Elizabeth and I woke up at the Days Inn in Cortez and went to have breakfast at Beny's Dinner where I had French Toast and bacon and Elizabeth enjoyed a waffle with strawberries. After breakfast I worked on the story before we checked out and met Greg and Marty at the car. Greg drove us north to Trout Lake for two surprises for us.
The only surviving Rio Grande Southern water tower at Trout Lake. Greg drove us further to the second surprise.
Trout Lake.
The old Rio Grande Southern grade can be seen across the canyon.
The Trout Lake Trestle is the only trestle of the Rio Grande Southern to still exist.
More views of the Rio Grande Southern Trout Lake Trestle.
A marmot enjoy the sun at the Trout Lake Trestle.
Three more views of the Rio Grande Southern Trout Lake Trestle. Greg drove us north then east to Ridgway and our next stop of this trip.
Denver and Rio Grande Western 25 ton box car 3130 built by the railroad in 1903.
Galloping Goose 4 Model T 1 built by Ridgway in 1932.
Rides were given for free.
Replica Goose Number 1 was giving rides at this museum.
Greg and Marty about to take a ride. A two trip ride awaits.
Your two trip ride is done.
This gave us our ride.
The sign on the replica says it all!
My loving and most beautiful wife, as well as the boys, took a second ride.
Rio Grande Southern coach 252 built by Jackson and Sharp in 1880 as Denver and Rio Grande 37 "Gothic". It was re-numbered 261 and sold to the Rio Grande Southern.
We signed the guest book and made a donation. Elizabeth drove and took us to the engine in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
A picture that everyone loves!
Denver and Rio Grande Western C-18 2-8-0 278 built by Baldwin in 1882.
Denver and Rio Grande Western box car 3132 built by American Car and Foundry in 1904.
Denver and Rio Grande Western caboose 0577 built by the railroad in 1886 as 93.
The train and the trestle.
Greg, Elizabeth and Marty with Denver and Rio Grande Western C-18 278 in Gunnison Canyon.
The sign board about the train. Next we visited the railroad display by the rangers office down at the highway.
Denver and Rio Grande Western outfit/bunk car 04414 built by Ohio Falls and the railroad in 1895 as box car 04414.
Denver and Rio Grande Western stock car 5620 built by American Car and Foundry in 1904.
Denver and Rio Grande Western stock car 5679D built by American Car and Foundry in 1904.
Railroad car display. From here we drove east to Gunnison and stopped at Subway for lunch. Next we went to the Pioneer Museum here in Gunnison.
Denver and Rio Grande Western Bumble Bee 2-6-0 268 built by Baldwin in 1882. As the railroad's oldest locomotive, 268 became part of a rolling exhibit, commemorating the D&RGW's 75th anniversary, which toured the system in 1945. It steamed daily as Cripple Creek & Tin Cup Railroad 268 with Colorado & Southern 2-6-0 9, where it became known as "Little Buttercup" because of its bright yellow livery. In 1952, 268 appeared in the movie "Denver and Rio Grande", a romanticised history of the building of the Denver & Rio Grande filmed on the railroad's Silverton Branch. In 1954, it hauled the last revenue train west of Gunnison prior to removal of the track.
In 1955, 268 was used on the wrecking train that dismantled the Crested Butte Branch tracks. It was then retired and donated to the City of Gunnison. After standing in Gunnison's City Park for three years, it was brought to Denver, where it was exhibited during the city's centennial celebration. On its return to Gunnison, it was painted black and placed in an open field at the opposite end of town from the park. 268 was subsequently restored and is now on display at the Gunnison Pioneer Museum.
Denver and Rio Grande Western flanger OD built by the railroad in 1885 as 2.
Denver and Rio Grande Western gondola 710, built by American Car and Foundry in 1904.
Denver and Rio Grande Western box car 3633, built by American Car and Foundry in 1904.
Denver and Rio Grande Western stock car 5763, built by American Car and Foundry in 1904.
Denver and Rio Grande Western caboose 0589 built by the railroad in 1900.
Denver and Rio Grande Western Sargents station.
The sign on the station.
Denver and Rio Grande Western water tower from Mears Junction on Marshall Pass.
Information about the water tower.
Milepost 292 sign.
Denver and Rio Grande Western weed burner.
Wig Wag grade crossing signal.
Denver and Rio Grande Western bunk car 04533 built by the railroad in 1902 from box car 4533.
The interior of the bunk car.
The builder information of this car. Next I went inside the Sargents station.
The interior of the Denver and Rio Grande Sargents station.
The rear of the train display. Next Elizabeth and I visited the toy train museum. Here are some pictures of that.
The inside of the toy train museum.
The rear of the train display.
A track cart and baggage cart.
One last look at the Bumble Bee. Elizabeth drove us south into the San Luis Valley then Greg drove us to Alamosa. We stopped at the locomotive display.
The railroad display in Alamosa.
Denver and Rio Grande Western 36" gauge 4-6-0 169 built by Baldwin in 1883. In 1939, the locomotive was refurbished at the Denver & Rio Grande Western's Burnham Shops in Denver, to appear at the 1939-40 New York World's Fair. In 1941, the railroad donated it to the City of Alamosa and it has been on display in downtown Cole Park ever since. It is one of the oldest surviving locomotives of the Rio Grande Railroad.
Denver and Rio Grande Western Coach 33 "Bovincia" built by Jackson and Sharp in 1880. Five years later, it was rebuilt to Business Car D&RGW B-1.
Greg drove us to Arby's and due to the stupidity of the workers, the lobby was closed even through there were people eating in there. According to the sign on the door, the lobby closed at 5:30 PM, during the height of dining hours. We went through the drive in and had a long wait but ate at the table outside. After that we stopped at Safeway to get supplies for our early morning departure in the morning. Greg drove us down to Antonito where we all checked in to the Narrow Gauge Motel. Elizabeth and I received Room 112 and Greg and Marty received Room 107. I worked on this story but did not finish it as we called it an early night for our big day tomorrow.
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