Fake = Real? Yes. Strange but true.....

Hey, Scott,

Everyone has their own ideas about that stuff, no doubt about it, and you have a lot of support with yours. My comments are not intended to try to persuade you, but perhaps to shed some light to some of the newer folks who might be wondering what this was all about in the first place.

The D&RGW went to that paint scheme company wide in the late 40's and early 50's. The "Prospector", which you are no doubt aware but others may not be, was one of the D&RGW's "name trains", and was the first, apparently, to be painted in that scheme.

The Company wanted to promote itself, in that age of dieselization and competition, and didn't spare the Narrow Gauge in the process. "Historical Fabric" to the D&RGW was whatever it said it was.

The 473's "Bumblebee" didn't catch on, but the fake stacks did, as the Railroad saw a way to market itself, and it's heritage, especially in the wake of the move "Denver & Rio Grande".

The stacks became a tradmark in that campaign, and it was extremely successful. The "Silverton" allowed the narrow gauge to finally become a profitable venture, arguably for the first time in it's history.

Many prefer not to acknowledge that period, however it was a vital link in the history of the D&RGW's narrow gauge operation, and is absolutely crucial to it's survival to this day. And that fact can't be overstated.

Someone pointed out earlier in this thread that there were probably those who despised the addition of "Western" to the railroad's name, but that doesn't matter much either, anymore.

Have a good weekend, and enjoy the rest of the summer!