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Post by markfoster on Feb 6, 2007 18:11:38 GMT -5
The RGS was a basket case by the end of the depression in 1939. It survived through WWII thanks to an infusion of federal money because it was the only means of transporting uranium ore needed for the war effort from remote Colorado mines. On the other hand the Rio Grande narrow gauge had much more traffic and even ran the San Juan name passenger train between Alamosa and and Silverton until the early 1950's. By the mid 50's its once extensive network had been cut back to the main line between Alamosa and Durango where it intersected with a line that ran between Farmington, NM and Silverton. IIRC the line from Antonito to Santa Fe was the first to be abandoned. The D&RGW narrow gauge hauled big volumes of livestock and minerals behind well maintained and relatively modern outside frame Mikados from one time remote regions of Colorado and New Mexico. There was always the added cost of transferring freight to its standard gauge connestions the last one of which was at Alamosa. Both it and and the RGS were victims of the major road building programs of the 1940's that brought highway transportation into remote areas formerly served only by rail.
Mark
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Post by lotus098 on Feb 7, 2007 22:55:04 GMT -5
I always figured RGS was part of the D&RGW, I guess not. Thanks for the info.
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Post by RR Redneck on Feb 8, 2007 8:07:18 GMT -5
Yes again thank you sir.
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riogrande
Hobo
"Rio Grande" The Rocky mountain road
Posts: 6
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Post by riogrande on Aug 27, 2007 21:50:32 GMT -5
So hard to choose i liek both but rio grande western kicks tender!!!!! Rio grande southern had the galloping gooses though......... D&RGW for me.
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