Rio Grande 315 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Denver & Rio Grande Western #315 |
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| D&RGW No. 315 at the C&TS in 2008 | |
| Power type | Steam |
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| Reference | |
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Serial number | 14352 |
| Model | 10-26 E |
| Build date | 1895 |
| Rebuild date | 1998–August 2007 |
| Configuration | 2-8-0 |
| UIC classification | 1′D n2 |
| Gauge | 3 ft (914 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 38 in (965 mm) |
| Weight on drivers | 64,000 lb (29.0 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 72,000 lb (32.7 t) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Cylinders | Two |
| Cylinder size | 16 in × 20 in (406 mm × 508 mm) |
| Tractive effort | 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg) |
| Retired | 1950 (revenue service) |
| Restored | August 2007 |
| Current owner | Durango Railroad Historical Society |
| Disposition | Operational, used occasionally on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad |
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Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Locomotive No. 315
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| Location | 479 Main Ave., Durango, Colorado |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Architectural style | Narrow gauge Consolidation |
| NRHP reference No. | 08001008 |
| Added to NRHP | October 24, 2008 |
Denver and Rio Grande Western No. 315 is a special kind of steam train known as a "Consolidation" type. This means it has a wheel arrangement of 2-8-0: two small wheels at the front, eight large driving wheels in the middle, and no wheels at the back. It was built in 1895 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
This narrow-gauge locomotive first worked for the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad. Later, it was bought by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Most trains like No. 315 were taken apart for scrap metal. However, two others still exist today. No. 315 was retired in 1949 and was on display in Durango, Colorado. The Durango Railroad Historical Society worked hard to restore it from 2000 to 2007. Since then, it has been able to run again!
Contents
The Early Life of Locomotive 315
When the locomotive first started, it worked for the F&CC. It was given the number 3 and was named "Elkton". The F&CC stopped operating in 1915. Locomotive 315 and its sister trains were not used for a while.
In 1917, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad bought No. 315 and four other trains. They needed more trains to help with the extra traffic during wartime. The Denver & Rio Grande changed its number to 425. Later, in 1921, the Denver & Rio Grande merged with the Rio Grande Western. The new company became the Denver and Rio Grande Western, and the train was renumbered again to No. 315.
Where Did No. 315 Work?
No. 315 began its service with the Denver & Rio Grande in Alamosa, Colorado. It was also rented to the Rio Grande Southern railroad in 1926 and 1927. For the next ten years, it mostly worked in the Gunnison Division. This included areas like Salida, Colorado, the line to Montrose, and the branch to Ouray.
As newer, bigger trains like the K-27, K-36, and K-37 were built, smaller engines like No. 315 were used for different jobs. They often worked in train yards, moving cars around. Some older trains were even scrapped. No. 315 spent time in the repair shops in the early 1940s. It had a broken part and needed other repairs. The locomotive was finally taken out of service in 1949.
Locomotive 315 on the Big Screen
No. 315 actually appeared in movies! It was in the film Colorado Territory in 1948. This was just a year before it was retired.
Later, it was featured in the movie Around the World in 80 Days, which came out in 1956. By this time, No. 315 could no longer run on its own. So, another train, a diesel locomotive, pushed it. This diesel train was cleverly hidden to look like a baggage car!
Retirement and Display
After it stopped running, No. 315 was loaned to the City of Durango. From 1950, it was on display at Brookside Park. In 1968, the railroad officially gave the train to the Chamber of Commerce.
In 1986, the Chamber of Commerce moved to a new location called Gateway Park. No. 315 moved with them. Finally, in December 2000, the train was given to the City of Durango.
Bringing No. 315 Back to Life
In 1995, No. 315 was repainted. Some people, especially a model train enthusiast named Tom Mosher, were not happy with how it looked. Tom wanted to see the locomotive restored to its original condition. Sadly, Tom passed away in 1997.
His model railroad club held a memorial for him in front of the locomotive. They then decided to work on restoring the train. Their goal was to make it look like it did in the 1930s.
The Restoration Project Begins
The first work session happened in October 1998. The D&SNG's Museum Curator, Jeff Ellingson, helped with the lettering and checked the train's condition. The club soon realized the project was too big for them alone. They formed a group called the 315 Committee.
In 1999, this committee decided to become a non-profit organization. They named themselves the Durango Railroad Historical Society (DRHS).
A Dream Comes True
In 2002, the train's boiler was tested. It was found to be in good shape! This meant it could be made to run again. The DRHS decided to go for a full restoration.
On August 24, 2007, a fire was lit in No. 315's firebox. That evening, the locomotive moved under its own power for the first time in 58 years! It had a few small issues to fix. It even had to borrow parts from another train, D&RGW 223, to get going.
No. 315 made its first official test run on September 7. It pulled its first passenger trips later that month.
In 2008, No. 315 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical item. In 2014, the City of Durango officially gave ownership of the locomotive to the DRHS.
No. 315's Adventures Since Restoration
Since its restoration, No. 315 has run many times. It has traveled on both the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
In 2016, No. 315 went to the C&TS for a special event. The DRHS and C&TS decided the train would stay at the C&TS until 2022. It has been part of many events there. These include the 37th National Narrow Gauge Convention and the C&TS opening days in 2018 and 2019. It has also been used for private and public trips.
The train will need a big inspection by the end of the C&TS 2022 season. This is required by the FRA. The C&TS will help with repairs, like replacing parts in the boiler.
The DRHS in Silverton
When No. 315 is not running on the tracks, it is kept safe. It stays in the old Silverton Northern Railroad Engine house. The DRHS is working with the San Juan County Historical Society to fix up this building. They want to turn the area into a historical park.
Train tracks were put back inside the engine house in 2009. Since then, the DRHS and the Historical Society have rebuilt more track. This new track connects to the D&SNG line, making it easy to move trains. In 2019, two more tracks were built. These tracks are used to display the DRHS's collection of restored old train cars.
Restored Train Cars
The DRHS has restored several old train cars, including:
- Drop Bottom Gondola #871 (a car with a bottom that opens to drop its cargo)
- High Side Gondola #1400 (a car with tall sides for carrying things)
- Stock Cars #5564 and #5627 (cars used for transporting animals)
- MOW Outfit/Bunk Car #04432 (a car for maintenance workers to live in)
- 30 ft. Refrigerated Boxcar #39 (a cool car for keeping things cold)
- MOW Flanger #0T (a special car for clearing snow from tracks)
- Flat Car #6215 (a flat car for carrying large items)
Images for kids
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D&RGW No. 315 at the C&TS in 2008
