Western Railroad Discussion > Denver Rock Island RR 1083

I finally saw one of the DRIR engines that has been repainted and reporting marks changed with logos on the engines. It was idling on the DRIR tracks at Belt Junction along the UP Belt Line Industrial Lead in Denver.

The engine was purchased on April 22, 2003 along with UPY 1211. Both were in SP paint with UP patches on them.

DRIR 1083, UPY 1083, SP 2480, frame number 7997-18

PZ

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Close-up of the logo.

PZ

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Rear view showing two logos.

PZ

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Is DRIR a RailAmerica company?

Stephen

NBEC Wrote:
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> >
> Is DRIR a RailAmerica company?
>
> Stephen


No, I believe it is locally owned. The DRIR operates a short portion of track around the Denver Stockyards and the former Rock Island mainline in northeast Denver.

Rail America does own two railroads in Colorado. The first is the Kyle Railway from Limon, CO - Phillipsburg, KS. The Kyle is the former Rock Island mainline to Denver & Colorado Springs. The other is the San Luis & Rio Grande RR in the San Luis Valley. The SL&RG is the former Rio Grande line over La Veta Pass from Walsenburg to Alamosa. There are also branches to South Fork and the former dual-gauge portion of the Rio Grande from Alamosa to Antonito.

The DRIR 1083 was moved later that afternoon, Sept. 17, 2005, by Union Pacific hostlers to the Denver Stockyards. Thus, two Denver Rock Island units are now in the stockyards; DRIR 417 and 1083.

Watch for Union Pacific to start working on double tracking this winter the line between the Belt Line and I-70 near Stapleton (Quebec Street). Union Pacific now owns the ex-Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific near Brighton Blvd east towards old Sandown Junction. Yellow Cab and Courtyard by Marriott will be moving to allow rebuilding of UP's new rail line.