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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Rio Grande 168
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.

Various photographs show 168 during its working life. One shows it in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River in 1904. Another shows it in Montrose, Colorado, west of Gunnison, at the head of a special train taking President William Howard Taft to the opening of the Gunnison Tunnel which, at the time, was the longest irrigation tunnel in the world. There are also photographs, taken by Otto Perry, showing it in Alamosa in 1923 and Salida in 1929. It was retired in 1938 after a service life of 55 years.

The railroad gave it to the City of Colorado Springs on August 1, 1938. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Rio Grande Engine No. 168 in 1979. Although it sat in Antlers Park, unprotected from the elements behind a low fence for so many years, it appeared to be in remarkable cosmetic condition when removed for restoration to operating condition in early 2016.

The city has arranged with the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) to have the engine restored to working order. The locomotive is now located in Antonito, Colorado.

Restoration was completed in October 2019. The restoration project was headed up by Cumbres and Toltec Special Projects department and led by Assistant General Manager Efstathios Papas. The project cost $508,000 and took 27 months to complete. The railroad intends to use this engine frequently and put it into normal service as much as possible.

  • D&RG 168 in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, 1904
    D&RG 168 in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, 1904
  • Alamosa, 1923
    Alamosa, 1923
  • After restoration as seen in 2021 at Antonito
    After restoration as seen in 2021 at Antonito
  • D&RG 168 at the Ouray, Colorado engine house, showing what it looked like in its early years with a diamond stack and wooden pilot (cowcatcher). (Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR collection)
    D&RG 168 at the Ouray, Colorado engine house, showing what it looked like in its early years with a diamond stack and wooden pilot (cowcatcher). (Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR collection)

See also

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. ^ Presentation Ceremony Program. Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. August 1, 1938.
  3. ^ "Denver & Rio Grande Locomotive History: 168". Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  4. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  5. ^ "Historic Colorado Springs Locomotive to be reborn!". City of Colorado Springs. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  6. ^ Papas, Efstathios. Personal Interview. March 11, 2020
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