Rio Grande 315

Last updated
Denver & Rio Grande Western #315
DSC 0043 043-1xRP - Flickr - drewj1946.jpg
D&RGW No. 315 at the C&TS in 2008
Type and origin
Reference [1]
Power typeSteam
Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number14352
Model10-26 E
Build date1895
Rebuild date2001–2007
Specifications
Configuration:
   Whyte 2-8-0
   UIC 1′D n2
Gauge 3 ft (914 mm) [2]
Driver dia.38 in (965 mm)
Adhesive weight 64,000 lb (29.0 t)
Loco weight72,000 lb (32.7 t)
Fuel type Coal
Cylinders Two
Cylinder size 16 in × 20 in (406 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg)
Career
Operators
Class
  • D&RG: Class 72
  • D&RGW: C-18
Numbers
  • F&CC 3
  • D&RG 425
  • D&RGW 315
Retired1950 (revenue service)
RestoredAugust 2007
Current ownerDurango Railroad Historical Society
DispositionOperational, Currently at the C&TS based in Antonito, Colorado
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Locomotive No. 315
Location479 Main Ave., Durango, Colorado
Arealess than one acre
Built1895
ArchitectBaldwin Locomotive Works
Architectural styleNarrow gauge Consolidation
NRHP reference No. 08001008 [3]
Added to NRHPOctober 24, 2008

Denver and Rio Grande Western No. 315 is a class "C-18" 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type narrow-gauge steam locomotive that was originally built for the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1895. It was purchased by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG) in 1917 and later became known as No. 315. It was retired in 1949 and had been on display at City of Durango parks until the Durango Railroad Historical Society restored the locomotive from 2001 to August 2007. [4] [5] It was operational from then until September 2021. On March 8, 2023, it returned to service, following its FRA federally mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection and overhaul. Most "sister" locomotives to No. 315 were scrapped, but two others survive today: D&RGW No. 318, on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum; and F&CC No. 10, currently in storage at the Nevada Southern Railroad Museum. [6]

Contents

History

On the F&CC it was numbered 3 and named "Elkton". After the demise of the F&CC in 1915, the locomotive and sister locomotives sat unused in storage until the Denver & Rio Grande purchased it and four others in 1917 to help with war traffic. In D&RG service it was renumbered to No. 425, but was later renumbered to No. 315 when the Denver & Rio Grande reorganized/merged with the Rio Grande Western and became the Denver and Rio Grande Western in 1921.

It began its service on the D&RG at Alamosa, Colorado, was leased to the Rio Grande Southern in 1926-27, and then spent most of the next decade on the Gunnison Division, in Salida, on the line to Montrose, and on the branch to Ouray. [5] [7]

As larger locomotives such as the K-27, K-36 and K-37 Mikado Locomotives were introduced to the line, smaller engines like No. 315 were given yard switching duties or scrapped. No. 315 spent several periods in the Alamosa shops during the early 1940s, notably with a broken main rod and then later for flue work and to replace its pilot with a switch engine pilot when it was assigned to yard switching duties at Durango, Colorado. The locomotive was then taken out of service in 1949. [5]

Retirement

Bob Richardson's March 1950 Publication of Narrow Gauge News mentioned that No. 315 and sister Locomotive No. 319 as well as 10 other D&RGW locomotives were to be scrapped later that year. A local Durango businessman Jackson Clark heard about this and spoke out about his family's heritage with Durango's railroad history and how one of these locomotives should be saved. He recognized No. 315 from seeing it performing switching duties around the Durango yard, so after he received backing from the Durango Rotary Club and from the City of Durango, he went to talk to the D&RGW and No. 315 was officially leased as a static display, presented to the City of Durango at Brookside Park on the 22nd of September, 1950.

The D&RGW would later on end up donating No. 315 to the Durango Chamber of Commerce in June 1968 while other efforts related to disposing most of the Narrow Gauge System took place. In 1986, the Chamber of Commerce moved to Gateway Park (now known as Santa Rita park) and No. 315 was moved with it. Ownership was then transferred to the City of Durango in December, 2000. [7] [4]

Movie credits

The Durango area became known as "Hollywood of the Rockies" for a period of time thanks to the scenery and the railroad, and No. 315 managed to score some roles on the silver screen. First appearing in the movie Colorado Territory in 1948, a year before its retirement. [7]

No. 315 later returned to the silver screen for Michael Todd's 1956 Around the World in 80 Days . At first the D&RGW refused to let Michael Todd use No. 315 because of the lease they made to the City of Durango, but he insisted using the 315 and posted a $1,000,000 bond to the D&RGW that the locomotive would be returned in one piece. By then the locomotive was no longer able to operate under its own power, so it was pushed by a narrow gauge diesel locomotive leased from the US Army that was disguised as a baggage car for the movie. Modifications were made to the locomotive such as an installation of a steam generator and smoke machine that ended up damaging the tender cistern and smokebox, and despite the bond that was made, multiple parts had mysteriously disappeared upon No. 315's return to Brookside Park. [8] [4]

Restoration

In 1995, No. 315 had received some cosmetic maintenance for the first time since it was placed back on display in Brookside park after the filming of Around the World in 80 Days. Many Narrow Gauge Railfans, as well as Members of a local Model Railroad club known as the San Juan Large Scalers, and more specifically member Tom Mosher were dissatisfied with the locomotive's appearance. Mosher had intended to do something about it and wanted to see the locomotive in its original condition, but was diagnosed with cancer later that year, and passed away in 1997. The club held a memorial service for Tom in front of the locomotive and later on started to consider the idea of adding the original lettering back and performing other maintenance to bring the locomotive to its 1930s appearance.

After speaking with city officials, the first work session was held in October 1998. The project was assisted by the D&SNG's Museum Curator Jeff Ellingson who redid the lettering and also evaluated No. 315's overall condition. Later on the SJLS' Board of Directors decided the project would be too big to perform under the club name, and formed the 315 Committee. Later in 1999, the committee reconsidered the end goal of the restoration and also decided to reorganize as a non-profit organization under the name of the Durango Railroad Historical Society.

In 2002 the boiler received a Hydrostatic and Ultrasonic test and was deemed to be in good condition for returning the Locomotive to operational condition. It was then decided that the DRHS would go through with performing a complete restoration of No. 315. On August 24, 2007, a fire was lit inside No. 315's firebox at the D&S Roundhouse and that evening the locomotive moved under its own power for the first time in 58 years. The Locomotive first ran at the D&SNG after fixing some minor issues and having to borrow D&RGW 223's tender trucks. It made its official shake down run on September 7 and pulled its first excursions in late September. [4]

No. 315 was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Locomotive No. 315 in 2008 and the City of Durango transferred ownership of the locomotive to the DRHS in 2014. [3]

Operations since restoration

No. 315 has operated on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad multiple times since its restoration. 315 was a common Attendee of the Railfest events held at the D&SNG from 2007 to 2016, visiting the C&TS often as well. [9]

In 2016, No. 315 went to the C&TS to participate in their Narrow Gauge Rendezvous event. [10] The DRHS and the C&TS then decided that the Locomotive is to remain on C&TS Property until at least 2025, where its played parts in the festivities associated with 37th National Narrow Gauge Convention, [11] the C&TS opening day 2018 and 2019, multiple private charters, and the Victorian Iron Horse Roundup to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the C&TS. By the end of the C&TS 2021 season in October, the locomotive was required to receive its FRA federally mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection and overhaul. [12] It later returned to service on March 8, 2023.

The DRHS in Silverton

When the locomotive isn't out running on the D&SNG or at the C&TS, it is stored in the original Silverton Northern Railroad Engine house. The DRHS has teamed up with the San Juan County Historical Society to restore the structure and turn the area into a historic, informational park. Rails were laid back inside the engine house in 2009 and since then the DRHS and SJCHS has rebuilt an amount of track on the original SNRR Grade with the help of the D&SNG, also tying into D&S Trackage on the Shenandoah loop for easy access to the D&SNG. In 2019, two spurs were built to display their collection of restored D&RGW Freight and MOW equipment. [13] The DRHS has currently restored:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad</span> American railroad company

The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, often shortened to Rio Grande, D&RG or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, was an American Class I railroad company. The railroad started as a 3 ft narrow-gauge line running south from Denver, Colorado, in 1870. It served mainly as a transcontinental bridge line between Denver and Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rio Grande was also a major origin of coal and mineral traffic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Durango, Colorado</span> City in Colorado, United States

Durango is a home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 19,071 at the 2020 United States Census. Durango is the home of Fort Lewis College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad</span> Heritage railroad in Colorado and New Mexico, U.S.

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, often abbreviated as the C&TSRR, is a 3 ft narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates on 64 miles (103 km) of track between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico, in the United States. The railroad is named for two geographical features along the route: the 10,015-foot (3,053 m)-high Cumbres Pass and the Toltec Gorge. Originally part of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad's narrow-gauge network, the line has been jointly owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico since 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad</span> Heritage railroad in Colorado, US

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, often abbreviated as the D&SNG, is a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates on 45.2 mi (72.7 km) of track between Durango and Silverton, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The railway is a federally-designated National Historic Landmark and was also designated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1968.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghost Town & Calico Railroad</span> Attraction at Knotts Berry Farm

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande Southern Railroad</span> Former narrow-gauge railway in Colorado, US

The Rio Grande Southern Railroad was a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge railroad which ran in the southwestern region of the US state of Colorado, from the towns of Durango to Ridgway, routed via Lizard Head Pass. Built by German immigrant and Colorado toll road builder Otto Mears, the RGS operated from 1891 through 1951 and was built with the intent to transport immense amounts of silver mineral traffic that were being produced by the mining communities of Rico and Telluride. On both ends of the railroad, there were interchanges with The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, which would ship the traffic the RGS hauled elsewhere like the San Juan Smelter in Durango.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D & RG Narrow Gauge Trestle</span> United States historic place

The D&RG Narrow Gauge Trestle, also known as the Cimarron Canyon trestle, is a narrow-gauge railroad deck truss bridge crossing the Cimarron River near Cimarron, Colorado. Located within the Curecanti National Recreation Area, the trestle is the last remaining railroad bridge along the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad's Black Canyon route, a narrow-gauge passenger and freight line that traversed the famous Black Canyon of the Gunnison between 1882 and the 1940s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande class K-36</span> Class of American narrow gauge 2-8-2 locomotives

The Denver and Rio Grande Western K-36 is a class of ten 3 ft narrow gauge 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW) by Baldwin Locomotive Works. They were shipped to the Rio Grande in 1925 and were first used along the Monarch Branch and Marshall Pass, but were later sent to the Third Division out of Alamosa. Of the original ten, four are owned by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) and five by the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR). Number 485 fell into the turntable pit at Salida and was scrapped in Pueblo in 1955, with many parts being saved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande class K-27</span> Class of steam locomotives

The Denver and Rio Grande Western K-27 is a class of 3 ft narrow gauge 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1903. Known by their nickname "Mudhens," they were the first and the most numerous of the four K classes of Rio Grande narrow gauge engines to be built. Two of the original fleet of 15 locomotives were preserved and operate on heritage railways in the United States. No. 463 is operational on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) in Chama, New Mexico and No. 464 is currently out of service due to a rebuild on the Huckleberry Railroad in Genesee Township, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah Division (D&RGW)</span> Rail line in Utah and Colorado

The Utah Division of the former Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW) is a rail line that connects Grand Junction, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah in the Western United States. It is now incorporated into the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) system as part of the Central Corridor. The modern Union Pacific has split the line into two subdivisions for operational purposes, the Green River Subdivision between Grand Junction and Helper, Utah and the Provo Subdivision from Helper to Salt Lake City. Daily passenger service is provided by Amtrak's California Zephyr; the BNSF Railway and Utah Railway have trackage rights over the line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande class K-37</span> Class of narrow gauge 2-8-2 locomotives

The Denver and Rio Grande Western K-37 is a class of 2-8-2 "Mikado" type narrow-gauge steam locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. They were new steam locomotives built in the D&RGW Burnham Shops as a near copy of the Rio Grande class K-36. In-house production was chosen to preemptively address material shortages and personnel issues. Burnham Shops was assisted in the construction of the class by the Stearn-Rogers Manufacturing Company. The class recycled components from Baldwin Locomotive Works-built Class 19 2-8-0 locomotives used on the Rio Grande's standard gauge; re-using the boiler, tender and other components salvaged from the C-41's. The engine components were constructed new for the locomotive class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande class K-28</span>

The Denver and Rio Grande Western K-28 is a class of ten 3 ft gauge narrow gauge 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotives built in 1923 by the Schenectady Locomotive Works of the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. They were the first new narrow gauge locomotives ordered by the railroad since 1903. They initially comprised class E-4-148-S, but were reclassified K-28 in 1924 when the railroad reorganized into the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande 169</span>

Denver and Rio Grande Western No. 169 is a 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler" type narrow gauge steam locomotive. It is one of twelve similar locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RGW) by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1883. It was built as a passenger locomotive, with 46 in (1,200 mm) drivers, the second largest drivers used on any three-foot gauge D&RGW locomotive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande 168</span>

Denver and Rio Grande Western No. 168 is a class "T-12" 4-6-0 “Ten Wheeler” type narrow-gauge steam locomotive. It is one of twelve similar locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG) by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1883. It was built as a passenger locomotive, with 46 in (1,200 mm) drivers, the largest drivers used on any three-foot gauge D&RGW locomotive. The large drivers made it suitable for relatively fast passenger service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande 223</span> American narrow-gauge steam locomotive

Denver and Rio Grande Western 223 is a 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type narrow-gauge steam locomotive built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad by the Grant Locomotive Works of Paterson, New Jersey in 1881–82. Number 223 was completed in December 1881, at a cost of $11,553. Rio Grande 223 is the only surviving narrow-gauge engine built by Grant Locomotive Works. D&RGW 223 and the other Class 60 engines were part of the Rio Grande's expansion into Colorado and Utah in the 1880s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande 463</span>

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad No. 463 is a 3-foot narrow-gauge class "K-27" 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotive built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG) by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1903. It is one of two remaining Rio Grande K-27 locomotives, the other one being No. 464 at the Huckleberry Railroad in Genesee Township, Michigan. The class eventually became known by the nickname "Mudhens". Today, No. 463 is operational on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Juan Express</span> Former American train line

The San Juan Express was a narrow gauge train that ran on the 3 feet (0.91 m) Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW) route from Durango, Colorado via Chama, New Mexico; Cumbres Pass; and Antonito, Colorado to Alamosa, Colorado. The train ran from February 11, 1937 until January 31, 1951 as train numbers 115 and 116, though towards the end of the passenger service it took on the number 215 and 216.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alamosa–Durango line</span> Historic railroad line

The Alamosa–Durango line or San Juan extension was a railroad line built by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, following the border between the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico, in the Rocky Mountains. The line was originally built as a 3 ft narrow-gauge line between Alamosa, Colorado, and Durango, Colorado. Portions of the route survive: the now standard-gauged segment from Alamosa to Antonito, Colorado, and a narrow-gauge portion from Antonito to Chama, New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande 268</span>

Rio Grande 268 is a 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type narrow-gauge steam locomotive built for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1882. It is one of three surviving locomotives in D&RG class 60.

References

  1. Official Roster No. 11 of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad System. Denver: The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad System. April 1, 1923.
  2. Steamlocomotive.info
  3. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Niederauer, George (2010). Locomotive 315. Durango Railroad Historical Society. pp. 145–350. ISBN   978-0-615-34284-9.
  5. 1 2 3 "History – DURANGO RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY". Durango Railroad Historical Society. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  6. "2-8-0 "Consolidation" Locomotives in the USA (*Look for "12, Eureka Nevada (F&CC)" below)".
  7. 1 2 3 "History of D&RGW #315". Durango Railroad Historical Society. Archived from the original on 20 February 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  8. "Restoration – DURANGO RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY" . Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  9. "Past Events – DURANGO RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY" . Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  10. "Past Events « DURANGO RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY". www.drhs315.org. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  11. "Save the Date - Photo Charter September 2017". www.cumbrestoltec.org. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  12. "DURANGO RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY – 1472 – THE TASK BEGINS". Archived from the original on 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  13. "RAILROAD HISTORICAL PARK". Durango Railroad Historical Society.

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