Re: D&RGW 50

Hi Dennis, Thanks for posting all your slides of your visit to the CRRM. A few words on D&RGW 50, which is quite a historic item of equipment. The Sumpter Valley folks can probably give you a very detailed explanation of its early service life.

Built by Davenport in 1937, builder's number 2245, this was Sumpter Valley 101, a 30 ton diesel mechanical switch engine. Built new for the SV, used at the South Baker yards, and equipped with dual gauge coupler capacity so that it could switch standard gauge cars as well as narrow gauge equipment. After abandonment of the SV main line in 1947, No. 101 was retained to switch standard gauge cars between the South Baker saw mill and the Union Pacific interchange. Following abandonment of the SV's mill trackage, the 101 was sold to the D&RGW in 1963 for use as the Durango switch engine. Overhauled and re-painted at The D&RGW's Burnham shop, SV 101 became D&RGW 50. By this time the primary need for a Durango switcher was to turn the Silverton train consist in the summer months. After rebuilding the yard to allow the Silverton consist to be turned as part of its arrival in Durango, No. 50 was surplus. The D&RGW sold No. 50 to the Roaring Camp & Big Trees in Felton, California. Re-sold to Robert Shank, who had it at his property north of Durango in 1982. Subsequently acquired by the Colorado Railroad Museum along with other items from Mr. Shank's collection, and moved to Golden. Restored several years ago, and has been used on occasion at the museum.

Charlie
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