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Nice...wish I had had sense enough to ride the Zephyr
back when the Grande was a real railroad. To the
NE Colorado members on here, whatcha know or where can
I find (and I have about 6 books and pamphlets I know about
on the Great Western Sugar Co. and its railroad) good
pictures of the "high lines", the raised sidings divided
by flumes that were used to unload sugar beets and wash
them into the plants? Only one photo shows up in the
Jessen book on Northern Colo. RRs. I visited and photoed
three of these inactive, a couple in ruins, plants up
I-76 recently (all three have 0-4-0T "dinkies" displayed,
and I have long since relettered a couple of the MTH
versions for GW for this complex..somebody on here wanted
a model of the Dockside), but property is fenced and
I saw no evidence of flumes as shown in that one photo..
probably long since bulldozed.
I have a HUGE kitbashed group of Korber kits for the
factory, have the sugar silos, need the "high line", and
I can get on to something else. I can imagineer it from
that one photo..but is sorta a shot in the dark.
Erik, what is the difference between your paint scheme, and the two I'm posting?

When was each scheme active?

How long did the D&RGW use PA's?

Thanks Erik, and no thanks Erik, this ATSF guy broke down and buy the train. It's magnificent and at the price it's a steal.



I do have a Irv August video with this engine.



I used to ride the RGZ in the 70's to Glenwood Springs and even made it to Salt Lake City once! I love that train.

Again, thanks for posting Erik even if it cost me a few bucks.

I probably liked this picture the best:



I had never seen these shots before, this one's my desk top! Thanks again.



I'll be out for my son's graduation from DU this spring, perhaps we can get together.
quote:
Originally posted by Hudson J1e:
Thanks Chip. The track looks superb. You guys did a great job laying it.


"You guys" as in us? Eek LOL I'm 36... My great-grandfather maybe if he were a member.. Wink

Most of that track was laid 65 years or more ago. Big Grin

Originally we had that code 190 stuff but the modern 50's changed much of that stuff with 170. In Grove where these photos were taken there is actually 2 different sizes of rail, 148 and 170. Grove was finished in the early 1960's.
quote:
Originally posted by marker:
Erik, what is the difference between your paint scheme, and the two I'm posting?

When was each scheme active?

How long did the D&RGW use PA's?


The PA's or ALCO 2000's were delivered in the black and gold (white with a whisper of yellow) scheme.

Some of us prefer the delivery scheme but the Grande in a effort to match the new stainless CZ repainted the PA's the "Aspen Leaf" scheme an all silver flying Grande logo with a bright yellow nose.


This scheme was very short lived, almost a matter of months between late 1949 and early 1952.


In late 1952 the Grande saw the final 4 stripes and more orange "gold" scheme that later was change to a single stripe.

The ALCO 2000 was big trouble for the Rio Grande. Granted they were very pretty, and versatile the PA (Passenger ALCO) used a General Electric designed electrical system prone to catastrophic failure. The PA with its turbo charged prime mover breathed well in the higher altitudes of the Moffat line. The short wheel base meant greater adhesion unlike the long legged E units and A-1-A trucks meant a great ride for crews. Not long after 1952 the Rio Grande started demanding an ALCO/GE electrician on board every CZ that had PA's assigned and by the mid 1950's the PA's were not trusted any further and were assigned lessor duties on secondary trains never without a trusty EMD at its side... Roll Eyes

As this photo demonstrates the PA was delegated duties with an EMD living out its remaining years on the Yampa Valley Mail and other small assignments. No more victory cruises on America's Most Talked About Train, or the overnight deluxe Prospector, and even a PA on the Royal Gorge was a rare sight into the 1960's.
quote:
"You guys" as in us? Eek LOL I'm 36... My great-grandfather maybe if he were a member.. Wink


Erik, sorry about that. I should have been clearer with my words. By saying 'you guys' I simply meant the club members who laid the track. I did realize it was done a long time ago. I guess I had hoped that some of those guys were still around.
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