The all-time Rio Grande Railroad diesel roster was mostly made up of EMDs although it did have models from Alco, GE, Baldwin, and even Fairbanks-Morse (FM). For a complete/all-time Rio Grande Railroad diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving D&RGW diesel locomotives will be categorized by original numbers the railroad assigned its units and where they are today, whether in operation, cosmetically restored, or in some state of preservation at railroad museums and tourist railroads. Also, just as something to keep in mind if you are not aware, while some locomotives may be painted/preserved in D&RGW colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of D&RGW heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of D&RGW heritage that are not in Erie colors).
The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, also known as simply the Rio Grande, is one our country’s most famous railroads. Its speed-lettering herald is likewise one of the most recognized of all time and people continue to flock to its scenic routes to travel trains such as the California Zephyr, now operated by Amtrak, and the Durango & Silverton, perhaps the most famous tourist line in the country which operates several miles of the D&RGW’s former narrow-gauge trackage in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.
While the railroad officially became a fallen flag in 1996 when the Union Pacific took over the Southern Pacific the railroad’s identity had mostly disappeared before that when its parent company Rio Grande Industries purchased the SP in 1988 and began consolidating D&RGW operations into the much larger railroad.
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
· Alco S2 #118: In operation on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway tourist line as Kentucky & Tennessee #102.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD F9A #5753: Preserved by the Colorado Railroad Museum as D&RGW #5762.
· EMD F9B #5771: Preserved by the Colorado Railroad Museum as D&RGW #5771.
· EMD GP30 #3011: Preserved by the Colorado Railroad Museum as D&RGW #3011.
General Electric (GE)
· GE 44-Tonner #39: On display in Stevenson, Alabama as a Mead Containerboard switcher.
Also, it should be noted that some former Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad switcher and road units continue to remain in some state of operation and in active revenue service with Class Is, Regionals, shortlines, or leasing companies. To learn more about the disposition of these locomotives please click here to visit The Diesel Shop.
While this list will continually be updated it certainly does not completely cover every surviving unit, which was on the Rio Grande Railroad diesel roster. So, if you know of any other survivors out there, whether they are parked and gleaming in a museum or sitting out in the weeds along a forgotten siding please let me know so we can keep this list growing, and you will be given full credit for your help. For more information on the all types of classic diesel locomotives consider the book The American Diesel Locomotive from author Brian Solomon. The book studies everything from classic to newer diesel locomotive models. In the entire book is a great resource and you shouldn’t be disappointed with it, not to mention that it is loaded with photos (many in color)! If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".
