DRGW

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Denver & Rio Grande Western

Photo above of first 'dome' car - Rio Grande Narrow Gauge "Silver Vista" in Durango 6/51 {RW Richardson}

.gif above {Ski Train}

When the "California Zephyr" was inaugurated as a joint effort between Western Pacific, Burlington, and the Rio Grande, the Budd car order was for 30 domes. Based on the total route mileage, each road was apportioned a share of the ownership (and costs) of the cars. The division was Burlington-13, Western Pacific-11, and D&RGW-6. The cars were delivered in 1948.

In 1949, 3 Budd cars also delivered in 1948 were obtained from the C&O from the never-launched "Chessie" for use on the "Royal Gorge".

Also note that there were several other domes bought on the secondary market (links below).

Car diagrams {Alan Hegler}

coaches

lounge

observation

midtrain for 'Royal Gorge' (ex C&O)

D&RGW 832 (purchased from WP)

"Silver Hostel", dorm-buffet-lounge, ex WP 832

832 "Silver Hostel" history and photos

D&RGW 1105 - "Silver Bronco", coach, ANSCO, stored at UP Burnham yard Denver CO still in D&RGW markings. Visible 9/02, but had disappeared as of 1/05, then observed back in place 6/05. Car noted for sale as of 1/2006 - sold 7/06 to Ohio Railway Supply - to San Antonio as FLNX 1105 for restoration.

D&RGW 1106 - "Silver Colt", coach, Amtrak 9446 (4/83-not applied), Alaska Railroad 7000 (2/84-not applied), ARR 7021, Roaring Fork RR (10/86), DRCX 7021 (800024), Denver-Salt Lake excursion service (1986/87), Texas Southern (lease 8/88), Texas Limited Houston-Galveston (lease 1989), DRC Tours, South Orient Express tours in Mexico's Copper Canyon. As of 2001, service terminated and car withdrawn from Mexico. Car part of the short lived "Acadian" Montreal - Maine - Halifax service. Car listed for sale 2003 on DF Barnhardt website. Sold 5/04 to Grand Canyon Railway. Sold (along with entire railway) to Xanterra 9/06.

D&RGW 1107 - "Silver Mustang", coach, Amtrak 9447 (4/83-not applied), Alaska Railroad 7001 (2/84-not applied), ARR 7022, Roaring Fork RR (10/86), DRCX 7022 (800446), Wyoming & Colorado (lease-1986/87), to Canada for filming of "Narrow Margin" (6/89), stored Hudson CO, DRC Tours, Mexican American RY Nogales MX tour service in Mexico (1999). As of 2001, service terminated and car withdrawn from Mexico. Car stored at Trans-Texas Rail, San Antonio - listed for sale 2003 on DF Barnhardt website. Sold 5/04 to Jon Clark - car moved to Commerce CA.

D&RGW 1108 - "Silver Pony", coach, Amtrak 9448 (4/83-not applied), Alaska Railroad 7002 (2/84-not applied), Alaska Railroad 7033, Roaring Fork RR (10/86), DRCX 7033 (800447), Wyoming & Colorado (lease-86/87), to Canada for filming of "Narrow Margin" (6/89), stored Hudson CO, DRC Tours, Mexican American RY Nogales MX tour service in Mexico (1999). As of 2001, service terminated and car withdrawn from Mexico. Sold 5/04 in auction to Grand Canyon Railway. Car is apparently a goner. It suffered a derailment en route from the auction, was re-railed, and subsequently was crashed into somehow. Don't know what structural problems this caused, but word was they're not going to repair it. It was to be set on the ground as soon as they can arrange for a crane and used for parts. Later word was that they 'may' try to repair it. Status uncertain. Sold (along with entire railway) to Xanterra 9/06.

D&RGW 1140 - "Silver Shop", dorm-buffet-lounge, (800710), Equus Farms/Ansco Investments (11/87), VIA 519 (12/87) in a deal that brought ex CN/VIA "Tempo" coaches for Ski Train use - stored inactive in Montreal. Sold 5/06 tp Phil Sheridan - moved to ITAC 12/06-1/07.

D&RGW 1145 - "Silver Sky", sleeper-observation, remodeled 1974 - bedrooms removed, Equus Farms/Ansco Investments (11/87) (800711), VIA 15519 "Jasper Park" (not applied) (12/87) in a deal that brought ex CN/VIA "Tempo" coaches for Ski Train use - stored "inactive" in Montreal (2000) - sold late 2003/early 2004 to Bill Harman. Moved to storage in Saginaw MI for eventual charter use.

- the "real" story follows:

Unfortunately, this car has suffered a tragic fate that has befallen two (so far) of it's sisters. When VIA acquired the car, they completely stripped it inside and out for a complete rebuild and conversion back to a dome sleeper obs (Rio Grande had removed bedrooms B,C, and D for conversion to additional lounge space and Room A became a large restroom). The skirts were removed and VIA started adding walls where the bedrooms were going to be. The idea was to make it match the "Park" cars as close as possible. Well, as usual, the political winds shifted and VIA experienced budget cuts. Since they were going to be running less trains, they didn't need as many dome obs cars, so the car was shoved outside so it could fill up with snow. (The windows were a long way from being reinstalled). So it sits today, a semi-gutted shell, in Montreal, along with other completely gutted ex-US domes like Silver Patio. (narrative courtesy Jon Clark).