D&RGW 168

Denver and Rio Grande Western No. 168

168 at the head of a special train taking William Howard Taft to the opening of the Gunnison Tunnel, 1909
Type and origin
Reference [1][2][3]
Power type Steam
Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number 6670
Build date 1883
Specifications
Configuration 4-6-0
UIC class 2′C n2
Gauge 3 ft (914 mm)
Driver dia. 46 in (1,168 mm)
Length 53.3 ft (16.2 m)
Adhesive weight 50,643 lb (23.0 t)
Loco weight 70,550 lb (32.0 t)
Total weight 117,950 lb (54 t)
Fuel type Coal
Boiler pressure 160 psi (1 MPa)
Cylinders Two
Cylinder size 14 in × 20 in (356 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 11,590 lbf (51.55 kN)
Career
Operators D&RG » D&RGW
Class D&RG: 47,
DRGW: T-12
Numbers D&RGW: 168
Retired 1938
Current owner City of Colorado Springs
Disposition

Undergoing Full Restoration at the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad

Rio Grande Engine No. 168
Location 9 S. Sierra Madre, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coordinates 38°50′3.4″N 104°49′41″W / 38.834278°N 104.82806°W / 38.834278; -104.82806Coordinates: 38°50′3.4″N 104°49′41″W / 38.834278°N 104.82806°W / 38.834278; -104.82806
Area less than one acre
Built 1883
Architect Baldwin Locomotive Works
NRHP Reference # 79000601[4]
Added to NRHP August 10, 1979

Denver and Rio Grande Western No. 168 is a 4-6-0, Ten Wheeler type, narrow gauge steam railway locomotive. It is one of twelve similar locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad by 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.

As is the case with many small, early locomotives, we know little of their operating history. In the case of 168, what we know comes entirely from photographs taken of it. The first shows it in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River in 1904. The second pair show 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, later than most of its class.

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.[4] Although it sat in Antlers Park, unprotected from the elements, behind a low fence, for so many years, it appeared to be in immaculate cosmetic condition when removed for restoration to operating condition in early 2016.

The city has entered into an agreement with the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad to have the engine restored to working order. The locomotive is now located in Antonito, Colorado.[5]

 
Alamosa, 1923 

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. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  5. "Historic Colorado Springs Locomotive to be reborn!". City of Colorado Springs. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
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