Are there any Rio Grande motive power still painted in the black and gold scheme running around anymore? I thought most of it had been retired? I live on the central coast of california right near the SP coast line route. Would have been neat watching the daylights back in the day! I drive to work down cuesta grade and occasionaly catch a train coming up or down on the far side of the canyon. Its almost allways an oil can train. So monday its foggy, but through the fog I notice the headlights of a train and get looking at it when I can as I'm driving. Two lead up engines of some boring newish loco type, and then a third thats definately black, and what looks like gold lettering on the side! Could it be a remaining rio grande unit? I thought they had all been repainted, retired, or both? Is there some other lease unit or recent merger that could be mistaken for a rio grande unit? It was foggy and visibility wasn't great. I should of turned around and headed back to check it out, I'm sure my boss wouldn't of minded! I remember years ago they had a rio grande tunnel motor parked at the san luis obispo depot as a helper unit. I should have gotten more pics of that unit! Thanks, Kevo
Re: D&RGW motive power still around? I believe there are still a few 4 axle rio grande units around. I've caught GP40-2s in Roseville a couple times though not recently.
Just a couple of days ago, someone posted a photo here on TrainBoard of GP35 #3044, still all in D&RGW colors.