D&RG Doubleheader. Just outside the yard in Antonito, Colorado at MP 281, we see D&RG Locomotives #168 and 425 doubleheading westbound with an all-D&RG wooden passenger consist on the 4th day of the Victorian Iron Horse Round-up event at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. This event featured 5 narrow gauge locomotives, all of which were built prior to 1900.
On this day, the event featured these two engines, both of which actually carried the D&RG herald back in the day. On the left is the Baldwin T-12 #168, a 10-wheeler built in 1883, and right behind her, is the Baldwin C-18 #425, a Consolidation type, built in 1895. Most enthusiasts probably know the latter engine best by the D&RGW number "315", which she wore later in life. Note how each locomotive carries large numbers on the tender, a practice which was characteristic of the early days of the railroad. Note also how the 168 has her numbers painted an "aluminum" color, while the 425 has gold letters. The railroad apparently favored the "aluminum" look early on, and later moved to gold. Although it may look odd to see both schemes on a single train, the folks who researched the history of the lettering told me that there is evidence that during the transition from one color to the other, the railroad did indeed run trains that looked very much like what you see here.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
