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The SLRG locomotive fleet has undergone a complete transition-- twice-- since
the railroad's purchase by Iowa Pacific / Permian. All of the leased power
from the RailAmerica period was sent back immediately and replaced by other
leased power. Initially this consisted of a pair of GP39-2's and a quartet
of unique F40M-2F cowl units. Since then, even most of these original
locomotives have been replaced.
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Four of these modified ex-Amtrak F40PH
locomotives were leased initially
. They're designated as type F40M-2F-- this is
No. 459. Note that the nose has been
foreshortened, and a front porch added. A nose door allows easy access
to the cab. (6/30/2006) |
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Here's a shot by Earle Kittleman of a
truck swap underway. He and some companions witnessed this operation
on 6/27/2006. Apparently the railroad moved a truck from one of the
F40's to another one. Not having any shops at the time, all
maintenance work was done out in the open. |
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GP39-2 No. 1389. This and No. 1390 were originally
built for Kennecott Copper, and used in the Bingham Canyon operation in
Utah. At that time they had unique high cabs that projected well above
the roofline. After Kennecott sold them, the cabs were rebuilt in a
standard manner. This unit spent some time with UP before ending up
with lessor Independent Locomotive Service (ILSX). Photo on New Years
Day, 2007.
(Unit no longer on the SLRG) |
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GP39-2 No. 1390. See the note above.
This one never went to UP. Its colors were a good match for the
passenger equipment, and possibly inspired the choice of maroon and gold for
railroad colors.
(Unit no longer on the SLRG) |
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F40M-2F No. 455, in the
yard in Alamosa on 1/1/2007. Per
Nathan Holmes'
site, the Canadian American railroad was a Maine operation that is now
defunct. (Unit no longer on the SLRG) |
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F40M-2F No. 456, on the readyline in Alamosa 1/1/2007.
Note that these units have SLRG reporting marks, though the lettering
differs from one to another. (Unit no
longer on the SLRG) |
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Here's No. 459 again, buried in the string of locomotives on
the second track over from the main. (1/1/2007)
(See below for a photo of this unit after being repainted) |
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This unit, B30-7 No. 7863, is an ex-Southern Pacific unit
now owned by the Wagon Wheel Gap railroad (a tourist line that has yet to
get off the ground). The SLRG used it occasionally between early summer
2006 and 2008. (Unit now parked in
South Fork, inactive) |
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Here's FP10 No. 1100, built in
December 1946. Evidently the intent was to
utilize it in passenger service. Sharp looking unit, this.
However, it wasn't put into
service on the SLRG, probably because it lacked dynamic brakes.
(But see below-- looks like she was rebuilt and returned in different
guise!) |
In October 2006 the railroad picked up a pair of
B39-8 diesels built by GE, followed shortly afterwards by another pair.
Once these were operational, most of the other units were sent away, retaining
only F40M-2F No. 459.
For summer 2007, ex-Southern Pacific mogul (2-6-0) No. 1744 was bought and
put into excursion service. And by the next year, two more steamers were
on hand, one operational (Consolidation [2-8-0] No. 18).
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RLCX (Railway Equipment Leasing Company) No. 8524, a B39-8
built by GE (1/1/2007). As of May 2008, it was the only B39-8
not repainted into SLRG maroon. |
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RLCX No. 8527, also on the 2nd track over, on 1/1/2007.
These are the newest and most powerful units on the railroad, and were
originally owned by LMX. This type of unit was once common on the
BN and BNSF. |
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No. 8527 after repainting. These units all have SLRG
lettered onto the cab, which leads me to believe that the railroad has
purchased them, but that needs to be confirmed. She's out at Monte
Vista, headed east towards Sugar Junction to be turned on the wye. In
other words, the unit is moving away from us. |
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SLRG 8542 has been repainted in the new SLRG scheme of
maroon and gold, with a large Flying Rio Grande herald. (5/25/2008) |
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Here's the fourth unit after repainting, No. 8577.
It's a mile south of Alamosa with a coach for Antonito, making pretty good
speed on the tangent track. (5/25/2008) |
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The ex-Espee B30-7 was in the yard on 5/25/2008, but is now
parked again in South Fork. |
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Consolidation No. 18 is maneuvering onto the front of the La
Veta- bound train on Sunday morning, May 25, 2008, next to the Alamosa
depot. |
In conversation with employees, I was told that the B39-8's are using up
traction motors at a high rate. The 3% grades and sharp curvature on the
pass are taking a toll on them.2009 saw several significant new
acquisitions, including the first 6-axle power to serve in the Valley, a
historic F unit, and an innovative solution to the traction motor problem.
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 New
in December 2009: this beautiful FP10, painted in a replica of the Rio
Grande's original FT scheme (almost). It's parked on the service spur
in downtown Alamosa (12/28/2009). Look up above for the "Historic St
Marys Railway" unit: same number! Looks like she was rebuilt with
dynamic brakes. |
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Arriving
in October 2009, this road slug (No. 227) is an answer to the problem of traction
motor overloading on the pass. Mated with F40PH No. 459, now
repainted, the unit helps to put more power on the rail. (12/28/2009) |
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SLRG
201 is an SD40M, ex- Balfour Beatty 202, exx- SP 7343. |
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SLRG
202 is an SD40-2, ex- Balfour Beatty 202, exx- UP 3693. |
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SLRG
203 is an SD4-T-2 ("tunnel motor"), ex- Balfour Beatty 203, exx-
D&RGW 5373.
That's right-- an actual Rio Grande alumnus. This unit was the main
reason for my photo trip on 12/28/2009. |
Additionally, the SLRG picked up a pair of SD9043MAC's, painted in the maroon/gold scheme, which were intended as power for the reborn
Ski Train out of Denver. Unfortunately, that service fell through
after a contract dispute with Amtrak. At last report the pair were en
route to the San Luis Valley. |
