Description

Volume 2, Number 3 — M. Keith Williams, Editor
(Published Q3‑2003, 36 pages)

This issue offers a rich blend of locomotive history, early Rio Grande equipment development, regional railroad operations, and preservation‑era photography. Volume 2, Number 3 brings together respected historians and photographers to document the story of D&RGW locomotive 268, the earliest stock cars, the railroad’s expansion under General Palmer, and the challenges of operating in Colorado’s rugged Blue River Valley.

Featured Articles

• History of D&RGW Locomotive #268 — Jerry B. Day
  A definitive, deeply researched history of one of the Rio Grande’s most iconic narrow‑gauge locomotives. Day traces No. 268 from its 1882 Baldwin construction through decades of service on the Crested Butte and Baldwin branches, its starring role at the Chicago Railroad Fair, its appearance in the film Denver and Rio Grande, and its final preservation in Gunnison. Includes rare photographs, operational anecdotes, and detailed mechanical history.
• The First Stock Cars on the Rio Grande — Robert B. Schaefer
  A historical examination of the earliest stock cars used by the D&RG, documenting their construction, design evolution, and operational role in supporting Colorado’s livestock industry. Includes period photography and roster context.
• General William J. Palmer and the Early Denver & Rio Grande Railway — Allan C. Lewis
  A biographical and historical study of General Palmer’s leadership, vision, and influence on the early expansion of the D&RG. Lewis explores Palmer’s strategic decisions, engineering challenges, and the railroad’s rapid growth across Colorado.
• A Railroad Ran Through It — The D&RG’s Blue River Branch — Allan C. Lewis
  A detailed look at the D&RG’s operations in the Blue River Valley, including the jointly used facilities at Leadville and the harsh winter conditions that shaped daily railroad life. Features dramatic historical photography and operational insights.
• M‑68 1804’s Boiler Explosion — Herbert S. Edwards
  A gripping account of the 1941 boiler explosion of locomotive 1804 in Denver. Edwards recounts the incident, eyewitness accounts, and the subsequent rebuilding of the locomotive.
• Surviving Narrow Gauge Equipment — Herb Danneman, Charlie Mutschler & Keith Williams
  A photographic survey of surviving D&RGW narrow‑gauge equipment, including rotary snowplows, coaches, cabooses, and freight cars. Features images from Chama, Silverton, and the Colorado Railroad Museum.