Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway Company

(1881-1889)

The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway Company was founded by General Palmer to build the western outlet for the Rio Grande, the D&RGW Rwy built the original narrow gauge mainline from Salt Lake City to State Line (the CO/UT border on the way to Grand Junction, CO). In 1889, as part of the conversion of the Utah lines to standard gauge, the assets of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway were purchased by the Rio Grande Western Railway.

This should not be mistaken for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, which was formed in 1921 to control all of the former Denver & Rio Grande, D&RGW Rwy/Rio Grande Western, and Denver & Salt Lake lines (as well as a handfull of other, smaller roads).