DRGW.NET - Dedicated to Preserving the Memory of the Rio Grande

ROCKSLIDE BLOCKS D&S FOR A DAY
Posted Tuesday, July 27 2010 at 2104 h MDT
On Monday, 26-Jul-2010, the morning track inspection found two medium-sized slides in the upper Animas Canyon, only a couple miles south of Silverton. These slides - like most in the Rockies - were most likely triggered by heavy rains on Sunday. The D&S maintenance of way crews performed their usual miracles, and service was restored this morning (Tuesday). Yvonne mentioned in her NGDF post that apparently more rocks came down this afternoon around milepost 481 (between Tefft and Needleton), and they're working to get those cleared out. Photos of the Monday slides can be found on the D&S website [here]. - NDHolmes

LOBATO - THE DAMAGE IN PICTURES
Posted Tuesday, July 27 2010 at 2053 h MDT
Up until now, we've heard bits and pieces of what's supposedly wrong with Lobato after the fire - some truth, some speculation, and often hard to conclusively differentiate between the two.

Now we have an impartial account of at least part of the damage, thanks to a few photos posted for "Tomstp" by Chris Webster over on NGDF. They look to be from the engineering study done several weeks back. I'm definitely not an expert, but suffice to say parts look bad - far worse than I'd anticipated. Damage includes warping in the main girders and bracing, cracks in the flanges and gussets, and one end that's been pulled upward off its bearing, breaking the anchor bolts. So, I leave the photos to speak for themselves - there are three sets: #1, #2, and #3. - NDHolmes

UP DONATES DRGW SD40T-2 5401 TO CRRM
Posted Thursday, July 22 2010 at 2320 h MDT
I've been hearing rumors for two weeks now that Union Pacific was going to donate one of the tunnel motors recently brought to Denver to the Colorado Railroad Museum. I've held off posting anything until a more official announcement appeared, not wanting to either jinx the deal or just be plain wrong. Turns out, it's absolutely true - CRRM is acquiring one of the Grande's signature diesels, the SD40T-2 "Tunnel Motor"!

The museum apparently opened a dialog with Union Pacific in early July, and UP agreed to the donation shortly thereafter. 5401 was one of the final four in Helper, and aside from the removal of the Gyralite and the class lights, is largely as-built (at least visually). It even retains its Grande paint, though it has been patched twice - the first time to UP 8594 in 2005, and then to UP 9871 in 2007.

The tunnel motor will be hauled by BNSF to the Coors brewery in Golden, where it will be stored until the museum is ready to accept it and has the money to move it. Obviously, they'd appreciate donations to help with this, as the museum has no direct rail connection and any move will likely be by crane and truck. With 350,000lbs of locomotive, that's going to be a heck of a move.

I know that class lights are being donated to the museum shortly for 5401, but as of yet I don't know of anyone with an appropriate Gyralite to install. If you have one, or know somebody who would be interested in donating it to restore 5401 to its original appearance, please contact the museum. I'm sure they'd be glad to hear from you, and all of us Grande fans would be eternally grateful for 5401's light package being restored. - NDHolmes

D&RGW K-27 #463 UPDATE
Posted Friday, July 9 2010 at 1620 h MDT
Recent reports indicate that 463's boiler, currently being restored in Alabama, is on schedule and will be back in August. The contract for restoring 463's running gear and reassembling has been awarded to Soni Honegger, with Marty Knox doing consulting work. This is a change back to the original plan for 463, as at one point shortly following Soni's resignation, there were reports that the CTSMC intended to do the work in house at the railroad's shops. This will be good for 463, as the shop crews have enough to do and 463 will be in very competent hands with Soni and Marty. Given the anticipated return, it's even possible that we'll see the engine return to steam very late in the season. The engine's frame was loaded up yesterday (Thursday, 8-Jul-2010) and moved to Soni's shop. Roger has pictures of the loading process posted [here]. - NDHolmes

Past Rio Grande News...