#d&rgw

[aryburn-trains]

Engineer Henry Nissen in overalls, poses in front of Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad locomotive #488 (2-8-2), it heads passenger train #215, the "San Juan," on its last run in Alamosa, Colorado. January 31, 1951

[railwayhistorical]

Moffat Tunnel

This image was made from the dome car while riding on the Rio Grande Zephyr. I've posted one of these images before, but added a previous shot approaching the famous tunnel. As stated before, this wonderful train ran between Denver and Salt Lake City. I was headed westward on my ride, and so this is the eastern portal.

This 6.2 mile bore, which pierces the continental divide, was built by the Denver & Salt Lake Railway between 1923 and 1927. The first train went through the tunnel in February of 1928. The Denver, Rio Grande & Western took over the line in 1931.

Prior to the building of the tunnel, the Denver, Northwestern and Pacific Railway (DN&P) crawled over the mountain using switchbacks, loops, and very steep grades (4%). David Moffat, on the board of the railway, conceived of the tunnel to eliminate all of that—but would not live to see it built.

This train would be discontinued in 1983 but a few months later Amtrak began running their train, the California Zephyr on this route and still does today.

Two images by Richard Koenig; taken August 30th 1979.

[mrpullmanjr]

Theres no doubt that steam just has that alluring aura that can appeal to folk both young and old, but I'd be lying if I said diesels don't have similar appeal. In most cases...why not just try for both?

For the holiday season (and my Birthday) I got to snag two new engines for the collection. Both models are Athearn.

The steamer is an Athearn-Roundhouse 2-6-0 Mogul as Denver & Rio Grande Western #942. This is one of their most recent models, which I believe hit the shelves a few months ago as of this Jan. 2026 post. It is representing a G-26 class set from the 1930s to 1941 based on the lettering style. It is by no means an accurate representation of the depicted engine but I don't think anyone has a model of the real thing so its still a good stand in. This model has DCC & Sound equipped which I have yet to test due to my controller being stored. In time I will swap out the couplers to Kadee 58 or 158 scaleheads. I am not sure if I want to detail the engine or not, since im sure that making an accurate looking G-26 will require me to start with something else entirely.

The diesels on the other hand are Athearn Genesis, representing an EMD F-3 Phase II A-B-A set lettered for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (Also known as the MKT or "Katy" Railroad). The units are 205-A, 205-B and 205-C, representing what I believe are the as-delivered looks from June of 1947. These units are all powered with a can on the inside and appear to have been super-detailed by a previous owner. Such super-detailing includes coupler cut levers, trip-pin less rusty painted Kadees, American Limited diaphragms and even minute weathering near the exhaust vents. These units are still DC operated (or at the very least DCC Ready) and are all very smooth running engines. I cannot wait to get DCC installed and have the trio ready to roar down the rails with a freight train.

Its also worth noting that the photo of the MKT diesels, to me, doesn't do the engines justice. The red is VERY brilliant in person. Dare I say it'd look better than the Santa Fe's warbonnet! But the only reason I'm not doubling down on that is because I don't have any warbonnets yet. Well, I do, but not in HO Scale. The Lionel Super Chief set I'll showcase another day.

[collinthenychudson]

It's about time I get down into building standard-cab diesels starting off with the EMD SD40T-2 in a Rio Grande livery. Original SD40-2 design by CraftyFoxe.

SD40-2 tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THZIdTjv3F4

[20th-century-railroading]

DRGW eastbound at Green River, UT, March 1982

[alco-luvr]

The train roars westbound, a silver arrow tipped of silver, then gold, then orange.

From green farms stretching as far as the eye can see, to to the steep mountains of the west, earthen tan and back to lush green

Snaking through tunnels and over bridges, an unparalleled view, the train always reflecting its surroundings.

Not for speed, like the yellow streak to the north, but a cruise ship for the west. Vista domes for unparalleled views

The times change, the route shortens, and the arrow is only tipped with gold. It struggles on, an anomaly, a remnant of a bygone era, until it too, is bygone.

The train roars westbound, a silver arrow tipped of red white and blue. The train changes, some of the views change, but one fact remains:

This train is the greatest and final word in travel. This train is the California Zephyr

[afflicted-astra]

did i ever mention how much money i spend on train sim

[guerrerense]

Crossing Lobato por Mike Danneman Por Flickr: Working upgrade over Lobato Trestle is an eastbound Rio Grande freight pulled by K-36 2-8-2 No. 487, with help up the steep 4% grade provided by sister Mikado No. 488 cut in ahead of the caboose(s). This narrow gauge freight train was operated for photographers by Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad on the crisp autumn day of October 25, 2008.