Denver & Rio Grande #315 Climbing Steep Grade
Brief pause in the Rockies causes a little wheel slip for D&RGW #315!
After pausing for a while to build up a head of steam, D&RGW #315 gets a little wheel slip before catching the rails on her journey up the mountain.
As part of the Durango and Silverton Railroad, D&RGW #315 is the oldest operating (Rio Grande) locomotive.
The Denver and Rio Grand Western Railway is a 3 foot narrow gauge railroad that dates back 1870 and originally ran south from Denver. The railway acted a bridge line on the transcontinental railroad and connected Salt Lake City and Denver.
D&GRW railroad was known as the highest main line in the United States topping out 10,240 feet altitude through the Tennessee Pass in order to connect the mining towns of Aspen, Colorado.
Some quick facts about D&RGW #315
- locomotive builder – Baldwin Locomotives Works
- build date – 1895
- wheel configuration 2-8-0
- driver wheels – 38 inches diameter
- locomotive weight – 72,000 pounds
- fuel – coal
Note: at 1 minute into the clip, you see the engineer gently ease her forward to minimize the wheel slip!
Let us know if you have ever had to opportunity to ride an excursion on this historic railroad. We would love to hear about your experience!
