Steam & Excursion > The Many Years Of Hard Service Are Catching Up With This Engine!

Even though she has only 39 years of service behind her by the time this photo was taken in Durango, Colorado in July, 1939 by Ted Wurm, Rio Grande Southern #22 looked like she is just about used up.

Built by ALCO at their Schenectady Shop in 1900 this narrow gauge 4-6-0 was delivered new to the Florence & Cripple Creek RR as their #24 and given the name, "Last Dollar".  After only 16 years of service on the F&CC she was sold to the Rio Grande Southern in 1916 for $3,588.67.  She was purchased along with former F&CC #20 and #21 that became RGS #20 and #25 respectively. #22 was shipped from the F&CC to the D&RGW shops in Alamosa where she was rebuilt for an additional $1,510.73.

#22 saw her share of wrecks while in service on the RGS.  After one such wreck in May, 1920 along the Dolores River she lay on her side along the right-of-way for some 3 months before she was salvaged.  This may explain why she looks so tired and worn out as we see in this 1939 photo.

Finally, in 1942 she was removed from service on the RGS and was slowly picked clean for usable parts before finally being scrapped.  Her smokestack was transferred to RGS #20 who still sports it today.  With RGS #20 back in service at the Colorado Railroad Museum, we can still see a part of RGS #22 in service once again.

After spending

Martin



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/13/20 03:41 by LoggerHogger.

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That's a nifty little tea kettle, it's what's on the inside that counts anyway!