.
©2024 Chip |
Front Range Passenger District (FRPD) Rail News |
On December 13, 2023, Front Range Passenger Rail District’s General Manager Andy Karsian, Governor Jared Polis, Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose, CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew, and Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade gathered at the History Colorado Center to announce FRPD’s acceptance into the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification Development Program (CIDP). The FRPR District was awarded $500,000 to advance Front Range Passenger Rail’s development. This award signals preferential positioning for the FRPR District to access additional federal funding opportunities to make passenger rail a reality along the Front Range. |
BNSF Logistics Park Hudson, CO, Opened to Intermodal Trains |
BNSF
intermodal train at Littleton, CO, December 2020. First train to
depart Logistics Center Hudson, CO, down the Joint Line happened
February 7, 2024. BNSF train symbol S-HUDLHG1-06A. ©2020
Chip |
PV Sierra Hotel Ran February 2024 |
The
Royal Gorge Route hosted passengers aboard PV Sierra Hotel for the trip
between Cañon City and Parkdale, CO, on February 6, 2024. This
was the first trip with passengers for the Sierra Hotel dome lounge
sleeper since the car arrived on the Cañon City & Royal Gorge RR in
October 2021. ©2024 Chip |
PV
Sierra Hotel was at Parkdale, Colorado, Februrary 1, 2024 - first trip
through the Royal Gorge-! Test run for Sierra Hotel dome lounge
sleeper. Car was built by Budd for Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy named Silver Lounge. ©2024 Chip |
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America News |
Even
with the crews taking time for family and friends over the holiday
months, things have been moving along steadily at RRHMA-Silvis. |
New
parts from Strasburg Railroad and Steam Services of America arrived for
new superheater units to be built. New Springs are being installed in
#6936, #4014's tender primed and ready for rebuild, #3985's flue sheet
removed, and so much more! Info and photo courtesy RRHMA |
Amtrak Conductor Brad Swartzwelter set to retire later in 2024 |
Amtrak
conductor Brad Swartzwelter will retire after 30-years of working
freight and Amtrak passenger service this year. He was
instrumental in convincing Amtrak to operate the Winter Park Express.
Brad hired out on the Burlington Northern RR in 1994. ©2024
Chip |
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ENSCO
is proud to support the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA)
Transportation Technology Center (TTC) as the prime contractor
conducting research, engineering, testing, and training as well as
operating and maintaining this important US Department of Transportation
facility. |
| | Click on the above INTERMOUNTAIN CHAPTER NRHS link to go to their website. |
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| | Click on the above COLORADO RAILROAD MUSEUM link to go to their website. |
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