Rio Grande

A Salute to Soldier Summit

All trains on the DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN Utah Division between Salt Lake City, Utah and Grand Junction, Colorado share a common goal...to reach SOLDIER SUMMIT. The year is 1988 and this is a last look at the pre-merger RIO GRANDE. D&RGW trains flash across the eastern Utah desert then climb to the summit through rugged and remote canyons. From the west it’s a different world as trains weave through the aspen and pine covered Wasatch Mountains of Utah.

As our program opens, golden rays of the late afternoon sun strike the vertical Utah desert cliffs. Amtrak’s "California Zephyr" races across the desert toward the setting sun in an unforgettable sequence. Then we get down to business with RIO GRANDE freight and coal trains. Lashed up for high speed and brute climbing power, you’ll see varying combinations of the GP40, GP40-2, SD40T-2, SD45 and the SD50 at location such as Thompson, Floy, Desert, Grassy, Price, Helper, Castle Gate, Nolan, Kyune, Guilluly, Thistle and more. Many scenes are ablaze with aspen in glorious fall colors.

We will look at the UTAH RAILWAY with trains powered by ex-SP, UP and BN units. Documented also is the unique PLEASANT VALLEY BRANCH with UNION PACIFIC power and RIO GRANDE crews. We are also fortunate to catch a colorful Circus train speeding through the desert. This historically important program is beautifully photographed by Dave Gross in broadcast video and narrated by Rege Cordic.

60 minutes

The Rio Grande Today

Memories of the DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN in the 80’s. Video taped 1982-1986.

• Rio Grande trains on the Moffat Tunnel Route.
• Multiple unit trains over Tennessee Pass.
• Rio Grande Ski Train - 1915 era coaches, F-9 units.
• Amtrak "California Zephyr" - On board and trackside.
• "Rio Grande Zephyr" passenger train with F-9 units.
• Luxury trip on board private car "Yerba Buena" from Salt Lake City to Denver.
• Snow Plow train Winter Park to Kremmling, Colorado.

 

112 minutes

D&RGW Double Feature!

Legend of the Rio Grande Zephyr

For one brief moment in railroad history there was a wonderful little tri-weekly passenger train that operated over the D&RGW between Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. It was the "Rio Grande Zephyr"...and it would become a Legend.

April 24, 1983 is an important and sad day in history ... and you are there as F-9 #5771 arrives with the "Zephyr" at Denver Union Station for the last time. Then step back in time as rail photographer William E. Botkin documents the life and times of this great train as it climbs the Rockies and crosses the Utah desert to Salt Lake City. There are also views on board the 1948 era stainless steel passenger cars. The "Rio Grande Zephyr" is gone now but its memory lives on in this action-oriented program.

Snow Train: Rio Grande’s Ski Special

The UNION PACIFIC still operates the Ski Train made famous by its predecessor, the DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN. The train serves the Winter Park Ski Resort on weekends from Denver during the winter months and is a delight to both skiers and railfans.

This program returns to 1984 when vintage 1915 era coaches were pulled by the famous F units from the discontinued "Rio Grande Zephyr". Experience this unique train from on board and many spectacular track side locations as it glides through a snow covered Winter Wonderland.

70 minutes