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Rio Grande Diesel Roster

General Notes

This page was last updated on November 12, 2022.

(Return to Rio Grande Diesel Locomotives Index Page)

D&RGW's First Diesel Locomotive

D&RGW's first diesel locomotive was an Alco HH900 yard switcher, in 1937.

Allen Copeland wrote in an email on June 6, 2002.

(The first D&RGW diesel-electric to enter service on D&RGW rails was EMD 1000-horsepower NW2 number 7000, which entered service in January 1941.)

FS and FT Numbering

Andre Kristopans wrote the following on March 15, 2022.

This information is confirmed with different wording, in Joseph Strapac's "Rio Grande Diesels, Volume 1," pages 71-72, published in 1983.

As delivered the cab units of each A-B-B-A set were identified with 2-inch letters at the side sills at their rear corners as (for example) 540 First and 540 Fourth; changed to 540-A and 540-D in about 1946 with the delivery of the F3s.

As delivered the booster units of each A-B-B-A set were identified with 2-inch letters at the side sills at their rear corners as (for example) 540 Second and 540 Third; changed to 540-B and 540-C in about 1946 with the delivery of the F3s.

The numbers in the front and side number boards were temporary, and changeable depending on the operating conditions. The fourth unit (or segment) of the four-unit A-B-B-A sets, when leading a train, carried the number of the first unit of the set.

(View a zoomed detail photo of D&RGW 554-A, with painted lettering identifying it as "554 Fourth," meaning that it later became 554D.)

(Read more about D&RGW's FS and FT locomotives)

Steam Generators

A total of 34 units were equipped with steam generators for passenger service, including:

FTBs 5482, 5483, 5492, 5493, 5502, 5503, 5512, 5513 (8 units)

F3Bs 5522, 5523, 5532, 5533, 5542, 5543 (six units)

F7Bs 5552, 5553, 5562, 5563, 5572, 5573 (six units)

F7As 5571 and 5574 (replaced by water tanks in early 1950s)

F7Bs 5582, 5583 (added in about 1953)

F9Bs 5762, 5763, 5772, 5773 (four units)

PAs 6001, 6003, 6011, 6013 (four units)

PBs 6002 and 6012

The two early F7 cab units, D&RGW 5571 and 5574, were the only D&RGW EMD cab units built with steam generators; they had small water tanks located directly beneath their steam generators. This feature allowed the unit to be used alone in passenger service (a single F unit on a passenger train), which was planned on D&RGW but apparently happened very seldom. Sufficient water supply for steam generators was a chronic problem on the long distances on many western railroads, so when each of these two units were wrecked in May 1952 (5574) and November 1953 (5571), the steam generators were replaced by water tanks that fed water to the steam generators in adjacent booster units. These later, larger water tanks are evident by their water fills located on the bottom of the car bodies, just to the rear of the units' rear side door.

Steam generators were removed from six FT cabless booster units 5492, 5493, 5502, 5503, 5512 and 5513 in mid 1953, and the units converted to freight service; of the six removed steam generators, two were installed in F7 cabless booster units 5582 and 5583, and two each were installed in steam generators cars 250 and 251 in May and June 1953. (The AFE for the conversion of the two steam generator cars states that the steam generators came from "549 & 550 series Diesel Road Locomotives.")

(The EMD 1950 Product Reference Data book shows 18 FT booster units with steam generators, D&RGW 5432-5513, as does The Revolutionary Diesel, EMC's FT, page 61. Photo research reveals that just these eight units actually had steam generators.)

Wreck Repairs For EMD F units

In the early days of diesel locomotives, many railroads had neither the expertise nor shop capacity to do major wreck repairs on diesel locomotives. Starting in 1949 EMD began a program of "rebuilding" wrecked or burned EMD locomotives. By 1951 there was a need for EMD to assign an order number to these repair jobs. Atlantiv Coast Line 317 was the first of these, built under order number 7005, and D&RGW 5481 was the second, built under order number 7006, with these being to only examples of 7000-series numbers. The third and subsequent repair jobs used the newly established 8000-series order numbers, reaching from 8000 in late 1951 to 8085 in mid 1971.

During the late 1940s and early 1950s, many of the F3 units for several railroads were sent back to EMD for upgrading to the more modern F7 specifications. As part of the upgrade process, the units also received carbody side panels that match later F3 and F7 locomotives. Possibly the first example would be the first three A-B-B-A sets of D&RGW F3s, which were built as Phase I units. These units were sent to EMD in about 1951 (they were built in 1946). Their appearance upon return was very similar to what is known as Phase III F3s, with high radiator fans and later carbody side panels. Other features, other than their side panels, identify these units as rebuilt Phase I units, rather than factory-built Phase III units.

In the earliest known example of EMD rebuilding a D&RGW diesel unit, a photo in Denver & Rio Grande Western Color Pictorial, Volume 1, on page 99, shows FT 543 as having been rebuilt to an F3. The mechanical components of an FT and an F3 are very different from each other and it would have taken much more than a simple replacement of carbody panels. The photo is dated as being taken in about 1949, six years after 543 was delivered new in 1943.

D&RGW 5481 was wrecked in December 1950. The damaged unit was sent to EMD to be rebuilt and a replacement unit was completed in March 1951, under one of EMD's rebuild order numbers, 7006. The replacement unit was delivered by EMD back to D&RGW in March 1951 as a shell, without its major components (diesel engine, main generator, air compressor, etc.), but used the original FT-style trucks and traction motors from the original 5481. The same happened to Atlantic Coast Line 317, which was delivered by EMD under order number 7005, also in March 1951. This was done to reduce costs in the rebuild and allow the railroad to install salvaged servicable components into the reclaimed units. Both of these wrecked units were rebuilt with new underframe and new carbodies. A new underframe would be fabricated by EMD (and cabling installed) on the factory assembly line. New carbodies would have been attached to the new underframes. These are mostly new units from the F7 production line that share multiple features with other F7s built the same month. Both of these units were hybrids in that both old and new components were used in the rebuild. The replacement D&RGW 5481 was delivered to the railroad with a coupler to allow its movement as as single locomotive. Upon delivery to D&RGW the coupler was replaced by a drawbar, and 5481 was returned to service with its drawbar connection to passenger FT booster 5482.

The major difference between 5481 as an FT, and 5481 as an F7 was its modern electric radiator fans, and an electric dynamic braking fan. Theses fans on the FT were mecahnically driven by drive belts, and the newer F7 did not allow for mechanical radiator fans, or mechanical dynamic braking fans.

D&RGW 5571 was built in February 1949 as an F7A. This unit, along with F3A 5531, was wrecked in November 1953, and was rebuilt by EMD under order 8032 in February 1954 with F9 carbody side panels, keeping all of its other its late F3-era features, including the 36-inch dynamic brake fan. It received a 1500-hp 567BC engine in place of its original 567B engine. The wreck destroyed the unit's nose and cab area, and some of the side panels. Because of the later F9 side panels, this locomotive has been confused regularly as being an F9, which it was not. The unit retained its original F7 mechanical and electrical components until retirement and sale to Alaska Railroad in May 1970.

D&RGW 5531 was built in November 1946 as an F3A. Wrecked at the same time as F7A 5571 in November 1953 and shipped to EMD in four gondolas for wreck repairs. Like the 5571 two months before it, 5531 was returned in April 1954 with some components of EMD's F9 carbody, wearing the new Aspen Gold and four black stripes paint scheme. It was rebuilt by EMD under order 7516, with a 1500-hp 567 BC engine instead of its original 567B engine. The original F3 portions of the carbody retained included the high radiator fans and the dynamic braking rooftop hatch with blowers covered by chicken wire grilles.

Dual Gauge Couplers

The following six D&RGW diesel locomotives are known to have been equipped with dual-gauge couplers, for service at Alamosa and Salida.

All were equipped with stationary dual couplers at their rear ends, and a movable single coupler at their front end.

D&RGW 38 -- GE 44 ton (built in 1941; retired in 1964)
D&RGW 73 -- Baldwin VO660 (built in 1941; retired in 1967)
D&RGW 101 -- Alco S-2 (built in 1941; retired in 1966)
D&RGW 110 -- Alco S-2 (built in 1943; retired in 1963)
D&RGW 111 -- Alco S-2 (built in 1943; retired in 1966)
D&RGW 131 -- EMD SW1200 (built in 1964; retired in 1993; equipped for dual gauge 1966-1970)

D&RGW GE 44-ton 38 was equipped with dual-gauge couplers on both ends for service at Alamosa. The front coupler was the sliding design with two coupler locations. The rear coupler had three stationary locations for couplers to be installed.

D&RGW Baldwin VO660 73 was equipped with a air-operated dual-gauge front coupler, and a stationary dual-gauge coupler on the rear, for service at Alamosa.

D&RGW Alco S-2s 101, 110 and 111 were equipped with dual gauge couplers on the rear end, and an air-operated changeable sliding coupler on the front, for service at Alamosa and Salida.

D&RGW EMD SW1200 131 was equipped from 1966 until late 1970 with air operated dual-gauge coupler on the front end (long hood end) for service at Alamosa. The coupler was removed from one of four earlier switchers (VO660 73, S-2s 101, 110, and 111) that had been equipped for the same service.

The following comes from John B. Charles, via an email to the D&RGW Yahoo discussion group dated August 1, 2002 (message 26652):

The following comes from Woody Woodward, via an email to the D&RGW Yahoo discussion group dated July 29, 2002 (message 26611):

Locomotive Nose Lights

All new GP30/35/40s and SD45s were delivered with Mars-branded lights, except for 3129, 3130, which came with Gyralite-branded lights. The last two orders of SD40T-2s and SD50s also were delivered with Gyralite lights. (Jim Eager)

Pilot Snow Plows

In January 1953 D&RGW's mechanical department completed a drawing that showed the application of pilot snow plows to GP7s 5100-5113, delivered in 1950 and 1952. The drawing showed that D&RGW used a cast plow purchased from General Steel Corporation, pattern number 55648, at a cost of $1192.31 each, with a plow being installed on both front and rear ends of each locomotive. (information from Jerry Day, via email on September 10, 2008)

The drawing was in reality the document that recorded what had already taken place. Following is a list of each GP7's road number, and the recorded date that each locomotive received its two pilot snow plows. (information from D&RGW AFE 3036, from Jerry Day, via email on August 29,2008)

Road Number	Date Snow Plow Applied	Photo Research; Front End?	Photo Research; Both Ends?	Notes
D&RGW 5100	1 Dec 1952
D&RGW 5101
D&RGW 5102		Yes
D&RGW 5103	1 Dec 1952
D&RGW 5104	1 Dec 1952
D&RGW 5105
D&RGW 5106
D&RGW 5107	1 Nov 1952
D&RGW 5108	1 Dec 1952		Yes
D&RGW 5109	1 Dec 1952	Yes	Yes	Tintic Branch, 1954 (Green Light)
D&RGW 5110
D&RGW 5111	1 Dec 1952	Yes
D&RGW 5112	1 Jan 1953
D&RGW 5113	1 Dec 1952

For the GP9s, D&RGW 5951 and 5953 were equipped with pilot snow plows. These two locomotives were based at Alamosa in the 1970s and 1980s as they were equipped to operate flangers 052 and 062 from the locomotives' cab. (information from Jerry Day, via email on April 3, 2008)

The GP35s were delivered without pilot snow plows, and the plows were added later.

GP30s, GP35s, and GP40s in Trailing-Unit Service Only

A total of 56 of D&RGW's GP30s, GP35s, and GP40s were modified in 1972 to operate as trailing units only, by removal of cab seats, toilets and radios.

Nine of D&RGW's 28 GP30 units (D&RGW 3020-3028); none are known to have been returned to leading-unit status while still on D&RGW/SP

All 22 GP35 units (D&RGW 3029-3050); none are known to have been returned to leading-unit status while still on D&RGW/SP

Twenty-five of D&RGW's 43 GP40 units (D&RGW 3051-3075); most were returned to leading unit status following the 1988 merger with SP.

Radiator Spray System

EMD's radiator spray system on D&RGW's SD45s was used to cool the radiators in times of extreme heat, such as operating in tunnels. It was kind a predecessor to the tunnel modification of 1972. It worked by spraying water into the intake side of the radiators to add evaporative cooling to the air cooling that was already taking place. I don't know how effective it was, or how many roads had the system installed.

D&RGW used this spray system on all of its 26 SD45s, built in 1967-1968. In 2002, I had occasion to inspect an ex- D&RGW unit on the Nebraska Central in their shop in Grand Island, Nebraska. It was still equipped, and the shop chief there in Grand Island was glad to finally find out what the big vertical tank (about 48 inches high and 24 inches in diameter) in the rear of the unit was for. The spray heads under the radiators were still installed also.

Chronological Notes

News items and notes from various magazines.

September 1981
D&RGW borrowed CN GP40-2L(W) (Class GF-430c) for a short period in September 1981 to test EMD's Super Series creep control, a feature delivered on D&RGW's SD50 in 1984. CN 9616 and 9607 were used in helper service at Minturn for eastbound trains on Tennessee Pass.

January 1984
Conrail Units Purchased ... On January 16, DRGW management formally exercised its option to purchase the 23 ex-Conrail GP40's which had been leased since late October. The decision came as no surprise to railroad observers who had expected the power-hungry Rio Grande to snap up the units at the expiration of the lease. The price turned out to be approximately $85,000 per unit, which was a great bargain (we regret the erroneous reference last month to a grossly exaggerated $250,000 price which was furnished by a grossly unreliable source). Conrail, which had used the GP40's in high speed van service, wanted very much to buy them itself but was not permitted to match the DRGW bid. Contrary to earlier reports, the engines are actually in excellent mechanical condition. Most received new prime movers in 1981 or 82, and ten were completely rewired during the last two years. In fact, Conrail is widely respected for its excellent maintenance, and these GP40's received good care. About the only serious problems encountered in Rio Grande service have been a few traction motor failures, but these units have higher gearing than other DRGW power and will eventually be regeared in any event. For the time being, the locomotives will retain their present numbers, but, as they are gradually repainted, we expected them to be renumbered into the DRGW scheme starting with the 3131. (CTC Board, February 1984, page 30)

January 1984
In early 1984 the Rio Grande gave a number of units to the Missouri Pacific to run off horsepower hours accrued by MP run through power on the Colorado - Moss Point coal trains. One example was D&RGW GP30 3015 which was photographed sitting on the Texarkana ready tracks on January 31, 1984. (Paul F. De Luca, RailPictures.net, May 17, 2020)

(The coal-fired power plant mentioned above was the Plant Daniel power plant located in Moss Point in southeast Mississippi, and was owned by Mississippi Power Company.)

February 1984
New Engines Requested ... Rio Grande officials have gone to their Board of Directors to request funding for the purchase of 20 new units, probably in late 1984 or early 1985. Undoubtedly, the budget request will be approved by the board, but at this time operating department officials have not decided whether to acquire GP's or SD's. If SD's are selected, they will most likely be "tunnel motors," as that variant has proven very successful on the mountainous DRGW. (CTC Board, February 1984, page 31)

February 1984
Late December brought many sightings of Rio Grande units on SP trains in Southern California, including four blue ex-Conrail GP40's. Engines spotted were 3033, 3056, 3079, 3086, 3116, 3159, 3169, 3177, 3179, 5331, and 5349. (CTC Board, February 1984, page 31)

March 1984
Seaboard SD50's Tested ... On March 24 four Seaboard System SD50's (8502/8507/8510/8521) arrived on the DRGW at Pueblo from the MP for a one-week test period. The big gray units were primarily between Pueblo and Craig on coal trains, but they also handled some general freight. The railroad made it a point to use the engines as much as possible in order to obtain a complete analysis of their performance in the difficult mountain terrain. They usually ran in and out of Denver at night but occasionally made daylight appearances on the road, much to the delight of lineside photographers. The cabs always seemed to be well-filled with officials who were compiling test data. Although the Rio Grande has signed a letter of intent with EMD for the purchase of 20 SD40T-2's in the fourth quarter of 1984, it would still be possible for the railroad to switch its order to SD50's instead. Initial reaction to the SD50's was very favorable. The four units were turned over to the Union Pacific at Denver on April 1, 1984 where they will be tested by UP personnel. (CTC Board, May 1984, page 10)

March 1984
With scores of test personnel aboard, Seaboard System SD50's work east on a Rio Grande coal train at Crescent, Colorado on March 25, 1984. The four Super Series units tested on the Rio Grande for about a week before being turned over to the UP on April 1 for further testing by Uncle Pete. (CTC Board, May 1984, page 10, photo caption)

May 1984
Roster Update ... During March the DRGW sold its only remaining GP7 (5108) and five GP9's (5902/5921/5932/5944/ 5952) to Midwest Rail Corp. in Kansas City. The units left Burnham Shop in serviceable condition, which was quite a feat in view of the fact that they had been in storage for a long time. (CTC Board, May 1984, page 11)

June 1984
New Jordan Spreader ... Last summer the Rio Grande got a new Jordan spreader, number AX 45. Built in June, the spreader was immediately put to work along the Royal Gorge line. (CTC Board, December 1984, page 3)

July 1984
Conrail GP40's ... As the former CR units are being repainted, they are also being equipped with pulse crew alerters as well as 8-channel radios with the regular DRGW channels on the "A" side, and MP, SP and UP channels on the "B" side. Obviously, the units are expected to run on the point while operating on other railroads ... In response to considerable demand, the following is a list of all 23 ex-Conrail GP40's acquired by the DRGW showing original and subsequent numbers. The former Conrail units have worked out so well that the power hungry DRGW is reportedly considering the purchase of additional engines when and if they become available. (CTC Board, July 1984, page 15)

Conrail Number	Interim D&RGW Number	Final DRGW Number
3113	3173	3131
3115	3176	3132
3117	3172	3133
3118	3171	3134
3119	3178	3135
3124	3180	3136
3125	3177	3137
3126	3174	3138
3127	3170	3139
3128	3175	3140
3129	3179	3141
3153	3153	3142
3155	3155	3143
3156	3156	3144
3157	3157	3145
3158	3158	3146
3159	3159	3147
3160	3160	3148
3163	3163	3149
3164	3164	3150
3166	3166	3151
3168	3168	3152
3169	3169	3153

September 1984
SD50's Hit The System ... All of Rio Grande's 17 new SD50's have been shipped from EMD to Kansas City for modifications by a private contractor to bring the units up to Rio Grande specifications. Most of these changes are internal but external changes are being done as well. The most noticeable is the installation of a gyra-light in the nose as the units are delivered without this option. Also of note is the fact that the SD50's are equipped with very nice five chime horns which definitely make them stand out at grade crossings. Thus far the new units have primarily been used in coal train service handling as much tonnage as two SD40T-2's. The usual haunts have been on trains #711 and #712 between Phippsburg and Pueblo, Colorado. On September 30 four of the Super Series units were on train #712. Up front, 5501/5502/5503 with 5506 as the helper engine. (CTC Board, November 1984, page 4)

September 1984
Rio Grande train #712 heads south at Palmer Lake, Colorado on September 22, 1984. Up front, two shiny new SD50's; 5502 and 5501. After being set up by a private contractor at Kansas City the Super Series units have been used primarily on trains 711 and 712 between Phippsburg and Pueblo. (CTC Board, November 1984, page 4, photo caption)

September 1984
Rio Grande SD50's 5501 and 5502 were the first of the Super Series units to arrive on D&RGW rails and they made quite an impression early on. Here, the 5501 and 5502 handle a westbound near Rocky, Colorado on September 17, 1984. (CTC Board, November 1984, page 5, photo caption)

September 1984
Rio Grande SD50 5512 posed at La Grange, Illinois for the EMD photographer prior to being shipped. Of note is the fact that it is being delivered without nose headlight which will be applied at Kansas City by a private contractor. Other minor modifications are made prior to being turned over to the Rio Grande. (CTC Board, November 1984, page 5, photo caption)

October 1984
Old Units Stored ... At the end of October, all DRGW GP9's and SD9's (except for chop-nose 5305 which is still used as a switcher in Grand Junction) were withdrawn from service and stored at Burnham Shops. It is expected that they will all be sold or traded in due time; although a sudden upturn in traffic could send them back to active service for a while longer. The railroad has no plans to buy new power until such time as its application for a line to the west coast has been decided. GP30's will replace the first generation power in yard and local service. (CTC Board, December 1984, page 3)

October 1984
All SD50's Delivered ... By the first week in October, all 17 of the shiny new SD50's had been delivered and were hard at work hauling coal on the Moffat Route. From time to time a lone SD50 was seen in helper service pushing hard behind the caboose. Some of the big new units have experienced traction motor problems, and at least four motors have been replaced at Burnham Shops. Otherwise, the SD50's have proven very successful in the difficult mountain terrain of the DRGW. (CTC Board, December 1984, page 3)

January 1986
Business Car Renovated and Redecorated ... As it turned out, the car Kansas is ex-DRGW business car number 100, formerly named Wilson McCarthy, which has been extensively reconditioned and redecorated. In addition to exterior paint and polish, the once-spartan, three-bedroom car has been fitted with beautiful mahogany paneling throughout, and opposite walls have been covered with floral pattern wallpaper in a particularly tasteful and well-coordinated scheme. Dramatic original photographs of Rio Grande trains grace the walls, and several brass "0" scale models of Rio Grande steam locomotives are displayed in glass cases. The overall effect is extremely striking. But many persons -- especially old-time DRGW employees -- are justifiably disturbed that the historic name Wilson McCarthy was scuttled. On the other hand, the naming of this car, along with the other two Anschutz cars, after states now served by the railroad does make sense. Rebuilt from Prospector coach 1240 in 1951, business car number 100 was later named after Judge Wilson McCarthy, who was appointed receiver of the Rio Grande during its second bankruptcy from 1935 to 1947. When the DRGW finally came out of receivership in 1947 and merged with the Denver & Salt Lake, Judge McCarthy was elected president of the reorganized road. He proved to be an effective, dynamic and affable leader of the Rio Grande. He was so successful and popular that in 1951 the board of directors presented business car 100 to him as a surprise gift for his personal use. When Judge McCarthy died in 1956, the railroad named his former business car Wilson McCarthy in his memory as a token of its affection and regard for him. In view of the significant history of the open-platform business car, it is not surprising that a number of people are dissatisfied with its new name Kansas. (CTC Board, January 1986, page 44)

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