I realize that the title is super vague. Nevertheless, just last week, I made my first ever purchase of old photographs. All of the images are by one Glenn V. Smith of Pueblo, CO, however, no of the images were dated or had any kind of notes accompanying them, so for most of them, I have no idea on the location (but most are somewhere in Colorado). I hope some of you might have an idea. If you do, please let me know! 1. The Rio Grande Zephyr 2. Santa Fe 2912 3. Rio Grande 605 4. Missouri Pacific 5323 (in Pueblo, CO) 5. The RGZ Again 6. UP 843 (in Denver, CO) 7. Katy Doubleheader (probably the coolest image out of the seven)
The first one of the RG Zephyr must be at one of the many places labeled "Castle Rock" as it sure looks like a castle. The shot of ATSF 2912 is probably in Pueblo, as it was on display there and an effort to restore it to operation took place back in the 1990s, but fizzled out. The loco is still on display in Pueblo. BTW, you got a very nice collection of old photos, there, Will. I nominate the entire collection for Photos of the Week.
Thanks gents for the help! Thanks Keith for identifying the location of picture 1 and Russell for assistance with photo 4. (And to the rest of you for helping narrow down locations!)
All I can say is Wow! Fantastic images of some history. ATSF 2912 is really impressive, but I agree that the doubleheader is cool!
Have information stating that this looks like the approach to Soldier Summit, UT. Eastbound, towards Helper, UT.
Glad I'm able to ID at least a couple of spots! Still hoping I can get help with the DRGW 605. Nothing mentioned on that as yet. Will keep trying though.
Thanks once again. If you can't find any info on the location of the 605 photo, don't worry as there is not too much to go off of.
More Glenn V. Smith Photos Rio Grande C-43 2-8-0 1034 (ex D&SL 118) (Date & Location Unknown, but between 1948 and 1951) Union Pacific FEF 4-8-4 832, Denver, CO (Date Unknown) Missouri Pacific MK-63 2-8-2 1505, Pueblo, CO (Date Unknown) A Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Freight (Date & Location Unknown) Rio Grande M-68 4-8-4, Denver, CO (Date Unknown)
Really great photos, Bill! That Rio Grande 4-8-4 is an impressive machine, quite a massive presence, and I've always liked MP steam - they looked rugged and solid, like they mean business.
That narrow gauge train, with two lokeys, appears to be hauling pipe. As I recall, there were a bunch of such trains that went down the Farmington Branch.
Ah, I thought that is what those were. That would make sense for that photo to have been taken somewhere in that area then.
The Farmington branch pretty much followed the Animas River south of Durango. That valley was pretty settled with a modest amount of agriculture. The pipe for the mini oil boom in Farmington was brought into Alamosa, Colorado on standard gauge where it was transloaded to narrow gauge. From there it traveled to Antonito, Cubres, Chama and Durango before heading down the Farmington branch. The terrain in the photo in question looks more like somewhere along the stretch from Antonito to Cubres. Or possibly north west of Chama before the Colorado boarder.
Yup. I wasn't pinpointing that branch as the exact site, as I knew the trains were transloaded elsewhere and had to commute to reach that line.
