Steam & Excursion > Small three-footers part 2: RGS #20

Today we'll ride along with Rio Grande Southern #20. She is a stately looking ten-wheeler built by ALCO in 1899 for the Florence & Cripple Creek, and moved to "The Southern" in 1912. She stayed there until the end of operations in 1951. Restored today to operating condition, she is seen here operating on the former San Juan extension of the Denver & Rio Grande, making her way up to Toltec Gorge with a photo freight.

Photo 1: Stately 10-wheeler RGS #20 crossing Hangman's Trestle south of Antonito, CO at dawn.    A local legend states that an outlaw named Ferguson was hanged here for unspecified crimes after a vigilante mob commandeered a locomotive from the Antonito yard to carry out the deed.

Photo 2: RGS 20 makes a hot-shot run from Antonito to Osier as the climate gradually morphs from high desert sage to pines.  The narrow gauge cars waggle, dip and buck at what is considered 'high speed' on the three foot.

Photo 3: Rio Grande Southern #20 rounds the corner at milepost 317.6 approaching Osier on the Denver & Rio Grande San Juan extension.   She has just had a good climb above Toltec Gorge.  The Rio de Los Pinos flows far below, down to a trickle in this fall season.

 

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Some scenes from Osier.

Photo 1: A bit of color, at Osier tank.

Photo 2: Taking on water.

Photo 3: Look closely!  RGS 20 stands proud at Osier as a regular passenger train on the CT&S approaches from Cascade in the far distance.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Photo 1: In a scene right out of a John Coker painting, RGS 20 steams towards Osier with a string of boxcars on a fine fall day.  A set of old ties are piled up trackside.

Photo 2: RGS 20 stands proud at the Chama yard in clearing storm light after a run up to Osier.

Thanks for looking!

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Wow!  Like the Beebe/Clegg photos way back when -- only sharper and better.

Superb in every way!

-John

Absolutely over the top!  Reminds me of Beebe, Kindig and a couple of the old masters' work.  Nobody can top this. 
No. 20 is also an absolute doll.
Thank you!

Present day photographic time travel at its best.
Bob

Engine was built by Schenectady in 1899.  Alco was formed in 1901 by the combination of eight smaller builders.  Rogers and Montreal joined the original eight within a few years.

First two episodes have exceptional photos, Mike.  I look forward to the third.

Mike,
Why is "Defense Supplies Corporation" lettered on the tender?  Is it owned/leased buy the US Govt.?

Thanks,
Ike in OK

dad4077 Wrote:
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> Mike,
> Why is "Defense Supplies Corporation" lettered on
> the tender?  Is it owned/leased buy the US
> Govt.?
>
> Thanks,
> Ike in OK

I am guessing it is a WWI-era reference when the US briefly nationalized the entire US railroad network from 1918 to 1920.   (actually Dec 27 1917.)

K-27 #455 presently bears the same markings.

 

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

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Pretty sure that the DEFENSE SUPPLY was a front for the US Govt. to keep the RGS running so the "yellow cake" would continue to be shipped during WW TWO, aka the Manhattan Project. Photos and references in one or more Lucius Beebe books.

Posted from Android

NKP779 Wrote:
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> Pretty sure that the DEFENSE SUPPLY was a front
> for the US Govt. to keep the RGS running so the
> "yellow cake" would continue to be shipped during
> WW TWO, aka the Manhattan Project. Photos and
> references in one or more Lucius Beebe books.
>
> Posted from Android

You're right, I looked it up further and the DSC was a 1940 creation.   Thanks for the tip.

-Mike

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

Harlock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Photo 1: In a scene right out of a John Coker
> painting, RGS 20 steams towards Osier with a
> string of boxcars on a fine fall day.  A set of
> old ties are piled up trackside.
>
> Photo 2: RGS 20 stands proud at the Chama yard in
> clearing storm light after a run up to Osier.
>
> Thanks for looking!

Bottom pic is on Antonito.  The cars in the background are standard gauge, part of a dual gauge display in the Antonito Yard.

I like Pics 1 and 3!!

Earlk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Harlock Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Photo 1: In a scene right out of a John Coker
> > painting, RGS 20 steams towards Osier with a
> > string of boxcars on a fine fall day.  A set
> of
> > old ties are piled up trackside.
> >
> > Photo 2: RGS 20 stands proud at the Chama yard
> in
> > clearing storm light after a run up to Osier.
> >
> > Thanks for looking!
>
> Bottom pic is on Antonito.  The cars in the
> background are standard gauge, part of a dual
> gauge display in the Antonito Yard.

Oops yes, that's what I get for posting too late at night :)

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..