Former Denver & Rio Grande and Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 168, a narrow-gauge 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler steam locomotive is now on Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad property. Workers moved the locomotive from downtown Colorado Springs on Sept. 24 to restore the engine to operating condition.
John Bush
ANTONITO, Colo. – Former Denver & Rio Grande Western engine No. 168 has arrived on Cumbres & Toltec property after being transported from downtown Colorado Springs last week.
John Bush, president of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad tells Trains News Wire the move from Colorado Springs went very smoothly. The locomotive will remain inside the engine house in Antonito until crews can conduct a thorough inspection.
Bush and others at the C&TS hope to restore the locomotive to operating condition and as the way it appeared in 1913-1917. Bush estimates the locomotive’s restoration to cost about $650,000 and hopes to obtain all funding from private donors and not from loans or government grants. The locomotive has been a cosmetic display piece in downtown Colorado Springs since 1938.
More information is available at the railroad’s website.
Yes, Doug, this was the engine that was by one of the greatest railroad restaurants, Giuseppes Depot, in the old D&RGW train station in Colorado Springs right along the BNSF/UP joint line. Tried to go there for dinner a few years back but it had closed, changed to an event venue.
Looks like a neat little engine. Quite a different look than their husky K-series locomotives.
Is this the engine that was down by Giuseppes Depot (former D&RG station) for what seemed like forever?
A truly gorgeous Ten-Wheeler, and I'm glad to see its liberation toward what will likely become a singularly important operating restoration. The C&TS couldn't be a better place for that to happen.
Ex-D&RGW No. 168 "safety" at Antonito? Proofreading is a lost art.
first saw this beautiful engine in 1986, and thought that it would be an excellent choice to restore, especially for its diminutive size and blue boiler jacket.
Roger, My apologies, glad to hear they actually read our input.
OK guys, sure glad we straightened out that HUGE misunderstanding ! Now at least i'll sleep better tonight !
George – the original headline had the word "safety" instead of "safely". Shortly after I made my post, someone at TRAINS changed the headline.
Roger, try inserting 'arrived' before safely and you get a full sentence in context with the article. The headline is probably fine as it is considering it is a headline. Kind of like cutting extra words from a telegram.