Newspaper Items
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway
This page was last updated on March 21, 2004
8 April 1881
Long item lifted from the Denver Tribune of the 5th, relative to the extension
of the Denver & Rio Grande into Utah; says that the D&RG bought the
Utah & Pleasant Valley in January or February of 1881; or, more exactly,
"…parties in the interest of the Rio Grande company, purchased the
Pleasant Valley road…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 April 1881)
12 April 1881
The D.& R.G. began grading on Monday in the narrows near the Jordan River,
at the Point of the Mountain. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 April 1881)
23 July 1881
Articles of Incorporation for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway
Company were filed on Thursday, 21 July 1881. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 July 1881)
16 October 1881
From the Provo Enquirer of the 15th: Twenty carloads of steel rails have
arrived this week at the depot, for the D. & R. G. Western line between
Provo and Salt Lake City. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 16 October 1881)
20 October 1881
The D&RGW received an engine from the east yesterday, Thursday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 20 October
1881)
21 October 1881
The engine the D&RGW received Wednesday was taken south
"yesterady," Thursday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 October 1881)
22 October 1881
"An engine for the D.& R.G. arrived in Salt Lake on Wednesday
last." (Wednesday was the 19 of October 1881.) (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 22 October 1881)
6 November 1881
The D&RGW has received an engine; another was shipped 25 October 1881, as
also 60 flats, from Denver; the Bingham line owned by the D&RGW and has
been for some time. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 6 November 1881)
12 November 1881
"Another engine arrived yesterday for use in construction on the
D&RGW. Thirty-six freight cars have also been received from Denver, and 24
more are expected, making a total of 60." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 12 November 1881)
16 November 1881
The D&RGW is laying track in Salt Lake City, and has a construction train
about ready to go. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 16 November 1881)
2 December 1882
Itemized Railroad Notes: Some dimensions of D.& R. G. (Western) depot
buildings, at Salt Lake City: freight room, 16 x 32; freight house, 32 x 75;
platform, 59 x 300 feet. Stack (shops), 12' square at base, six ft. square at
top, 95 feet high. Blacksmith shop & boiler room, 52 x 144 feet; engine
& boiler room, 25 feet square; machine shop, 62 x 144 feet; woodworking
shop, 52 x 190 feet. Turntable, 50 ft. diameter. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 2 December 1882)
29 March 1882
"On Tuesday fifteen car loads of rails for the Denver and Rio Grande were
received over the Utah Central. eight of the number were taken to the Denver
and Rio Grande depot grounds last evening." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 29 March 1882)
16 April 1882
The D&RGW track has reached American Fork. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 April 1882)
11 May 1882
The gap in the D&RGW track between Salt Lake City and Provo is now less
than 20 miles; work continues from both ends. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 May 1882)
18 May 1882
"The construction gang of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway are laying
track at the narrows by the Point of the Mountain south." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 18 May 1882)
28 May 1882
There are now some 14 miles remaining to be built in the D & R G Western
line between Salt Lake and Provo. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 May 1882)
31 May 1882
"NOTICE" "Denver and Rio Grande Western Railway."
"Seventy-five men wanted to lay track on the Denver and Rio Grande Western
Railway, west of Draper." "Wages, $2.25 per day; Board, .75 per day
Transportation Free." "Inquire at office on Main Street, Salt Lake
City. May 26, 1882 Geo. Goss" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 31 May 1882)
3 June 1882
D. & R. G. W. tracklayers have reached Sandy. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 3 June 1882)
10 June 1882
"The D. & R. G." "The Denver and Rio Grande Railway Co. is
laying switches and making preparations to build a station house, machine
shops, etc., where the line crosses the Bingham Canyon Railway track, near
Cooper's, West Jordan, when the line is completed to Salt Lake. All traffic to
Bingham and Alta will change at this point instead of Bingham and Sandy.
Superintendent Goss bought up quite a bit of land there, and the people look
for a small boom." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Herald, 10 June 1882)
11 June 1882
As of last evening, only 2-1/2 miles remain to be built. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 June 1882)
16 June 1882
"Connected." "The Denver and Rio Grande is now finished to this
city and has a continuous line from Salt Lake into Pleasant Valley. The track
was completed on Wednesday evening, and the construction train passed over it.
It is not yet determined when passenger and freight trains will be operated
between here and Provo, as there is still quite a little work to do. In a very
few days, however, freight will be received and in two weeks, perhaps,
passenger trains may be announced." However, the line between SLC and
Provo was completed on the 12th, as the party that went to Provo in the morning
on the Utah Central, to purchase the Utah & Pleasant Valley, did come back
to SLC on the D&RGW, lacking about 1500 feet of track in SLC to get to the
depot area. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald,
16 June 1882)
30 June 1882
Next week the D&RGW will begin laying track east from Clear Creek (later
known as Tucker,and the beginning of the new line over Soldier Summit. ed.).
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 June 1882)
9 July 1882
D&RGW has not yet begun running regular trains out of SLC on new line. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 July
1882)
13 July 1882
The D&RG ships material from Colorado to Utah via California, over the
Southern Pacific and Central Pacific roads, for the D&RG Western. Two 'very
heavy' locomotives and 50 large coal cars have been ordered shipped from
Colorado by the above route. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 July 1882)
13 July 1882
Freight trains are now running on the D&RGW line; passenger trains likely
next week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 13 July 1882)
18 July 1882
A new passenger coach for the D&RG is at the depot and ready for business. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 July
1882)
22 July 1882
Narrow gauge locomotives and cars for the Western from the D&RG passed
through Trinidad on Saturday last (that was the 15th) en route to Salt Lake
City via Deming, New Mexico. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 July 1882)
23 July 1882
The D&RG Western will begin running regular passenger trains tomorrow
(Monday) morning, to Pleasant Valley, Bingham and Alta. For the present, the
depot is at 5th West and Tribune avenue. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 July 1882)
23 July 1882
The first appearance of the following ad:
DENVER & RIO GRANDE RAILWAY
Notice to Passengers
"On and after Monday, 24th of July, 1882, trains will leave and arrive at Salt Lake from temporary station, corner Second South and Fifth West Streets, daily, as follows:
All points between Salt Lake and Pleasant Valley: Leave, 7:00am; Arrive, 6:45pm
All points between Salt Lake and Bingham Branch and Alta Branch: Leave, 7:30am; Arrive: 6:15pm
Henry Wood, General Superintendent. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 23 July 1882)
10 August 1882
In an item headed "Denver & Rio Grande," it is mentioned that
during the past few days 50 coal cars of 15 ton capacity were received, as well
as two 'immense'. locomotives. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 August 1882)
3 September 1882
A description of the D&RG Western facilities and buildings in Salt Lake
City. The depot block is that bounded by 5th and 6th West streets and 2nd &
3rd South streets. The passenger depot is to be 33 by 76 feet and two stories
tall. The freight depot is to be 23 by 320 feet (that's what it says!). The
roundhouse will be on the block south of 3rd South, below the depots, and will
be of 22 stalls for now, to be enlarged to 44 stalls when needed. Woodworking
shop, 53 by 193 feet, on the northwest corner of the roundhouse block, east of
which is the machine shop, 74 by 145 feet and having 6 tracks. Nearer to 3rd
South was the blacksmith and boiler shop. The coal shed, on the north side of
2nd South, to be 18 by 400 feet, on an east west line. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 September 1882)
17 September 1882
"The Denver & Rio Grande (Western) has received an addition of two
locomotives the past few days. Both are of Baldwin manufacture, weighing thirty
tons each, and having eight driving wheels. The road is getting well supplied
with rolling stock." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 17 September 1882)
24 September 1882
The D&RGW has received 27 'new' freight cars in the past week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 September 1882)
18 October 1882
The new line (D&RG Western) into Pleasant Valley and the. coal mines will
start at Fish Creek, 15 miles east of Clear Creek, on which the ties are nearly
all bedded and the rail will be laid in the next two weeks. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 October 1882) (ed. note: Present-day Scofield Branch, connecting with new
D&RGW mainline at Colton, originally known as Fish Creek, then Pleasant
Valley Junction, then as Colton.)
25 October 1882
Two snow plows en route from Denver for the Western. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 October 1882)
25 October 1882
The D&RGW roundhouse in Salt Lake City is now roofed, but not entirely
completed otherwise. The rest of the shop buildings are walled up to the
square; gable ends and roofs about to be commenced. The large chimney is 11' x
11' at the base, 6' x 6' at the top, and 90 feet high. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 October 1882)
15 November 1882
Reference to Pleasant Valley Junction, formerly Fish Creek; trains still
running on the old switchback U&PV line, but new line to be done in a few
days. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
15 November 1882)
19 November 1882
Item on D&RGW indicates that laying rail on new line Pleasant Valley
Junction to Scofield coal mines has been completed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 November 1882)
23 November 1882
Item says new D&RGW line from P.V. Junction to Scofield to go into
operation today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 23 November 1882)
27 November 1882
"Opening of the New Freight Depot." "The new freight depot which
the D.& R. G. Railway have been building for the last three months, is
finally completed and will be formally opened to-morrow (Tuesday) morning. The
station, which is built of wood, and the platform occupy a space covering 58 by
320 feet. The station comprises a freight house and a nicely fitted-up office
for the use of agent and clerks. Freight will be received up to 6 o'clock p.m.,
instead of up to 5 p.m. as formerly."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 27 November 1882)
28 November 1882
The D&RGW's new Salt Lake City freight depot to be opened today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 28 November
1882)
28 November 1882
"Description of the D & R G W Depot." The freight depot is 32' x
75', in which A. J. Lamborn, the Assistant Freight and Passenger Agent, has an
office of 16' x 32'. The platform around this building measures 59 x 300 feet.
The blacksmith shop is 52 x 144 feet; the machine shop 62 x 144 feet, with a
boiler and engine room therein of 25 feet square. Roundhouse will be one of 22
stalls, the master mechanic W. J. Brockaw; the planned wood shop will be 52 x
190 feet. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 28 November 1882)
10 December 1882
"A new engine for the Denver and Rio Grande, arrived in this city on
Saturday. It is No. 77." Saturday was the 9th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 10 December 1882)
11 December 1882
Railroad Chat: "A new locomotive for the Denver & Rio Grande road
arrived at the company's depot, in this city, on Saturday. It is dubbed No.
77." (Saturday was 9 December 1882.)
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 11 December 1882)
13 December 1882
City Gleanings: "A new engine and tender for the Denver and Rio Grande
road came to hand yesterday at the company's depot in this city." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 13 December 1882)
13 December 1882
The first D&RG locomotive to pass over the state line, west of Grand
Junction, did so yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 December 1882)
14 December 1882
"The D.& R.G. R. R. Co. are now preparing their new engine No. 77, for
active work." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 14 December 1882)
1 January 1883
The new Pleasant Valley Junction, formerly Fish Creek, currently has a
population of about 150. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1883)
25 January 1883
On D&RGW, an engine wrecked seven miles east of Pleasant Valley Junction -
killed were R. L. Jameson, engineer, and Wm. Lawrence, brakeman - wreck was
yesterday afternoon about 2:00pm. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 January 1883)
25 February 1883
"The Denver & Rio Grande, Utah division, has sixteen locomotives
operating." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 25 February 1883)
13 March 1883
Item notes that D&RG using a temporary depot - further states that the new
two story building is now being built in Denver and will be shipped to SLC next
month! (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 13 March 1883)
28 March 1883
The first engine crossed the Green River yesterday, on D&RG line. The
Denver 'Republican' will put out a special issue upon completion of the line to
Salt Lake City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 28 March 1883)
29 March 1883
"Completed by Tomorrow Night." "Telegraphic messages received at
the Denver & Rio Grande offices this morning, state that the bridge over
Green River was completed on Tuesday night. Five miles of track were laid
yesterday, and this morning work was commenced on the eight-mile gap. By
to-morrow night the road will be-completed, and the first train will be run on
Saturday. Col. D. C. Dodge has already left Denver and will reach Salt Lake
over .the "Little Giant" road by Saturday afternoon." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 29 March 1883)
30 March 1883
"AT LAST." "The last spike on the fine of the Denver & Rio
Grande Railway, between Denver and Salt Lake City, was driven at four o'clock
this afternoon." Friday, 30 March 1883; location not given. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 30 March 1883)
30 March 1883
"The Last Spike" to be driven today on the D & R G Western. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 March
1883)
31 March 1883
"The First Trains." "A dispatch from Denver states that freight
trains on the Denver & Rio Grande will commence running between Denver and
Salt Lake on April 2d and passenger trains on April 8th. The construction force
will be transferred to the gap between Salt Lake and Ogden, …, the intention
being to have through trains running between Denver, Pueblo and Ogden May
1st." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening
Chronicle, 31 March 1883)
31 March 1883
"The Last Lick" - at 4:00pm yesterday afternoon, the last spike was
driven. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 31 March 1883)
3 April 1883
D&RGW items -- the Alta tramway being readied for business; George Goss has
been Superintendent of Construction for the Western; and the first through
passenger train for the East will depart Salt Lake City the 8th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 April
1883)
3 April 1883
First through train for the east will depart on the 8th, Sunday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 April
1883)
4 April 1883
An advert for the first passenger train to leave Salt Lake, via D&RG, to be
on the 8th of April, 1883. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 4 April 1883)
7 April 1883
"The Difference in Time." "The running time of the D.& R.G.
will be Denver time, which is twenty-eight minutes faster than Salt Lake. The
train therefore that was announced to leave here at 1:15 to-morrow will leave
at 12:47 o'clock' Salt Lake time."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 7 April 1883)
7 April 1883
"A train consisting of an engine, mail and express car, two coaches and
one sleeping car, arrived yesterday from Denver over the Denver & Rio
Grande, in readiness to commence regular passenger service tomorrow, Sunday, April 8th." "The new timetable on the Denver and Rio Grande goes into
effect tomorrow." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 7 April 1883)
7 April 1883
"The new timetable on the Denver and Rio Grande goes into effect
tomorrow." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 7 April 1883)
9 April 1883
"First Regular Train." left Salt Lake yesterday; lead engine was the
"Embuda," W. H. Ryan, Engineer; second engine was the "Rito
Alto," George Sheehey, Engineer. Full list of all officials, passengers
& crew. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening
Chronicle, 9 April 1883)
10 April 1883
"Going East", the first train for which left Sunday, 8th, afternoon,
with two engines, the "Embuda" and the "Rito Alta"; one
express and baggage car , two coaches, and one Pullman sleeper - it met the
first westbound train at Bingham Junction. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 April 1883)
14 April 1883
The D&RGW is busier than was expected; "Calls for more motive power
are made almost daily on the Utah division, and new engines are being sent from
the Colorado division to supply the demand." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 April 1883)
1 May 1883
The frame is up for the new D&RGW depot in Salt Lake City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 May
1883)
17 May 1883
"The Railroad Racket at Ogden." "This morning about 10 o'clock
the Union Pacific Railway Co. applied for an injunction to restrain the Denver
& Rio Grande Ry. Co. from laying tracks in the depot grounds owned jointly
by the Union and Central Pacific Ry. Companies. Also to prevent the use of the
Union depot at Ogden." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 17 May 1883)
17 May 1883
Today was to have been the day for the D&RGW to begin operating its trains
out of Ogden, but owing to Union Pacific interference, the D&RGW cannot get
to the Central Pacific depot, 3/4ths of a mile from the end of D&RGW track.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 May 1883)
17 May 1883
First D&RGW passenger train to leave Ogden did so this morning at 9:47, but
as bridge not finished, passengers were transferred over the Weber river to
train on other side. (Pitchard, Ogden
Herald, 17 May 1883)
19 May 1883
"The Injunction Suit Amicably Settled." Suit has been 'satisfactorily
adjusted,' and D&RG tracks were laid to the depot last evening. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 19 May 1883)
19 May 1883
The first D&RGW train across Weber bridge yesterday; regular service
(passenger) will commence on the 21st, Monday. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 19 May 1883)
29 May 1883
A table of round-trip passenger fares, D&RG regular trains, from Salt Lake
City to: Wood's Cross, 75˘; Farmington, 1.20; Kaysville, 1.65; Hooper, 2.55;
Ogden, 3.00; Francklyn/Germania, 50j; Bingham Junction, 85J; Sandy, 1.00;
Draper, 1.20; Lehi, 2.25; American Fork, 2.50; Battle Creek, 2.70; Lakeview,
3.10; Provo, 3.40; Springville, 3.85; Spanish Fork, 4.30. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 29 May 1883)
2 June 1883
D&RG now building brick roundhouse at Grand Junction; depot just completed.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 June 1883)
21 June 1883
New D&RGW depot at SLC is nearing completion. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 June 1883)
21 June 1883
There is to be a third rail on D&RGW line Ogden to SLC, for benefit of
Central Pacific. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 21 June 1883)
24 June 1883
Plasterers are finishing up their work in the new D&RGW depot. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 June
1883)
13 July 1883
Special rate of $60.00 for round trip to Denver via D&RG, for the Denver
Exposition; in effect 15 July - 25 September 1883. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 13 July 1883)
18 July 1883
The platform at the new D&RGW depot is finished, and in use, although the
depot is not in use as yet. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 July 1883)
10 August 1883
Gen. Palmer has resigned as President of the D. & R. G. RR. Co. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 August 1883)
11 August 1883
Mail service on D&RG and Western began yesterday, between Salida and Ogden,
and is referred to in paper as 'salida & Ogden RPO' (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 August 1883)
14 August 1883
"The Denver & Rio Grande are constructing forty fruit cars for use on
their line, twenty-eight of which are completed. They are provided with
ventilators and every convenience for keeping fruit in good condition in
transit. These cars were arranged in the shops in this city, by changing a
portion and building others." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 August 1883)
2 September 1883
As of today, there are emigrant sleepers on all D&RG--D&RGW through
passenger trains. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 2 September 1883)
5 September 1883
"The D. & R. G. now runs emigrant sleepers." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 5 September 1883)
16 September 1883
The D&RGW has in process of erection a fine class of small depots at Wood's
Cross, Farmington, Kaysville and Hooper. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 September 1883)
20 September 1883
Henry Wood, Superintendent of Utah Division D&RG for past 16 months, has
resigned; he is going to the Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas Rwy. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 September 1883)
23 September 1883
Item on "Steam Shovel", which has been in use at D&RGW gravel
banks north of SLC; W. H. Lucas, engineer of same, has just taken it apart, to
be put in storage for the winter - loaded gravel at rate of nearly 100 cars per
day. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
23 September 1883)
25 September 1883
New D&RGW depot at Salt Lake City is nearly ready for occupancy. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 September 1883)
11 October 1883
The new D&RGW depot, in SLC, is rapidly nearing completion, and will
probably be occupied within the next week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 October 1883)
13 October 1883
"The Denver & Rio Grande officials and employees will begin to move
into the new offices at the depot to-day." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 13 October 1883)
20 October 1883
"Death on the Rail." Eastbound passenger train wrecked 4 miles below
Escalante, 98 miles west of Gunnison, on D.& R.G.; engineer Edwin H.
Godfrey killed. "The engine was the ill-fated 107, which went into the
river last spring with engineer Duncan, and by which accident Duncan and two
firemen lost their lives." The mail car was "splintered almost to
kindling…" The engine hit a rock on a rainy night, left cylinder "
torn off, &c. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Evening Chronicle, 20 October 1883)
27 October 1883
"New Superintendent Appointed" on the D.& R.G. Western; Henry
Wood has resigned, and W. H. Bancroft takes his place. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 27 October 1883)
31 October 1883
"Mr. Bancroft and Party" "At 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon a special
train arrived from the East over the Denver & Rio Grande road, bringing Mr.
W. H. Bancroft, the recently appointed superintendent of the fifth and sixth
divisions, and his party. The train consisted of Mr. Bancroft's special car and
a new buffet Pullman sleeper,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 October 1883)
31 October 1883
"The Salt Lake Pullman" "The buffet Pullman sleeper which
arrived at the Denver & Rio Grande depot yesterday by special train bears
the name of 'salt Lake.' It is not only a gem in the eyes of all railroad men
who have seen it, but it is by far the most beautiful and complete railroad
coach ever introduced in the West for public travel. It is fifty-three feet
long, weighs twenty-one tons and is elegantly fitted and finished both inside
and out. One of the special features of it is the buffet or side board, which,
in a space of four by six feet, constitutes a complete kitchen, cupboard and
larder, from which the porter can serve up a bounteous and refreshing meal on
short notice. An enunciator at each section places a passenger in a position to
summon the porter without having to stumble through the car in search of him.
The finish of the interior is highly artistic in general appearance and in
detail, and aside from these special points of excellence has quite as much
room and as many conveniences as are found on the ordinary Pullman car. No
other road except the Missouri Pacific has the buffet sleeper. It will be some
pleasure for D. & R. G. passengers to ride in that coach, and Salt Lake
people in particular, as it bears the name of their city." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 October 1883)
1 November 1883
The new D&RGW depot at Salt Lake City 'is just completed', and will be
occupied in a few days. The size of the building is about 40x80', and 2-1/2
stories high. Interior finished in natural oak. South of main entrance is the
baggage room, and south of that is express office. North of main entrance is
divided into two waiting rooms, one ladies and one gents, with ticket office
between. The telegraph office is on the second floor, as are offices in
general, with a three-room office for the superintendent. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 November 1883)
2 November 1883
"Arrival of President Lovejoy" of the D.& R.G. in Salt Lake City
yesterday, and is staying at the Walker House. Returns to Denver in a few days. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 2 November 1883)
6 November 1883
"New Sleeping Cars." "Six Pullman sleeping cars, of a new
pattern, will shortly be placed on the Denver & Rio Grande road. These new
cars are fifty-three feet in length - six feet longer than those now in use on
the line.- and are fitted with all the latest improvements. They are of the
same width as the ordinary broad-gauge car, and in addition to sleeping
accommodations, contain rooms where everything required to brace the inner man
can be obtained; that necessary adjunct, a smoking apartment, is also one of
the attachments. With such accommodations the D.& R.G. must soon become a
favorite road with the traveling public." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 6 November 1883)
26 November 1883
"The Time Standard." "Adopted on All Lines of the Denver &
Rio Grande." "The following order has been issued from the office of
the General Superintendent of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company:
"Commencing at 6 o'clock a.m. on Saturday, December 1st, 1883, the
standard of time for this railroad will be the 105th meridian (mountain time),
which is six minutes slower than the present standard. All employees of the
operating department will, at 9 a.m. on that day, set back their watches and
clocks _Six Minutes, and at 10 o'clock a.m. the new standard time will be given
from the Denver office. Employees must be particular to ascertain the correct
time." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening
Chronicle, 26 November 1883)
11 December 1883
'Castle Valley Station' will be changed to 'Price' in the new timetable. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 December 1883)
15 December 1883
New D&RGW timetable to appear, effective Wednesday December 19, 1883. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 December 1883)
16 December 1883
New timetable on the D. & R. G. effective Wednesday 19 December 1883. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 16 December 1883)
21 December 1883
"Buffet cars will be placed on the D. & R. G. road between Denver and
Salt Lake, on January 1st, 1884." They will be the only buffet cars on any
line west of the Missouri River. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 December 1883)
5 January 1884
The Railroads: "One of the new buffet cars recently manufactured for the
Denver & Rio Grande is now in use on the line. It is fifty-six feet in
length and weighs twenty-two tons. It has a lunch counter and bar in one end,
and each berth has an electric enunciator connecting it with the porter's room.
This enables occupants of the berths to call the porter at any time his
services may be needed, night or day. The carpeting is of the finest, and the
furniture of the richest kind. The car is so long and wide that the snow sheds
had to be widened at places and curves lengthened to permit it to run on the
line." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening
Chronicle, 5 January 1884)
10 January 1884
"T. B. McCammon, the telegraph operator at the D. & R. G. depot,
having received an offer of a position as train dispatcher from the trainmaster
on the Denver & South Park Railroad at Como, Colorado, leaves this morning
for that point to accept the position offered." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 January 1884)
12 January 1884
The use of the buffet-sleepers is delayed somewhat, and will commence on
Tuesday January 15th. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 12 January 1884)
13 January 1884
Bancroft has "Just issued" a circular stating that 'Castle Valley'
has been changed to 'Price'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 January 1884)
16 January 1884
"The buffet cars were yesterday introduced on the D. & R. G. lines,
and proved to be quite a success and a great convenience to passengers." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 January 1884)
24 January 1884
"The buffet cars on the D. & R. G. are highly spoken of…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 January 1884)
25 January 1884
City: "When the D.& R.G. train left this morning the Buffet car was
completely filled." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Evening Chronicle, 25 January 1884)
4 February 1884
Wreck of train on D.& R.G. Western, about 4 miles south of Ogden, yesterday
morning; engine wrecked and mail car smashed; Jackson E. Orr, messenger in mail
car, died of injuries. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Evening Chronicle, 4 February 1884)
5 February 1884
Passenger train on the D. & R. G. turned over Sunday, about three or four
miles below Ogden, account of soft roadbed. Mail car was badly smashed, and
Jackson Orr, messenger therein, died of injuries. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 5 February 1884)
9 February 1884
An item on a wreck on the D & R G Western, on the 8th, about seven miles
east of Pleasant Valley Junction, in which an engine turned over, and the
fireman, Charles White, was killed almost instantly. At least two of his
brothers are in Utah; Harry White, editor of the Park Mining Record (and the
reason this accident appears in this paper); and Ed. White, a clerk in the post
office. Charles was employed on the Utah Eastern, until recently. (Pitchard, Park Mining Record, Park City, 9 February 1884)
10 February 1884
Accident near Pleasant Valley, on the 8th, in which the engine and about a
dozen coal cars went over the bank. Fireman Charles White was killed outright.
Engineer Todd and brakeman Keeler were injured, but not seriously so. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 10 February 1884)
2 April 1884
City Gleanings: "The directors of the Eastern division of the Denver &
Rio Grande have no control over the actions of the Western division. The former
have dismissed Col. Dodge, but the latter prefer to keep him." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 2 April 1884)
5 April 1884
"D. & R. G."
"Colonel D. C. Dodge Issues a New Order to the Officials and Employees of the Company."
"Some facts were recently given in the Chronicle regarding the announced dismissal of Col. Dodge, manager of this road, and as the matter is growing very interesting to the public we give herewith a copy of an order received from Col. Dodge last evening from Denver:
Office of D. C. Dodge, Manager, under the Lease, of the Line of the D. & R. G. Western.
Denver, Col., April 4, 1884.
General Order No. 1
To the Superintendent and all Officers, Agents and Employees:
All Officers, Superintendent, Agents and Employees on the line of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway Company in Utah, are notified that the undersigned D. C. Dodge is Manager of those lines of railways and that reports must be made to him in the usual course of business or as he shall direct.
(Long part on his rights as duly appointed manager under article 10 of the lease, here omitted.)
Notice is therefore given that any orders by Frederick Lovejoy, President of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company, or any other officer thereof, assuming to exercise or interfere with the powers confided in the undersigned, will be considered an attempt at usurpation and must be disregarded.
Mr. W. H. Bancroft, with headquarters at Salt Lake City, is continued in office as Superintendent of the lines of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway Company in Utah, under the authority of the undersigned; and all subordinate officers, agents and employees will report to him.
(s) D. C. DODGE, Manager under the lease.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 5 April 1884)
6 April 1884
Paper prints the text of General Order f , dated 4 April 1884, in the which D.
C. Dodge asserts his authority to run, as General Manager, the D. & R. G.
Western Railway in Utah, per article 10 of the lease. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 6 April 1884)
15 April 1884
D. & R. G. Timetable #27 in effect at 12:01 a.m. today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 15 April
1884)
15 April 1884
D. & R. G. Timetable #27, in effect at 12:01 a.m. this morning. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 15 April 1884)
15 April 1884
A new timetable on the D & R G as of today; timetable #27. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 April
1884)
16 April 1884
"An injunction was yesterday issued by the Third District Court,
prohibiting the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company from interfering with
the rights and powers of Col. D. C. Dodge as Manager under the lease of the D.
& R. G. Western Railway of Utah Territory." "It is not thought
that this action will affect the operation of the road in the least
particular." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Evening Chronicle, 16 April 1884)
16 April 1884
An injunction obtained yesterday in Third District Court prohibits the D&RG
(Colorado company) or its officers from interfering with Col. Dodge's
management of the D&RGW (Utah company). (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 April 1884)
17 April 1884
Gen. W. J. Palmer arrived in Salt Lake City, yesterday, in company with Lyman
Bass, Esq., General Attorney of the D. & R. G. Western Rwy. Co. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 17 April 1884)
28 April 1884
Item reports that a man was run over yesterday at Bingham Junction, by D. &
R. G. engine No. 85. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 28 April 1884)
1 May 1884
Extracts from D&RG annual report, to 31 December 1883; mostly dry, but
listed the equipment:
242 locomotives
96 passenger cars
12 chair cars
2 Combination cars
2 observation cars
19 mail cars
29 baggage cars
21 express cars
2,674 box cars
447 stock cars
1,424 flat cars
1,252 coal and ore cars
44 refrigerator cars
86 caboose cars
8 wrecking cars
58 construction cars
The income account shows 'Union Pacific settlement, proportion … $ 114,534.06'
The earnings of the D&RGW were $805,767; expenses $802,026; for a net of $3,741.00; less rental of 40% of gross earnings, or a sum of $322,307.00, leaving a deficit of $318,566.00 for the year. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 1 May 1884)
6 May 1884
On Friday, May 2, engine 275 was wrecked between Pleasant Valley Junction and
Price; on Monday the 5th engine 60 was wrecked on the Pleasant Valley branch.
(see also Park Record, 10 May 1884.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 May 1884)
10 May 1884
"Poor Accommodations" "People who have occasion to travel over
the D. & R. G. between P. V. Junction and the coal mines are loud in their
censure of the company for not providing better accommodations. The car used
between the two places is said to be of the very poorest, and resembles an old
played out freight car more than a passenger coach; it is odious, too, and
several persons of veracity have assured the writer that it is unfit in every
way to be used as it is." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 10 May 1884)
10 May 1884
Two accidents on the D&RGW - Engine 275 on 2 May 1884, 'tipped completely
over' somewhere between P. V. Junction and Price; Jesse Brown, engineer and
Engine 60 off on the line to Pleasant Valley, on the 4th. (Pitchard, Park Mining Record, Park City, 10 May 1884)
14 May 1884
D & R G engine 49 in wreck one-half mile west of Thistle tank, yesterday
morning; engine into the river, and engineer James McCabe killed, the brakeman
seriously injured. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 14 May 1884)
15 May 1884
Brakeman in 49 wreck, Henry Hargraves, died yesterday afternoon in the
hospital. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 15 May 1884)
17 May 1884
D&RGW engine 49 hit a soft spot on the 13th, 1/2 mile west of Thistle water
tank, turned over into the creek, at runoff, Engineer James McCabe (?) drowned;
brakeman Hargreen died later of injuries; the engine was badly damaged. (Pitchard, Park Mining Record, Park City, 17 May 1884)
22 May 1884
The D&RG (Colorado) filed its answer to the D&RGW (Utah) complaint in
Third District Court yesterday. Said answer is some 161 pages long (!), and
while it appears that it is largely the expected mumbo-jumbo, the D&RG's
main point is that as the meetings which approved the lease of the D&RGW
were not properly called, any business transacted thereat (and especially the
lease!) is entirely null and void, and without effect. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May 1884)
10 June 1884
D&RGW timetable #28 effective 8 June 1884. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 June 1884)
17 June 1884
Bancroft received a wire yesterday afternoon, telling him that the Robideau
bridge, on D&RG east of Grand Junction, is out. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 June 1884)
20 June 1884
About 2-1/2 columns on 'The Railroad Row', between D&RG and D&RGW. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 June
1884)
3 July 1884
Petition for receiver for the D & R G W was filed in court yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 July
1884)
4 July 1884
A mile or two of track torn up by D&RG east of state line yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 July
1884)
6 July 1884
Grand Junction is isolated, with track torn up west of town, and a major bridge
gone east of town; Bancroft wired to Grand Junction that he would have supplies
teamed to town from the end of his road, at the state line, while the mayor
wired back that he and others would be only too happy to come and get the
supplies themselves. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 6 July 1884)
8 July 1884
Prices in Grand Junction have doubled. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 July 1884)
27 July 1884
Petition for receiver for D&RGW, withdrawn earlier, is renewed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 July
1884)
29 July 1884
D&RG car "A" going north over the Utah & Northern, with
General Schofield, U. S. Army, who likes the car and doesn't want to change. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 July
1884)
29 July 1884
Last night General Schofield and party went north over U&N, in D&RG
director's car. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald,
29 July 1884)
2 August 1884
There will be a new timetable on the D&RGW on the 17th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 August
1884)
13 August 1884
Two columns on 'Receiver Bancroft', appointed yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 August 1884)
13 August 1884
"Motion Granted" "Judge Hunter appoints a Receiver for the
Western." In District Court yesterday, W. H. Bancroft is appointed the
Receiver of the D. & R. G. Western Railway, in the fight between the two
roads over the validity of the lease. Col. D. C. Dodge made the following
affidavit: "I am one of the plaintiffs in this action. I have heard, read
and know the contents of the affidavit of Wm. S. Jackson made in this action,
dated and verified August 2nd, 1884, in which among other things it is set
forth that on or about July 11th, 1884, the said Jackson as Receiver of
defendant company took possession and control of the rolling stock theretofore
and still used in the operation of the line of railway of the plaintiff company
in the Territory of Utah; and that he is still in possession of said rolling
stock, subject only to the temporary arrangement for the use thereof made with
me as general manager of the D. & R. G. W. Co. as thereafter set forth in
said affidavit. On the 11th day of July, 1884, and for a long time prior
thereto and ever since that day, said rolling stock has been and is on the
lines of railway of the plaintiff company in Utah, leased to the defendant
company under the instruments of lease set forth in the pleadings herein, and
has been and is used in operating said lines for the defendant company; and
since the construction of said lines of railway I have been continuously
managing the operation thereof as manager under said instruments of lease, and
said rolling stock has been continuously used on said lines by operatives
employed by me and using said rolling stock under my direction as such manager,
and not otherwise. So far as I know and believe, the said Jackson has not been
in Utah since he was appointed receiver, and I have never known that he has
sent any agent or person, by him authorized, to Utah to demand or receive said
rolling stock. And no demand therefore has been made upon me, and I have no
knowledge of any demand on any employee using the rolling stock or any part of
it." "Through persons employed by me as manager under the lease, I
have had the continuous, undisturbed, actual charge and control of said rolling
stock." "The statement, or inferential statement in said affidavit,
of W. S. Jackson that the temporary arrangement mentioned by him, was made with
me, as general manager of the plaintiff company, is a mistake. I had long
before that time resigned as general manager of the D. & R. G. W. and my
resignation had been accepted by the Board of Directors. At that date I was not
nor have I at any time since been an officer of the D. & R. G. Western or
had or held any appointment, agency or authority of any kind whatever from said
company, other than the joint power of the two companies given by article 10,
of said lease of July 10th, 1882." "At the conference which led to
the temporary proposition set forth in Jackson's affidavit, there were present
Judge Hallett, W. S. Jackson and myself. The through line had been disconnected
by tearing up a portion of the track, and by reason of floods in Colorado
trains could not have run through, even if the track was relaid. Judge Hallett
expressed the idea that he could not then recognize the lease, and advised Mr.
Jackson to relay the torn up tracks and advised us both to make some temporary
arrangement for a through operation over both lines, and that the Utah line
should be operated so far as Grand Junction, in Colorado, until the Colorado
road east of that point should be repaired and opened. I said that if the lease
was not recognized, I had no authority from the Utah company, and no power to
bind or compromise it, and this led to the advice of Judge Hallett as
aforesaid; accordingly I made the proposal set forth in the affidavit of Mr.
Jackson. But it was distinctly stated by me that I had no authority from the
Utah company." "I did not sign the proposal because I had no
authority to do so from the plaintiff company, and I supposed I would not be
recognized as manager under the lease by said Receiver Jackson. The proposal
and temporary operation under it I supposed and I thought Mr. Jackson
understood, arose out of the necessity of the situation, and was without
prejudice and only intended to secure a practical operation of the lines of
railway. I have ever since operated the Utah lines as manager under the lease,
and all accounts, vouchers, etc., so far as I know, have been made in the name
of D. C. Dodge, manager under the lease. In the conference referred to when I
said I had no authority from the Utah company, Judge Hallett further said he
did not wish anything to be done to compromise the rights of the company under
the lease." (signed) D. C. Dodge." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 13 August 1884)
11 October 1884
D&RGW timetable #30 effective 12 October 1884. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 October 1884)
15 November 1884
"Receiver Wm. H. Bancroft and Traffic Manager S. W. Eccles, of the D.
& R. G. Western, went to Ogden this morning on a special train. The object
of their visit was to make an inspection of the work done on an extension of
their road from the Ogden depot to the central part of town, where a freight
depot is to be built for the convenience of the Ogden merchants." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 15 November 1884)
6 December 1884
To be a new timetable on the D&RGW on the 8th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 December 1884)
6 December 1884
Railroad Notes: "The Philadelphia and Erie Trust Company is building '200
freight cars to be used on the D. & R. G. Western." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 6 December 1884)
10 December 1884
A D&RGW passenger train, including engine, was blown over near Farmington,
this morning. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Evening Chronicle, 10 December 1884)
11 December 1884
A train blown over on the D&RGW near Wood's Cross yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 December 1884)
18 December 1884
"Fearful Accident" near Pole Canyon, yesterday; freight train struck
the caboose of a work train, three laborers killed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 18 December 1884)
18 December 1884
Three men killed in wreck yesterday at Pole Canyon, near Thistle. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 December 1884)
20 December 1884
Jury verdict in the inquest of the Pole Canyon wreck: "…a collision of
freight train No. 21, bound west, and work train engine No. 29, bound east, on
the D. & R. G. Western, at a certain curve on said road about three miles
below Thistle station, west, on the 17th day of December, at about 10:20 a.m…."
Deceased: Alex Wallace, O. Larrissey, Ed Worley. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 20 December 1884)
15 January 1885
"A number of large photographic views of the Denver & Rio Grande
scenery have been received and placed on exhibition at the City office of the
D. & R. G. They are taken by Jackson of Denver, and Savage of this city. A
fine view of the Salt Lake depot is among the latter's pictures." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 15 January 1885)
14 March 1885
"The D. & R. G. W. Park." "The D. & R. G. Western are
going to prepare the little square of land just north of the passenger depot
into a model park for the comfort of travelers as well as to beautify the
surroundings. After the grounds are shaped, pretty shade trees will be planted,
rustic seats put in, graveled walks made throughout, a fine modern water
fountain placed in the center, which will be supplied from the tank, and
everything added to make this in comparison with their .improvements along all
the lines operated. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Evening Chronicle, 14 March 1885)
10 April 1885
"The D. & R. G. Western have purchased several reclining chair cars to
be used between Salt Lake and Ogden."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 10 April 1885)
11 April 1885
D&RGW now has 'several' reclining chair cars in use on line SLC to Ogden. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 April
1885)
14 April 1885
Twelve pictures of scenes along the D&RG on display at the White House
hotel. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 14 April 1885)
18 April 1885
"The new reclining chair cars, in use on the Rio Grande between here and
Ogden, are becoming very popular among the traveling public." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 18 April 1885)
1 May 1885
Another chair car received from Denver for use on the Western line. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 May
1885)
13 May 1885
Jackson photos are displayed in the chair cars now running on the D&RGW
between Salt Lake City and Ogden. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 May 1885)
25 July 1885
An abstract is published of Judge Zane's opinion, in the D&RG vs. D&RGW
brouhaha - the judge is of the opinion that the lease is entirely valid, and
therefore the D&RGW has been injured by the conduct of the D&RG. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 July
1885)
20 November 1885
Bancroft has been east looking into 'new engines'; says that some expensive
purchases about to be made in that line. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 November 1885)
11 December 1885
Junius Young has taken a view of the D&RGW depot in Salt Lake City, having
the eastbound passenger train in front of the depot and in the foreground of
the view. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 11 December 1885)
1 January 1886
Article on the D&RGW says that "…in the past year, two first class
passenger engines were added to the rolling stock." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1886)
5 January 1886
"The D. & R. G. W. Net Earnings for Eighteen Months" "Nearly
Half a Million" "Receiver Bancroft has submitted the following
tabulated statement of the financial business of the company covering the
period that the road has been in his hands
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 January 1886):
| Earnings: | |
| Freight | $1,046,289.37 |
| Passenger | 282,782.58 |
| 44,414.27 | |
| Express | 53,533.03 |
| Miscellaneous | 10,226.70 |
| Total Earnings | $1,437,245.95 |
| Expenses: | |
| Maintenance Roadway | $290,233.70 |
| Maintenance Bridges & Bldgs | 45,286.90 |
| Maintenance Rolling stock | 115,532.82 |
| Conducting Transportation | 497,199.73 |
| Contingent Expenses | 23,936.37 |
| General Expenses | 46,?43.77 |
| Total Expenses | $1,018,232.69 |
| Net Earnings | $419,023.26 |
| Income Charges, less credits | 270,831.67 |
| Net Balance | $148,181.59 |
| Assets: | |
| Due from various agents | 32,748.28 |
| Material & Supplies on hand | 94,162.04 |
| Cash on Hand | 231,850.62 |
| Due from U. S. Government | 5,623.73 |
| Due from W. S. Jackson, Rec'r. | 22,319.04 |
| Due from Individuals & Companies | 4,440.19 |
| Due from Foreign Roads | 13,357.58 |
| Total Assets | $404,501.48 |
| Liabilities: | |
| Unpaid Vouchers | $ 58,380.54 |
| Unpaid Pay rolls | 48,497.36 |
| Unexpended Material | 10,901.05 |
| Inventory account | 120,656.79 |
| Paychecks | 16,511.72 |
| Unclaimed Wages | 1,372.53 |
| Total Liabilities | $256,319.89 |
| Assets | $404,501.48 |
| Liabilities | 256,319.89 |
| Excess of Assets | $148,181.59 |
30 March 1886
The D&RGW eating house at Green River burned completely yesterday morning
at 3:00am. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 30 March 1886)
13 May 1886
"On Tuesday morning, Engine No. 113, D&RGW, blew out its boilerhead
when the steam pressure was only about 80 pounds. This engine is one of the
oldest belonging to the road and had come in for repairs, but these repairs had
not been made. Engineer Pigman was in the cab at the time and in the act of
opening the throttle to start from the yard in this city for Ogden. He was
blown into the coal bunker but sustained no injury save a slight cut on the
forehead. The fireman was blown out of the cab but not hurt. The damage to the
engine was slight." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 13 May 1886)
25 June 1886
"There are three engines repairing in the shops of the D&RG Western
road, No.'s 7, 159 and 295. No. 7 has been almost entirely rebuilt. No. 120 is
in having her pins filed for new brasses. This engine and 119, the best
passenger engines on the road, were bought last December from the Denver Circle
Railroad for about the price of one locomotive. The Circle road had bought four
from the New York Locomotive Works at Rome, New York, several years ago. But on
their reaching Denver they were found too heavy, and the road was also too
embarrassed financially to pay the enormous freight charges of $1000 each, so
they lay at the Union Pacific freight house until the Western road picked up
two, and the Denver, Utah & Pacific road took the rest. No.'s 119 and 120
are fine steamers, economical with coal, and travel like birds, but the Rome
people did not put the parts together in very good shape." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 June
1886)
3 July 1886
"Local Railway Notes" "Ten dumps are being built at the D.&
R.G.W. shops to go to Bingham." There are 31 engines in service on the
D&RGW, and it costs $55,000 a month for coal for them. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 July 1886)
7 July 1886
"Local Railway Notes" "Experiments have been made on the Denver
& Rio Grande Western road with straight smoke stacks on freight engines. It
is found that these increase the force of the blast, but do not work well in
other respects unless the smoke arches are extended. Then the straight stack
works to a charm. On passenger engines the arch being extended does not seem to
make so much difference." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 July 1886)
10 July 1886
"The D&RG Western folks have a neat way of keeping track of their
engines. Colored discs of wood, with the numbers of engines on them, are hung
on metal pegs over which is indicated the different subdivisions of the road.
Thus by a glance from his desk the master mechanic can locate every engine on
the road." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 10 July 1886)
16 July 1886
"Local Railway Notes" "The Western shops have five of the eight
excursion cars under way, the men working thirteen hours a day on them. The
side curtains are of handsomely striped creton goods, which would look well in
a Pullman car." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 16 July 1886)
16 July 1886
"Local Railway Notes" "The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad is
delivering to the Western road rolling stock bought from the former by the
latter last spring. The deliveries are 16 engines, 240 gondola cars, 100 box
cars, 20 flats, 10 cabooses, 2 combination cars and 1 official car. Some of the
above are already on the Western road, so that the transfer in their cases is
on paper. Several engines the Western road have been leasing from the Denver
& Rio Grande are now being returned. What rolling stock our road needs
above its own property will be leased from the Denver & Rio Grande. Master
Mechanic Smith and J. G. Graham, the car accountant, are now in Denver
effecting the transfer." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 July 1886)
21 July 1886
Lake Park resort to open on 28th or 29th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 July 1886)
23 July 1886
"Local Railway Notes" "Master Mechanic Smith, who has been at
Denver and Grand Junction superintending the transfer of rolling stock between
the two roads has returned to Salt Lake." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 July 1886)
23 July 1886
"Local Railway Notes" "Three excursion cars for Lake Park are to
be finished tomorrow, and the rest will be out and ready to run by Wednesday.
These cars are painted a Tuscan red and handsomely lettered, and will make an
attractive train." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 23 July 1886)
24 July 1886
A wreck early last evening (which was Friday) on the D&RGW; the lead engine
of a double-header cut itself off the train, about 20 miles south of Salt Lake
City, and attempted to run ahead of the train, and in so doing overturned on a
curve. This morning, the wrecked engine was picked up and brought to Salt Lake
roundhouse. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 24 July 1886)
25 July 1886
"A Heroic Fireman" was Frank Bairisky, age 23, the fireman of the
engine that overturned in the Jordan Narrows on the D&RGW Friday. The
engineer was W. C. Barker, and Bairisky "…the fireman of Engine 21,
which turned upside down…" Frank Bairisky was also in a wreck at Thistle
two years ago, when his engineer was killed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 July 1886)
27 July 1886
The D&RGW out this morning with as new timetable, announcing six trains a
day to and from their Lake Park resort. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 27 July 1886)
28 July 1886
An advertisement/timetable for bathing trains on the D. & R. G. W. to their
resort, Lake Park, in effect 26 July 1886. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 28 July 1886)
29 July 1886
The first appearance of a very large advertisement in which the D. & R. G.
W. announces the opening of LAKE PARK, but the opening is not assigned a date.
Also, an article on the resort, by a Herald reporter, in which the size of the
various structures is reported. A large pavilion, 60 feet square, is in the center,
flanked on the north by a restaurant 30 x 60 feet, and on the south by a saloon
of equal size; on the west, a pier of some 150 feet in length, with bath houses
north and south of that. The railroad passenger platform was on the east side
of the large pavilion. A diagram was included. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 29 July 1886)
30 July 1886
"A Road Turned Over." "Mr. Bancroft's Receivership at an
End." "D. & R. G. W.'s Solid Standing." "The Receiver
Discharged and the Old Western Company Assumes Control Under the Funding
Plan." "An entry upon yesterday's court record, though couched in the
usual disguise of legal phraseology, conveyed the information that that portion
of the Little Giant route known as the Denver & Rio Grande Western, had been
handed over by the receiver, W. H. Bancroft, to the company. Desirous of
learning whether all the complications that gave rise to Mr. Bancroft's
appointment as receiver had been removed, a Herald man called at the D. &
R. G. office, and was successful in obtaining an interview with S. W. Eccles,
general freight and passenger agent, and J. H. Bennett, auditor of the
road." "The following circulars had just been issued:
Circular No. 1
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway Company.
W. H. Bancroft, Receiver.
Salt Lake City, Utah, July 29, 1886
The property of the Company having been turned over to it, and the Receivership terminated, the Railway and property will be operated by the Company after midnight of the 29th day of July, 1886.
W. H. Bancroft, Receiver.
Circular No. 2
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway Company.
Salt Lake City, Utah, July 29, 1886
Col. D. C. Dodge has been appointed General Manager of the Company, and the undersigned Superintendent. Until orders from the General Manager all employees will continue in their respective positions and report to the General Manager through my office at Salt Lake City.
W. H. Bancroft, Superintendent.
"The reorganization of the D. & R. G. proper, then, had no connection with the Western?" queried the reporter.
"None whatever," was the reply. "The management goes back into the hands of the same company from whence it went into those of Mr. Bancroft: Wm. J. Palmer is president; Geo. A. Lowe, vice-president; C. W. Drake, secretary and treasurer; W. F. Colton, assistant secretary; J. H. Bennett, auditor; and D. C. Dodge, general manager. The D. & R. G. W. is as distinct from the D. & R. G. as the C. P. from the U. P. They, of course, run in conjunction, and practically are the same route, but the organizations are separate."
"Will the local officers remain?"
"That remains to be seen. There will probably be no changes. Mr. Bancroft will continue to have control until Mr. Dodge arrives per appointment from the Board."
"It will be remembered that Mr. Bancroft assumed control of the road two years ago, when its affairs were plunged into apparently hopeless complication by the eastern company's repudiating its lease of the Western and commencing to tear up the track near the Utah border. That his receivership has been in all ways successful would appear from the showing of the company's affairs on June 1st, when he rendered a statement to the court. The earnings are constantly on the increase, and on the date named the Receiver had to his credit $250,000 in the bank. The company does not owe a dollar, it is stated; all legal complications are removed, and the earnings are constantly on the increase. The future interests on the bonds will be promptly met."
"In reply to the reporter's query, Mr. Bennett said: "The matter stands thus: the majority of the bondholders having assented to the funding plan, as proposed by the company, in August 1885, the success of the same is now assured. The earnings of the railway are steadily increasing and prospects for its future are excellent."
(Note: entirely an exact quote of the item from the Herald of 30 July 1886. GEP)
30 July 1886
Receiver Bancroft of the D&RGW was discharged by the Court yesterday, and
the railway turned over to the company; Bancroft will now be superintendent. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 July
1886)
30 July 1886
D&RGW engine 119, 'one of the smartest on the road,' handled 16 cars on
passenger train #8 yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 July 1886)
4 August 1886
W. H. Bancroft filed the following with the court (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 4 August 1886):
STATEMENT
Earnings and Expenses, and Assets and Liabilities, July 12th, 1884, to June 30th, 1886.
| Earnings | ||
| Freight | $1.,422,9229.83 | |
| Passenger | 401,100.33 | |
| 63,083.56 | ||
| Express | 80,022.91 | |
| Miscellaneous | 12,585.37 | $1,979,022.00 |
| Expenses | ||
| Maintaining Roadway | $ 369,906.78 | |
| Maintaining Bridges & Buildings | 53,619.03 | |
| Maintaining Rolling Stock | 173,704.27 | |
| Conducting Transportation | 703,020.61 | |
| Contingent Expenses | 32,357.88 | |
| General Expenses | 67,479.44 | $1,401,088.01 |
| Net Earnings | $ 577,933.99 | |
| Income Charges | ||
| Loss and Gain | $ 56.30 | |
| Rental Equipment | 78,044.41 | |
| Additional Equipment | 10,261.53 | |
| Additional Construction | 258,488.41 | |
| Taxes and Insurance | 29,713.39 | $ 376,564.04 |
| Income Credits | ||
| Pool Account | $ 22,213.18 | |
| Discount on company scrip | 42.79 | |
| Interest | 2,375.38 | $ 24,631.35 |
| (subtotal) | $ 351,932.69 | |
| Net Balance | 226,001.30 | |
| $ 577,933.99 | ||
| Assets and Liabilities | ||
| Assets | Liabilities | |
| Due from various agents | $ 370 19.27 | |
| Material & Supplies on hand | 83,353.02 | |
| Cash on hand | 323,142.58 | |
| Due from U. S. | 8,981.83 | |
| Due from W. S. Jackson, Receiver | 14,962.90 | |
| Due from Individuals & Companies | 5,964.46 | |
| Due to Foreign Roads | $ 10,985.75 | |
| Unpaid Vouchers | 37,999.51 | |
| Unpaid Pay Rolls | 50,025.34 | |
| Unexpended Material | 10,901.05 | |
| Inventory Account | 120,656.79 | |
| Pay Checks | 15,477.48 | |
| Unclaimed wages | 1,676.64 | |
| Assets in excess of Liabilities | 226,001.30 | |
| $473.723.86 | $473,723.86 |
12 August 1886
Problem with locomotive 71 at Pleasant Valley; left valve stem broke, so main
rod dropped and crosshead blocked; the block worked loose, suddenly, piston
blew out the rear of the cylinder and made a mess of everything on the left
side generally. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 12 August 1886)
18 August 1886
"Local Railway Notes" "The Western road is about to build
fifteen box cars. Both Rio Grande roads are using all their rolling stock
constantly, so heavy is both freight and passenger traffic." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 August 1886)
20 August 1886
S. W. Eccles resigns, effective 1 September 1886, from his post as General
Freight and Passenger Agent of the D. & R. G. Western; he is so quoted in
an interview published by the Herald. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 20 August 1886)
27 August 1886
"Engine No. 9 has been rebuilt at the Western shops and steams out
today." "Engine 165, for a long time running between Green River and
Grand Junction, is in the local roundhouse for repairs. Her number is being
changed to 22." "The transfer of rolling stock from the D&RG to
the Western road will be completed this month. The painters are busy adding
'Western' to D&RG on all the stock." "The average life of a
locomotive is thirty years. At the end of eleven years, a sum equal to the
original cost has been expended upon it. An engine is considered as doing good
service if it runs 250 days in the year." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 August 1886)
17 September 1886
Car 'Trinidad' has been in the shops, as also engine 70, which came out last
evening, almost entirely rebuilt. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 September 1886)
18 September 1886
Bancroft left yesterday for Denver in the 'Trinidad'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 September 1886)
25 September 1886
The turntable at Bingham broke to one side, with engine 72 on it, the natural
result being that 72 went into the pit, but was not badly hurt. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 September 1886)
14 October 1886
"No. 31, passenger engine of the Western road, is just out of the shops
from a thorough overhauling. She looks fine in her fur-lined circular of coal
black and varnish, and the red-shaded lettering adds materially to her looks.
But she needs her drivers and straight stack painted vermilion 'to complete the
picture'." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 14 October 1886)
23 October 1886
D&RGW engine 77 has just been overhauled, at a cost of $800.00; passenger
engine 30 now goes in for a general
overhaul. The Western had in service in September 35 engines. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 October
1886)
17 November 1886
"Passenger engine No. 30 has been in the Western shops for remodeling, and
when out in three days, will be a model machine. New guides, crossheads, yoke,
eccentric-gearing, and cylinder heads have been substituted for the old, much
to the engine's improvement both in strength and looks. No. 30 is one of the
Rome, New York, engines. There are also two heavy freight engines in for
rebuilding." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 17 November 1886)
15 December 1886
"The D&RW roundhouse was photographed Monday with an engine on the
turntable and the hands standing around just looking their lovliest." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 December 1886)
26 December 1886
"Freight engine 102 of the Western road is just out of the shops…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 December 1886)
1 January 1887
The D&RGW has in use 34 locomotives, of which 23 were overhauled in the
past year. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 1 January 1887)
16 January 1887
Item on snow-fighting on the D&RGW, from interview with Bancroft - he says
that 3 years ago he first saw a flanger in operation, on the Utah Central,
liked what it did, and had one built for the D&RGW, their first. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 January 1887)
19 January 1887
D&RGW freight engines 73 and 110 in being overhauled. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 January 1887)
12 March 1887
"D. & R. G. Western passenger engine No. 20 is just out of the
shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 12 March 1887)
23 March 1887
Pullman has built six new cars for the D&RG, six feet longer and a bit
wider than the common, with wider upper berths; three of them now in use
between Denver and Leadville. (I think this is a belated reference to the
narrow gauge buffet-sleepers, as no wide gauge sleepers appear on the D&RG
until mid-1889; see 25 April 1889.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 March 1887)
5 April 1887
The D&RGW has one engine with a three-chime whistle, a new thing; others
have but one chime. The U.P.'s new engines have the three-chime, as well. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 April
1887)
30 April 1887
S. W. Eccles, once General freight & passenger Agent of the D&RG
Western, and for the past six months now U. P. freight agent at San Francisco,
is in SLC briefly. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 30 Apr 1887)
29 May 1887
Lake Park opened yesterday for the season, its second. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 May 1887)
10 July 1887
"Local Railway Notes." "Dolly W., engine 108, was out yesterday
to limber up after repairs from her recent trip into the ditch at Sevier
crossing, when she knocked the energy out of three or four box cars." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 July
1887)
24 July 1887
Pleasant Valley mines supply the coal for the Nevada Central. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 July
1887)
14 September 1887
Lake Park will close for the season after Saturday, the 17th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 September 1887)
20 October 1887
"Local Railway Notes." "Dr. Fowler left on a special at 8:15 a.m.,
.yesterday, for P. V. Junction… The engineer of the train was Ben Estes, and
the engine No. 9, one of the smallest on the road and having only 36-inch
drivers." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 20 October 1887)
7 December 1887
"Local Railway Notes." "Revere station has been opened to
freight, passenger and express business, with A. O. Davis as agent. This
station is on the Bingham road below the mouth of the canyon, and is the
shipping point for ores on the side of the Brooklyn, Yosemite, and mines of
that locality." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 7 December 1887)
15 December 1887
"Local Railway Notes" "D. & R. G. W. engines Nos. 6 and 20
are having new boilers made, and a new arrangement of 20's springs is being
made so that they will be much more accessible than heretofore." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 December 1887)
21 December 1887
"The D. & R. G. now runs coal trains over the Salt Lake & Fort
Douglas as far as the bluff east of Butcherville. It is a great convenience to
the residents of that locality." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 December 1887)
4 February 1888
New D&RGW timetable to take effect 12:01am 5 February 1888. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 February 1888)
14 February 1888
Item-lifted from a Denver paper about D&RG engine 'salida', one of new
standard gauge engines. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 14 February 1888)
20 May 1888
New timetable on the D&RGW effective 12:01 am 20 May 1888. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 May
1888)
21 July 1888
An item on the air brake instruction car, built this spring by the D&RG,
and presently in the D&RGW yard; in charge of C. E. Leeman, instructor. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 July 1888)
19 August 1888
New timetable on D&RGW to take effect 20 August 1888. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 August 1888)
16 September 1888
Another new timetable on the D&RGW this morning at 12:0lam. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 September 1888)
13 October 1888
New timetable on the D&RGW in effect 12:0l am Monday 15 October 1888. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 October 1888)
30 November 1888
Accident yesterday at Pleasant Valley Junction, in that Engine 110 ran through
an open switch, turned over and killed fireman David Goodman. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 November
1888)
5 December 1888
The D&RG has received 12 large standard gauge engines from Baldwin. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 December 1888)
23 December 1888
D&RGW Timetable #50 in effect 12:0lam Sunday 23 December 1888. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 December 1888)
29 January 1889
A sleeper was set on fire, apparently by the cook, in the D&RGW yard a day
or two ago; about $1000 in damage. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 January 1889)
6 March 1889
The D&RG has just received two rotary snow plows from Paterson, N.J. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 March
1889)
16 March 1889
Bases for standard gauge rails being put into D&RGW's Salt Lake City
roundhouse. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 16 March 1889)
25 April 1889
Two standard gauge Pullman buffet-sleepers in service on D&RG out of
Denver. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 25 April 1889)
3 May 1889
Short item notes that there are two new sleepers on the D&RG standard
gauge, named 'Poncha' and 'Pinion'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 3 May 1889)
16 May 1889
D&RGW roundhouse now has narrow and standard gauge tracks, four-rail type. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 May
1889)
6 July 1889
Dodge says Denver & Rio Grande Western name changed to Rio Grande Western
on 20 June 1889. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 6 July 1889)
19 June 1913
"Spectacular Fire Razes Denver & Rio Grande Car Shops; Loss is
Estimated at Half Million," in a fire that was yesterday, the 18th, the
alarm being turned in at 7:33 p.m. Fire is stated to have started in the Paint
shop, and destroyed that as well as the blacksmith shop, planing mill, pattern
shop, car foreman's office and all records, and 25 box cars and six passenger
cars that were in the paint shop at the time of the fire. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 19 June 1913)
