Here's a pic i took last week. I should have just parked and took some good shots but i didn't. There's a story behind these units as well- anyone else know what it is? http://clem.mscd.edu/~jimenez/Stuff/fakeDRGunits.JPG
OK, I'll bite. I don't know the story, but here's what my eyes tell me: They appear to be SD39's, and to the best of my knowlege, DRGW didn't have any. Looking closer, I notice that the units have the bracket for the SP rear light package which identifies them as ex-SP. Now, the mystery. Did DRGW acquire some ex-SP SD39's previous to the SP/DRGW merger and paint them in DRGW colors (come to think of it, they do look to be gray, not black)??? Just some semi-educated guesses. ------------------ Kevin Stevens www.trainweb.org/KernJunction
Here is my take. The picture was taken a week ago. There are a lot of ex Rio Grande units that were retired or sold and have not been repainted. As to the models of the units, the two cooling fans makes 35's or earlier. Notice the large lettering. Not all units got this. I could not make out if they are SD's or GP's. The whole key to this is the lettering below the number on the cab. Of course, the number would tell all . ------------------ Jim Harrawood #85 Utah Rails D&RGW---Main Line Thru The Rockies
Heres more. Rio Grande jumped from SD9's to SD40T-2's. Notice the two fans on the DB. SD9's only had one. As for GP's, The cab is not a GP30. It has to be a GP35. I have a note that DRGW 3048 received large lettering following a wreck. Was sold to OmniTRAX 12/94. As for the high lights, take a look at this SD9. SD9 Lights ------------------ Jim Harrawood #85 Utah Rails D&RGW---Main Line Thru The Rockies [This message has been edited by slimjim375 (edited 18 September 2000).]
All right here's the story... Kevin was closest. They are ex SP SD39s. Note the turbo DB brake blister. And the 2 radiator fans that give away the SD39 identity... I believe their current marks are HATX 351-353 (3 SD39 Ex-HLCX 3950-3952; exx-CBR, Nee-SP) Several years ago some movie was made and several Rio Grande units were needed so these then Helm units were painted as Rio Grande and used in the movie- which i don't remember what it was. I read about it in Trains after seeing the units and wondering when the Rio Grande got several SD39s! They are now located North of Denver off the UP main. I'm not sure if UP is currently using them, but they do change location frequently. I should mention they have always had the HCLX sublettering under the cab windows. If anyone has any other info on this feel free to chime in...
Rats. Hollywood got to me again. What can I say . ------------------ Jim Harrawood #85 Utah Rails D&RGW---Main Line Thru The Rockies
Any who, back to the GP35's. From the info that I have, DRGW 3048 was the only GP35 to get the large logo. DRGW 3048, GP35 EMD# 29973 Built 1/1965 Damaged in wreck at Swan, Colorado, 9/22/1970. Rebuilt by EMD. Received large Rio Grande logo. 12/1994. Sold to OmniTRAX, Loveland, CO, 2/11/1995 ------------------ Jim Harrawood #85 Utah Rails D&RGW---Main Line Thru The Rockies
Reminds me of those Rio Grande GP30s i saw at Burnham waiting for the boneyard; i haven't seen em since so i don't know if they moved em or if they are gone forever...
The two SD39's are leased to Andesite Gravel in Commerce City off UP's Den-Chy line south of 96th? at old Rolla. They are ANDX 4027 and 4028. They are used on the Rolla rock train that runs from Rolla(MP9.5) to Carr(MP 85) a gravel pit, and back. Called for 1300 Mon-Fri. The movie which they were painted for is called "Switchback" with Danny Glover and Dennis Quaid. Filmed between Minturn and Malta on Tennessee Pass, Tolland-East Portal, and Gore Canyon on the Moffat. One scene shows just how deep Belden Canyon is from the Highway. Opening scene is on the BN east of Denver, I believe Hudson. Not a bad movie, but worth watching for the scenary. Mike
Exactly, right of the units in the photo is some gravel facility. There is often a 'leased type' switcher that i think is probably a rebuilt SW8 but i could be way off on that. I didn't stop to note their current #s when i took the photo so i guess i was wrong on that! Do you know if they are still 'Helm' units? I didn't realize that was Commerce City, but it is on 96th right next to the Mile High Flea Market...
