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Rio Grande Railroad Steam LocomotivesThe classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! Rio Grande Railroad steam locomotives were likewise distinguished by a wide range of classes from C to T for standard gauge (it's narrow-gauge fleet was a mix of numerical and alphabetical digits). In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of the D&RGW's steam fleet (both standard and narrow gauge) and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.
The Rio Grande has become iconic for many things and its steam fleet is one reason for its vaunted status. Not only did the D&RGW operate gargantuan standard gauge steam locomotives that included 4-8-8-4 Challengers, 2-8-8-2s, and 2-6-6-2s but also rostered a large fleet of narrow-gauge steamers for its narrow-gauge operations in southern Colorado and northeastern New Mexico the largest of which were 2-8-8-2 Mallets. Today, many of these narrow-gauge steamers remained preserved and in operation on one of two tourist railroads the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad. To learn more about surviving Rio Grande Railroad steam locomotives please click here. The D&RGW's Class C included its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations. The D&RGW's Class F-81 included its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes. The D&RGW's Class L included its fleet of massive articulateds; 2-6-6-2s, 2-8-8-2s, and 4-8-8-4 Challengers. The D&RGW's Class M included its fleet of 4-8-4 Northerns (which were known as Westerns by the Rio Grande) and 4-8-2 Mountains. The D&RGW's Class P-44 included its only fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics. The D&RGW's Class T included its fleet of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers.
The D&RGW's Class 25 included its fleet of 2-4-0 Porters. These classes designated the Rio Grande's fleet fleet of 2-6-0 Moguls. These classes designated the Rio Grande's fleet of 4-4-0 Americans. The D&RGW's Class 45 ½ included its fleet of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers. These classes designated the Rio Grande's fleet fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations. The D&RGW's Class 62 designated its unique 0-4-4-0T "Fairlie". The D&RGW's Class C designated more of its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations including Class C-16, C-18, C-19, and C-21. The D&RGW's Class K designated its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados including Class K-27, K-28, K-36, and K-37. The D&RGW's Class L designated its fleet of 2-8-8-2 Mallets including Class L-53 and L-75. The D&RGW's Class T-12 included a roster of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers.
For more reading about the Rio Grande you might want to consider the book Rio Grande Railroad from James Griffin. The book gives a superb general overview of the railroad and is filled with excellent photographs (many in color) of the D&RGW, including its vaunted standard and narrow gauge steam operations. If you are a fan or have any interest whatsoever in the Rio Grande you will very much enjoy this book. Also consider Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the name implies the book details the earliest history of steam engine technology, even before it was used in railroad applications. His book later explores the development of steam locomotive technology in the United States from the 19th through the 20th centuries, covering not only the most popular steam locomotive designs but also the most successful manufactures to build them. The book has received excellent reviews and is a great resource on steam locomotives and a fine reference tool; you should find it very useful. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.
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