D&RGW Chronological Passenger Car History

Denver & Rio Grande Western, including Denver & Rio Grande And Rio Grande Western

(Standard gauge only)

This roster is based largely, with extensive editing for readability and continuity, on Herb Danneman's roster that was published as a CD as part of "Colorado Rail Annual No. 33, Rio Grande Standard Gauge Passenger Trains & Cars" published in 2018. This is an excellent book with a multitude of photos and other information and is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in Rio Grande passenger cars and trains.

1887

Denver & Rio Grande

The first "broad gauge" cars acquired were five new Mail & Baggage cars purchased during the year at a total cost of $18,075. They were numbered as 600 to 604, numbers following the narrow gauge equipment.

The 1887 Annual Report also indicated a standard gauge "Directors' Car" was purchased for $11,774.31. This car (Maid of Erin) was a private car owned by David Moffat. It was purchased by the D&RG in October. It was narrow gauge until the trucks were changed in late 1890.

1888

Denver & Rio Grande

During 1888 the Pullman Company built 22 Coaches numbered 800 to 821 at a total cost of $120,763.15. Cars 800 to 811 were first class while 812-821 were second class. Coach 821 was rebuilt into Coach & Baggage car 700 by the end of the year.

Seven Baggage & Express cars were also built by the railroad during the year at a total cost of $21,483.42. The first car, number 650, was one foot shorter than the others.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1888

1889

Denver & Rio Grande

Coaches 819 and 820 were rebuilt into Coach & Baggage cars 702 and 701 respectively. Four standard gauge Pullman cars were assigned to the D&RG in 1889.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1889

Rio Grande Western

A total of 32 standard gauge cars were built by St. Charles Car Company in late 1889 to start the Rio Grande Western standard gauge roster.

RGW Roster December 31, 1889

1890

Denver & Rio Grande

A total of 48 new standard gauge cars were delivered by Pullman.

The seven remaining second class Coaches built in 1888 were renumbered from 812-818 to 900- 906 in order to keep the first and second class Coaches in a separate numbered group.

In December 1890 the Business car Maid of Erin was changed from narrow gauge to standard gauge.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1890

Rio Grande Western

Business car "A" was built by the St. Charles Car Company in May 1890.

Business car Nomad was built by the St. Charles Car Company in November 1890.

In addition a total of four Pullman cars and nine tourist Sleepers (405, 408, 410, 411, 424, 426, 428, 430 and 446) were assigned to the RGW.

RGW Roster December 31, 1890

1891

Denver & Rio Grande

Twenty-five freight-style "Fruit" cars were built by the Peninsula Car Company during 1891, and were carried in the passenger equipment lists until 1894-1895 when 20 cars were changed to refrigerator cars in regular freight service. The remaining "fruit" cars continued to be carried on the passenger equipment lists until 1924-1926. The folio diagram sheets show that these were freight-style cars, 34 feet long.

Two second class Coaches (915 and 916) were rebuilt into Coach & Baggage cars 703 and 704 during 1891.

Eight additional Pullman cars were added to the fleet including four buffet-sleepers.

Business car Maid of Erin was renumbered "A" during 1891.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1891

Rio Grande Western

A total of 12 standard gauge cars were built by Pullman and added to the Rio Grande Western roster in early 1891:

Second class Coach 101 was rebuilt into Business car "B" in May.

Baggage car 54 (1st) was removed from the roster during the year and replaced by a new car with the same number, as 54 (2nd).

Two narrow gauge cars were changed to standard gauge in 1891. Car 300 was a 2nd class Coach, while 301 became a chair car.

RGW Roster December 31, 1891

1892

Denver & Rio Grande

Mail & Baggage car 609 was removed from the roster during the year.

Rio Grande Western

A total of nine standard gauge cars were added to the Rio Grande Western roster in 1892:

The names of Pullman cars assigned is not known.

RGW Roster December 31, 1892

1893/1894/1895

Denver & Rio Grande

Sometime between June 30, 1894 and June 30, 1895 twenty of the twenty-five freight-style fruit cars were changed to refrigerator cars and moved to the freight car roster. Five cars remained as passenger cars, numbered as 1010, 1011, 1012, 1019, 1021.

Rio Grande Western

There were no changes.

1896

Denver & Rio Grande

There were no changes.

Rio Grande Western

Sometime between June 30, 1895 and June 30, 1896, Chair car 301 was removed from the roster.

RGW Roster December 31, 1896

1897

Denver & Rio Grande

There were no changes.

Rio Grande Western

Sometime between June 30, 1897 and June 30, 1898, Coach 214 was removed from the roster.

RGW Roster December 31, 1897

1898

Denver & Rio Grande

There were no changes.

Rio Grande Western

Seven new Pullman-built cars were added to the roster in 1898:

Between June 30, 1898 and June 30, 1899 Coach 300 (former narrow-gauge) was retired.

RGW Roster December 31, 1898

1899

Denver & Rio Grande

The first D&RG dining cars appeared with delivery of three cars from American Car & Foundry in June (750-Rio Grande, 751-San Juan, 752-San Luis) and a fourth car (753-Glenwood) from the same builder in November.

Two Coaches (830 and 906) were removed from the roster during the year.

Baggage car 664 (1st) was likely retired during 1899. It was listed in the D&RG roster #36 of January 1, 1900, but car 665 was renumbered 664 (2nd) in January 1900, so 664 was most likely retired in late 1899.

There was also a slight shuffle of assigned Pullman cars.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1899

Rio Grande Western

Three new dining cars named Ogden, Provo and Salt Lake were delivered by Pullman in May. One more named Utah was later reported as built in November, but was not recorded on RGW books as of June 30, 1900.

Baggage Express car 63 was delivered by Pullman.

Second class Coach 300, the former narrow gauge car, was retired between June 30, 1898 and June 30, 1899.

RGW Roster December 31, 1899

1900

Denver & Rio Grande

Eight new Coaches numbered 830 to 837 and six new Mail & Baggage cars numbered 613 (2nd) and 614 to 618 were built by Jackson & Sharp during the year.

Mail & Baggage car 613 was renumbered 609 (2nd).

Baggage car 650 was retired during the year and replaced by rebuilding Mail & Baggage car 604 to Baggage car 650 (2nd).

Baggage car 665 was retired during the year and replaced by rebuilding Mail & Baggage car 600 to Baggage car 665 (2nd).

Coach 825 went into Burnham shops and emerged as Business car "H".

Coach 908 was retired during 1900.

The two Pullman parlor cars (Rosalie and Dulcinea) were no longer listed in D&RG roster.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1900

Rio Grande Western

Pullman built eight more cars for the RGW in 1900 as follows:

Two former Utah Central (leased by the RGW in 1898) narrow gauge cars were placed on standard gauge trucks, or as the RGW stated "narrow gauge widened out." Utah Central Coach & Baggage car 70 was not renumbered and Coach 140 which became Engineering Department car "E". These two cars were listed separately in the RGW list of equipment.

Three other Utah Central narrow gauge cars were converted into standard gauge Stock Drover cars and given colorful names Bovine, Toro and Vaca.

RGW Roster December 31, 1900

1901

Denver & Rio Grande

Dining car "Denver" was built by AC&F in April 1901 at a cost of $14,183.95. It was nearly identical to the four cars built in 1899.

In early 1901 three Mail & Baggage cars (601-603) were rebuilt into Baggage cars and renumbered 666, 668 and 667 respectively.

"Passenger Fruit" car 1010 was removed from the roster between January 1, 1901 and April 1, 1902. The roster below assumes the retirement occurred in 1901.

Beginning with the roster of April 1, 1902 the Pullman cars were not longer listed, therefore the names of assigned Pullmans as of December 31, 1901 is unknown.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1901

Rio Grande Western

Dining car "Colorado" was built by Pullman in January 1901.

Pullman delivered two Baggage cars numbered 65 and 66 in April 1901.

Sometime between June 30, 1901 and April 1, 1902 Coach & Baggage cars 95 and 96 were equipped with a small (6' 7-1/2") mail apartment and became Baggage Coach & Mail cars. For purposes of this roster it is assumed the change took place in 1901.

Coaches 300 and 301 were now referred to "Excursion" cars.

RGW Roster December 31, 1901

1902

Denver & Rio Grande

In April two Coaches (907 and 911) were rebuilt into Coach & Baggage cars 705 and 706.

Twenty new AC&F Coaches numbered 838 to 857 were placed in service during the summer of 1902.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1902

Rio Grande Western

Pullman delivered another new dining car during the year. In the roster of April 1, 1902 the car was reported as "Cafe" car 500. In the roster of October 1, 1902 it was listed as "Dining" car 500-Pueblo. In the next roster (December 1, 1903) it lost its number and was listed as dining car Pueblo.

Business car "B" was renamed Wasatch, and Business car Nomad was renamed Denver.

In the 1902 D&RG Equipment Rosters the equipment of the Rio Grande Western was included for the first time. Thus more detailed information is available for RGW cars.

RGW Roster December 31, 1902

1903

Denver & Rio Grande

Two old Pullman cars Longview (Pullman 3/1872, Lot 10) and Parsons (Barney & Smith 11/1872, Lot 8) acquired by the D&RG in January 1903. The two cars were rebuilt by the D&RG into Chair Observation cars 770 and 771 respectively.

Three freight-style refrigerator cars (155, 166 and 168) were added in 1903, shown as "Bagg.-old refrigerator."

Mail & Baggage cars 606 and 609 were transferred to Baggage service (no change of numbers).

Mail & Baggage car 610 was removed between the 1903 and 1905 rosters. The car was burned in October 1903. It was listed in the December 31, 1903 D&RG Roster, meaning that the car was retired in 1904.

Six Baggage cars (670-675) were received from AC&F. New Baggage car 670 was wrecked in August 1903, leaving only five of the new Baggage cars on the year-end roster.

Coach & Baggage car 705 was destroyed in May.

Dining car 754-Denver was renamed Nomad (without the 754 number).

Twelve new Coaches numbered 860 to 871 were built by AC&F in September and October. Note: These twelve cars did not appear in D&RG Equipment Roster No. 3 of December 1, 1903.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1903

Rio Grande Western

There were no roster changes during the year.

1904

Denver & Rio Grande

Mail & Baggage car 610 was listed in the roster of December 1, 1903, but not in the June 1, 1905 roster. The car was apparently retired during 1904, after being burned in October 1903.

Baggage car 673 was wrecked in February.

Excursion Construction car 0776 was shown on the passenger roster between December 1, 1903 and June 1, 1905. A former narrow gauge excursion car -- now listed on the standard gauge passenger equipment list.

Dining car Nomad was renamed Montrose and also numbered 754.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1904

Rio Grande Western

There were no changes during the year.

1905

Denver & Rio Grande

Two more Coach & Baggage cars (705 (2nd) and 708) were constructed from Coaches 909 and 914 respectively.

Another Chair Observation car (772) was constructed from Coach 817 (2nd).

Three new Open Top Observation cars (780-782) were constructed in May for use through the Royal Gorge.

Coach 900 was rebuilt into Coach Baggage & Mail car 707.

Two Mail & Baggage cars (606 and 609 (2nd)), which had been in Baggage service, but retained the Mail & Baggage exterior were rebuilt in January to straight Baggage cars and renumbered 669 and 670.

Mail & Baggage car 605 (51') was wrecked in October but remained on the roster. It was rebuilt in 1906 as a 60' car.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1905

Rio Grande Western

Baggage car 59 was rebuilt in 1905 to a 60' car.

Baggage car 66 was destroyed in December.

Coach & Baggage car 99 was removed from the roster sometime between May 1, 1905 and June 1, 1906.

RGW Roster December 31, 1905

1906

Denver & Rio Grande

A total of eighteen new cars were built by Barney & Smith during the year, including nine Coaches (six for the RGW), four dining cars (two for the RGW) and five chair cars.

The three D&RG Coaches were numbered 872 to 874, but 872 was quickly renumbered 860 (2nd), replacing original car 860 which was wrecked in March.

The two new D&RG dining cars were 755-Pando and 756-Manitou.

The five new chair cars were numbered 914 (2nd) to 916 (2nd), 917 and 918.

Four Mail & Baggage cars (605 (2nd), 606 (2nd), 611 (2nd) and 612 (2nd)) were rebuilt by Burnham shops from parts of four cars that were wrecked or burned during 1905 and 1906.

- Two rebuilt cars 605 (2nd) and 606 (2nd) emerged from Burnham shops in May 1906. Original car 605 had been wrecked at Pando in October 1905. No information has surfaced as to what happened to the original 606.

- Mail & Baggage car 611 burned in March 1906. In October 1906 a new car numbered 611 (2nd) emerged from Burnham shops.

- Mail & Baggage car 612 was on the May 1, 1905 roster, and by June 1, 1906 had been rebuilt into (612 (2nd)).

Four new Baggage cars numbered 673 (2nd), 676, 677 and 678 were built at Burnham in May (673 (2nd) and 676) and June (677 and 678).

Three Baggage cars (653, 656 and 661) were "destroyed" in March 1906.

Coaches 820, 856 and 860 were dismantled in March 1906.

Chair car 813 (2nd) was changed to a Coach between May 1, 1905 and June 1, 1906 -- it is shown below as changed during 1905.

Chair car 814 (2nd) was rebuilt during the year and lengthened from 48' 0" to 59' 4".

D&RG Roster December 31, 1906

Rio Grande Western

As mentioned above two new dining cars (Nebo and Uintah) and six new Coaches (220- 225) were built Barney & Smith during the year. Three Baggage cars (55 (2nd), 65 (2nd) and 66 (2nd)) were built for the Rio Grande Western by the D&RG to replace cars with the same numbers that had been destroyed earlier.

Business car "A" was rebuilt at D&RG Burnham shops during the year.

Baggage cars 55 and 65 were destroyed in January 1906.

Coach 211 was destroyed in March 1906.

RGW Roster December 31, 1906

1907

Denver & Rio Grande

Baggage car 665 (2nd) was renumbered again, this time rebuilt to Mail & Baggage car 609 (2nd).

D&RG Roster December 31, 1907

Rio Grande Western

Two cars were acquired during the year with the acquisition of San Pete Valley Railroad. One was a Coach & Baggage car numbered 4, and the other was Coach numbered 14.

RGW Roster December 31, 1907

1908

Denver & Rio Grande

The merger of the Rio Grande Western into the D&RG required a massive renumbering of equipment which began in December of 1908. The great majority of renumbering took place in 1909 and will be covered in that year.

There were no changes during the year.

Rio Grande Western

There were no changes during the year.

1909

Denver & Rio Grande

Three new Baggage cars (682-684) were built at Burnham shops during 1909.

Most equipment was renumbered in 1909 as part of the consolidation with the Rio Grande Western. Even though there was a single uniform numbering system, both roads continued their separate rosters. The gaps in numbers in the D&RG roster are numbers assigned to Rio Grande Western equipment.

Coach & Baggage 572 (renumbered from 700 in December 1908) was wrecked on August 14, 1909.

Coach 933 (renumbered from 824 in December 1908) was "destroyed" in January 1909.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1909

Rio Grande Western

As mentioned above, most rolling stock was renumbered in 1909. A few cars were completed in December of 1908.

Two cars were destroyed in 1909, one was Baggage Express car 653 and the other was Coach 769.

The numbers were dropped from the three Stock Drover cars.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1909

1910

Denver & Rio Grande

The D&RG placed a huge equipment order to provide equipment for the new Western Pacific. These 109 cars (88 for WP and 21 for D&RG) were all owned by the D&RG. All 109 cars were steel and served a long and useful life on the Rio Grande.

Eight dining cars were built by Barney & Smith in April. They were named California, Humboldt, Nevada, Oakland, Pacific, Sacramento, San Francisco and Stockton. All were assigned to the Western Pacific.

Pullman delivered fifty-one new Coaches. Forty were sent to the W. P. where they were numbered 301-340. Eleven cars numbered 888 to 898 remained on the D&RG. Interestingly the roster of September 1909 showed there were ten cars numbered 888 to 897 on-order, meaning that one additional order was delivered later.

Forty new Baggage cars were ordered from American Car & Foundry. Thirty went to the W. P., numbered 101-130. The ten D&RG cars were numbered 686-695.

Ten Buffet Library cars were built by Barney & Smith for use on the W. P., numbered as 801-810.

Coach 873 was rebuilt into an additional Business car named Frederick.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1910

Rio Grande Western

RGW Mail & Baggage car 602 (2nd) was destroyed in November.

RGW Business car Denver was rebuilt, lengthened and changed to a Business car named Weldon for the Western Pacific.

RGW Business car "A" was named Sierra.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1910

Western Pacific

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1910

1911

Denver & Rio Grande

Coach & Baggage car 570 was destroyed on July 17, 1911.

Business car "H" was renamed Denver in January. Business car "A", which was to have become "J", was not actually renumbered and remained "A".

D&RG Roster December 31, 1911

Rio Grande Western

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1911

Western Pacific

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1911

1912

Denver & Rio Grande

Sometime between the roster of September 1, 1909 and the roster of June 1, 1912, excursion construction car 788 was renumbered 0776. Since the exact date is unknown, it is first reflected here in 1912.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1912

Rio Grande Western

San Pete Valley Coach & Baggage car 4 was renumbered 569 and SPV Coach 14 was renumbered 749.

Stock Drover car Bovine was renamed Kenilworth. Sketchy records indicate the car may have been renamed in 1911 or 1912.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1912

Western Pacific

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1912

1913

Denver & Rio Grande

Western Pacific returned a total of eighteen of the 1910 Coaches to the D&RG (302, 303, 305, 306, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 319, 321, 324, 325, 326, 330, 332, 337 and 338). They were renumbered 899 to 916 in sequence by the D&RG.

Two more freight-style refrigerator cars (1009, 1010) were added to the roster as Baggage cars.

Three of the four Business cars were renumbered during the year.

- Ballyclare became A-1

- Frederick became A-3

- Denver became A-5

- "A" was not renumbered (to B-4) until 1914.

Business car Weldon was returned from the Western Pacific and renumbered D&RG A-2 in October.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1913

Rio Grande Western

The D&RG apparently did a little housecleaning in June when six cars were removed from the roster. Included were Coach & Baggage 579, Baggage & Express 679, Coaches 761, 776 and 779, and Excursion car 789.

Mail, Baggage & Express car 601 was "destroyed" In August or September.

Business car Wasatch became A-6.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1913

Western Pacific

A total of eighteen of the 1910 Coaches were returned to the D&RG (see D&RG above for numbers).

Four Buffet Library cars (807 to 810) were returned to owner D&RG in November of 1911. Sometime prior to August 1, 1913 they were changed to D&RG Coach & Baggage cars 986 to 989. Based on folios, little was changed other than removal of the books.

Business car Weldon was returned to the D&RG and renumbered D&RG A-2 in October. It was listed under RGW equipment in Roster #10 of April 1, 1916 and is listed here under RGW.

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1913

1914

Denver & Rio Grande

Ten new 70' steel Mail Baggage & Express cars numbered 620 to 629 were built by AC&F and delivered in September. These cars had a long and useful life on the Rio Grande -- two lasted until 1965.

Business car "A" was renumbered B-4.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1914

Rio Grande Western

Baggage and Express car 667 was wrecked in July.

Business car Sierra was renumbered to A-4.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1914

Western Pacific

There were no changes during the year.

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1914

1915

Denver & Rio Grande

Two more Coaches (304 and 313) were returned by the Western Pacific and renumbered 917 and 918 on the D&RG. It is possible that 313/918 was not returned until very early in 1916.

Business cars A-1 and A-2 switched numbers.

Steel underframes were applied to all wood dining cars.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1915

Rio Grande Western

Steel underframes were applied to all wood dining cars. There were no other changes during the year.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1915

Western Pacific

Two more 1910 Coaches were returned to the D&RG.

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1915

1916

Denver & Rio Grande

By April 1, 1916 a total of 16 additional Western Pacific cars were returned to owner D&RG. Ten Baggage & Express cars became D&RG 700-709 and six Buffet Lounge cars became D&RG 980-985. Buffet Lounge 985 may have become a Coach & Baggage car.

Chair cars in the 925 to 946 series were in the process of being renumbered into a new 950 to 961 and 966 to 970 number series. The new numbers are shown in the roster below.

D&RG 985-989 Coach & Baggage, shown as Buffet Library in D&RG Roster #10 of April 1, 1916.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1916

Rio Grande Western

Chair cars in the 938 to 941 series were in the process of being renumbered into 962 to 965. The new numbers are shown in the roster below.

Coach & Baggage car 569 was wrecked and destroyed in May 1916.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1916

Western Pacific

Sixteen additional cars were returned to owner Denver & Rio Grande -- see above.

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1916

1917

Denver & Rio Grande

Chair car 756 was sold on January 26. Chair cars 755 and 757 were converted to work car service in October. Mail Baggage & Express car 608 was converted to work car service (0608) in October and 614 was wrecked on November 12.

D&RG 985-989 Coach & Baggage, shown as Buffet Library in D&RG Roster #10 of April 1, 1916.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1917

Rio Grande Western

Coach 760 was sold in January. Business (engineer's) car "E" was destroyed in April.

Stock Drover cars Toro and Vaca were dismantled in January; Stock Drover car Kenilworth was dismantled in February.

Coaches 758, 759 and 762 were converted to work car service in October.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1917

Western Pacific

There were no changes during the year.

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1917

1918

Denver & Rio Grande

Mail Baggage & Express car 599 was wrecked on October 12, 1918.

Five more Western Pacific Coaches (318, 335, 314, 320 and 328) were returned to owner D&RG and renumbered D&RG 919-923 respectively.

D&RG 985-989 Coach & Baggage, shown as Buffet Library in D&RG Roster #10 of April 1, 1916.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1918

Rio Grande Western

Baggage Express car 655 was destroyed by fire on June 16.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1918

Western Pacific

Five more Western Pacific Coaches (318, 335, 314, 320 and 328) were returned to owner D&RG and renumbered D&RG 919-923 respectively.

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1918

1919

Denver & Rio Grande

Chair-Observation car 542 was transferred to work car service in May as a Pay Car.

Chair and Baggage car 562 was destroyed in a wreck on November 9.

D&RG 985-989 Coach & Baggage, shown as Buffet Library in D&RG Roster #10 of April 1, 1916.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1919

Rio Grande Western

Coach 766 was transferred to work car service (0766) on July 1.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1919

Western Pacific

There were no changes during the year.

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1919

1920

Denver & Rio Grande

Car 540, Observation, reported as "Pay Car" in 1920 ICC inventory.

Five Buffet Library cars, 980 to 984 were changed to Baggage cars 730 to 734 in August and September.

Chair & Baggage car 561 was destroyed in a wreck on March 17.

Coaches 753 and 754 were reported as "dismantled" on August 28, 1920, and were converted to work cars in 1922.

Coaches 902, 919, 920, 921 and 923 were returned to the Western Pacific and renumbered WP 320 (2nd), 318, 335, 314 and 328 respectively.

Four Coaches (751, 752, 810, 818 and 960) were reported as "Outfit Passenger Cars" in the 1920 ICC inventory, but they were not removed from D&RG passenger car inventories.

D&RG 985-989 Coach & Baggage, shown as Buffet Library in D&RG Roster #10 of April 1, 1916 and 1920 ICC inventory.

D&RG Roster December 31, 1920

Rio Grande Western

Car 551, Coach Mail & Baggage, reported as "Coach & Baggage" car in 1920 ICC inventory.

Car 576, Coach & Baggage, reported as "Construction Car" in 1920 ICC inventory.

Car 604 (2nd), Mail & Baggage, was dismantled in August.

Car 605, Mail & Baggage, was destroyed on August 28, 1920.

Coach 749 went into work car service during the year.

In November Coaches 784 and 785 were rebuilt into Coach & Baggage cars 592 and 593.

Coaches 763, 765, 768, 770 to 773, 775, 780 and 782 were all reported as "destroyed" in August. They all appeared in the 1920 ICC inventory as "Outfit Passenger Cars." In 1922 they reappeared in work car service.

Three Coaches (774, 778 and 781) were reported as "Outfit Passenger Cars" in the 1920 ICC inventory, but they were not removed from RGW passenger car inventories.

Excursion car 790 was rebuilt into Coach & Baggage car 591 in March.

D&RG (R.G.W.) Roster December 31, 1920

Western Pacific

D&RG Coaches 902, 919, 920, 921 and 923 were returned to the Western Pacific and renumbered WP 320 (2nd), 318, 335, 314 and 328 respectively.

D&RG (Western Pacific ) Roster December 31, 1920

1921

Denver & Rio Grande Western

The Denver & Rio Grande was reorganized effective August 1 as the Denver & Rio Grande Western. It is reasonable to assume that the Rio Grande Western equipment roster was finally integrated with the new Denver & Rio Grande Western.

Three cars were damaged in the Pueblo flood of June 3, 1921. Mail Baggage & Express car 613 was scrapped. Baggage car 684 and Coach 819 were damaged and removed from service. By 1924 these two last cars were in work car service.

Baggage car 668 was wrecked on December 21, 1921

Coach 807 was destroyed by fire on December 29, 1921.

At the end of the year Mail Baggage & Express car 606 was transferred to work car service as 0606.

D&RGW Roster December 31, 1921

Western Pacific

There were no changes during the year.

1922

Denver & Rio Grande Western

In 1922 the D&RGW leased WP Business car Nomad, which WP had purchased from Rock Island circa 1916. It was finally purchased from the WP in 1925 and numbered 100. It will be shown in the roster at that time.

Renumbering of dining cars into the 1000 series was started in 1922. Roster #11 of April 1, 1923 showed only car names. Only car names are shown in the roster below.

Coach 809 and Coach & Baggage car 576 were transferred to work car service (0576) in November.

Chair Observation car 540 was changed to a Pay car (0540) in December.

D&RGW Roster December 31, 1922

Western Pacific

There were no changes during the year.

1923

In very late 1923 and in 1924 the Western Pacific cars were returned to the D&RGW and renumbered.

In very late 1923 and during all of 1924 a major renumbering of D&RGW passenger equipment took place. These changes will all be shown in 1924.

Excursion construction car 0776 was listed in the roster of April 1, 1916, but not listed in the roster of April 1, 1923.

1924

In very late 1923 and during all of 1924 a major renumbering of passenger equipment took place. All cars formerly used on the Western Pacific were being returned to the D&RGW and received D&RGW numbers. In order to regroup all similar cars together a renumbering program for Baggage cars and Coaches was started.

All forty of the 1910 AC&F Baggage cars were renumbered in order to fit into a single sequence from 700 to 739. Cars 686-695 were renumbered 710-719, while the twenty cars returned by the Western Pacific were renumbered 720 to 739. This meant that cars 730-734 (the former Buffet-Library cars) were to be renumbered again, this time to 740 to 744.

Wood Baggage & Express cars 696 to 699 were renumbered 684-687.

The 1891-built Baggage and Fruit cars 1001 to 1010 (2nd) were renumbered 635 to 644.

Excursion construction car 0776 was listed in the roster of April 1, 1916, but not listed in the roster of April 1, 1923.

Coaches numbered from 861 to 887 were renumbered into a 834 to 859 sequence. Single car 860 escaped the renumbering.

Chair cars 950 to 970 were renumbered 861 to 881.

In order to keep all the 1910 Pullman Coaches together, the eleven cars numbered 888 to 898, and all twenty returned WP 300-series cars were renumbered into one series of 51 cars numbered 900 to 950.

The Business cars were assigned numbers in the 100-series, but none of the cars were actually renumbered until early 1925.

Coach & Baggage car 578 was destroyed by fire on May 26, 1924.

Coach 778 was transferred to work car service (0778) in October or November 1924.

Coach Mail & Baggage car 550 was sold to the Western Pacific on December 29, 1924.

Mail Baggage & Express cars 609 and 611 were rebuilt during 1924.

Roster December 31, 1924

1925

Business car Nomad was purchased from Western Pacific in May and numbered 100. The other six Business cars, A-1 to A-6, were all renumbered to 101-106. Car B-4 was not changed.

The return of the additional steel Coaches from the Western Pacific enabled the retirement of some older wood cars. Nine Coaches (750, 774, 781, 812, 815, 818, 861, 862 and 871) were transferred to work car service during the year and one Coach (803) was destroyed by fire on the Grand Junction Division.

Open observation cars 791-793 were retired in November. They were not dismantled until early 1926.

The roster below varies from the 1925 D&RGW Annual Report by two Coaches.

Business cars were reported in the Annual Report as Work Equipment.

Roster December 31, 1925