Rio Grande Standard Gauge Steam

While there is a lot of Rio Grande Narrow Gauge film, Rio Grande Standard Gauge Steam is harder to come by. 1956 was the final year for standard gauge steam through the Rockies of Colorado and Utah on the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. This bridge railroad handled freight and passengers mainly between Denver and Salt Lake City. This included the original mainline from Pueblo over Tennessee Pass to Minturn, and also the line through Moffat Tunnel that was originally the Denver & Salt Lake Railroad.

We will see a variety of locations covering a little bit here and there throughout the system in this show. Locations include Minturn as we watch a 2-8-2 switch and refrigerator cars being iced during this time, we ride a passenger train up Tennessee Pass and then ride beyond Salida. In Salida we see some moves around the yard and engine facility including several L class 2-8-8-2’s. We also see the “Royal Gorge ” passenger Train arrive with a 4-8-4, and a narrow gauge engine leaving for a branch line. Next is Tennessee Pass and see a 2-8-8-2 on a freight and then we are in Utah for a couple of scenes with Challenger 4-6-6-4’s in action

At Grand Junction we see the California Zephyr, and then see a 4-6-0 on a lessor known passenger train.We visit Denver for a 2-8-0 switching, then the roundhouse where we see an L-series 2-8-8-2 being readied for action. Other steamers are seen at Colorado Springs, Palmer Lake, Pueblo, La Veta Pass (with a mid-train helper) and Blanca and Alamosa. As most of vintage film, there is no live audio. We have a ton of informative narration and nice background music.