Automobiles and farm equipment / machinery shipments were mostly likely transported on the D&RGW and RGS on flatcars from at least the 1930’s on. Dolores, CO had several dealerships including Newell Musgrave’s Dodge and Plymouth agency which was located in the building that now houses the Montezuma Water Company on Central Ave. According to the Dolores Star Newell also took over the former Calhoun garage which later became the Chevrolet agency located in the building which is now the Dolores General Store at the corner of Central Avenue & 3rd Street (see page 118/119 of the RGS Story VII). Other franchises in Dolores included a Ford agency, this building also still exists at the north end of town and as I recall there were also several farm equipment dealers in town as well. As was mentioned these were small dealerships and vehicles were often ordered in advance when compared to today’s typical dealer lots stocked with hundreds of cars...
Vehicles arriving in Dolores were apparently off loaded from the flats on track 18 which is the depressed stub track ending at 5th Street facing the north end of the depot (see RGS Story VII pages 136/137 and 142/143) for views which also show a flat spotted at this location and what appear to be wooden wheel ramps on the ground. I have a record of D&RGW flat cars 6219 & 6307 with autos destined for one of Musgrave’s dealerships on 5/9/36. The 6200 and 6300 series flat cars seemed to be frequently used for auto and equipment transport during this period and were equipped with metal “hoop” supports for the removable tarpaulin covering. I have never seen any indication that the RGS used the former C&S #8242 end door auto box car for this purpose as it was apparently assigned to work train service. In the later years of the NG the D&RGW 6500 series flat cars seemed to be the car of choice for auto service and were also fitted with canvas covers.
