Re: Nomad

The name Nomad was used several times by the railroads. The current narrow gauge NOMAD only the most recent one to use the name.

The Rio Grande Western had a standard-gauge Directors' Car named NOMAD. Currently the best place to find a history of his car is in Western Pacific Steam Locomotives, Passenger Trains and Cars by Guy L. Dunscomb and Fred A. Stindt printed back in 1980:

The car was built in October, 1890 by St. Charles Car Company as Rio Grande director's car NOMAD. In 1894 the car is listed as 73'8" long and weighing 93,000#.

The car was renamed to RGW DENVER in the last quarter of 1902.

In August 1910 the car was lengthened by D&GW to 75'8.5" and weighing 136,200# and lettered as Western Pacific WELDON.

October 1912 it shows up on both D&RG and WP rosters. It was lettered Western Pacific on the letter boards with small D&RG lettering over vestibules.

October 1913 still assigned to WP it was renumbered D&RG A-2 at Burnham Shops.

March 1915 renumbered D&RG A-1.

June 1918 car was returned permanently to D&RG. It was temporarily given the number USRA 89 in Sept. 1918. Used as principal business car until first steel car was obtained in 1922. Retired as D&RGW 107 in September 1942 and rebuilt to wrecking train outfit car X-3271. Broken up at Grand Junction in July 1955.
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I understand that a D&RG/D&RGW standard-gauge passenger car book is in the works.

Brian Norden