ALAMOSA, CO – The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad announced this week [Nov 26] the acquisition of two additional vintage steam engines and five dome cars for its tourist train operations headquartered in Alamosa. 

The two 2-8-0 steam locomotives – former Lake Superior & Ishpeming No. 18 and Grand Canyon Railway No. 20 – are expected to be in service by 2008 and 2009, respectively. Both were built by Alco’s Pittsburgh Works in 1910, and both are currently stored in Hood River, Ore., where No. 18 was in service on the Mount Hood Railroad as recently as last summer. The move from Oregon to Colorado is slated for December. 

The large locomotives, which will enable the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad to run longer trains and use steam power seven days a week, will join the former SP 1744 (a 2-6-0) in pulling tourist trains over scenic La Veta Pass on the railroad’s popular San Luis Express. Both will occasionally double for freight and mixed use trains between Alamosa and Monte Vista and Antonito.

The railroad also announced this week the acquisition of five former Santa Fe Big Dome cars from Holland America. The cars, which were built by the Budd Company and last ran between Anchorage and Fairbanks via Denali National Park on the Alaska Railroad, will be an exciting addition to the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s excursions through scenic southern Colorado. 

“We’re really pleased that we’re able to bring a little more excitement and capacity each year to the railroad,” says Ed Ellis, president of Iowa Pacific Holdings, Inc., parent company of the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.

Next year’s season marks year three in a five-year plan to grow the tourist railroad, which began operations in 2006. Steam power was re-introduced to the line in 2007 after more than 50 years, putting the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad “on the map” for train enthusiasts from across the country and even overseas.

The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad provides seasonal daily, round-trip passenger service from Alamosa to La Veta on the San Luis Express, and round-trip weekend service from Alamosa to Antonito on the Toltec Gorge Limited for connection with the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. Special trains, events and charters are also available throughout the season, and off-season trains are available for holidays and other special occasions. For more information, call (877) 726-RAIL.
 

Holiday lights in a car on the
North Pole Express. RGSR photo.

---

Locomotive of the North Pole Express
seen at Alamosa. RGSR photo.

Railroad Collectible Auction Items
Hardware

Site copyright 2007 by Message Media Co.
Contact us

Home