Rio Grande 168

Denver and Rio Grande Western No. 168 is a class "T-12" 4-6-0 “Ten Wheeler” type narrow-gauge steam railway locomotive. It is one of twelve similar locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG) by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1883. It was built as a passenger locomotive, with 46 in (1,200 mm) drivers, the largest drivers used on any three foot gauge D&RGW locomotive. The large drivers made it suitable for relatively fast passenger service.

Denver and Rio Grande Western No. 168
D&RG No. 168 at the head of a special train taking William Howard Taft to the opening of the Gunnison Tunnel, 1909
Type and origin Reference [1][2][3] Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Serial number 6670 Build date 1883
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-0  • UIC 2′C n2 Gauge 3 ft (914 mm) Driver dia. 46 in (1,168 mm) Length 53.3 ft (16.2 m) Adhesive weight 50,643 lb (23.0 t) Loco weight 70,550 lb (32.0 t) Total weight 117,950 lb (54 t) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 160 psi (1 MPa) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 14 in × 20 in (356 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 11,590 lbf (51.55 kN)
Career Operators D&RG » D&RGW Class D&RG: 47, DRGW: T-12 Numbers D&RG 168 D&RGW 168 Retired 1938 (revenue service) Restored October 2019 Current owner The City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Disposition Operational, in occasional excursion service on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Rio Grande Engine No. 168 U.S. National Register of Historic Places Location 9 S. Sierra Madre, Colorado Springs, Colorado Coordinates 38°50′3.4″N 104°49′41″W Area less than one acre Built 1883 Architect Baldwin Locomotive Works NRHP reference No. 79000601[4] Added to NRHP August 10, 1979

As is the case with many small, early locomotives, we know little of their operating history. In the case of 168, what we know comes entirely from photographs taken of it. The first shows it in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River in 1904. The second pair show it in Montrose, Colorado, west of Gunnison, at the head of a special train taking President William Howard Taft to the opening of the Gunnison Tunnel which, at the time, was the longest irrigation tunnel in the world. There are also photographs, taken by Otto Perry, showing it in Alamosa in 1923 and Salida in 1929. It was retired in 1938 after a service life of 55 years, later than most of its class.

The railroad gave it to the City of Colorado Springs on August 1, 1938. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Rio Grande Engine No. 168 in 1979.[4] Although it sat in Antlers Park, unprotected from the elements, behind a low fence, for so many years, it appeared to be in immaculate cosmetic condition when removed for restoration to operating condition in early 2016.

The city has entered into an agreement with the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad to have the engine restored to working order. The locomotive is now located in Antonito, Colorado.[5]

Restoration was completed in October 2019. The restoration project was headed up by Cumbres and Toltec Special Projects department and lead by Assistant General Manager Efstathios Papas. The project cost $508,000 and took 27 months to complete. The railroad intends to use this engine frequently and put it into normal service as much as possible. [6]

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  In the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, 1904
• 
  Alamosa, 1923

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in El Paso County, Colorado
• D&RGW No. 169
• D&RGW No. 223
• D&RGW No. 278
• D&RGW No. 315
• D&RGW No. 463

References

1. Official Roster No. 11 of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad System. Denver: The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad System. April 1, 1923.
2. Presentation Ceremony Program. Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. August 1, 1938.
3. "Denver & Rio Grande Locomotive History: 168". Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
5. "Historic Colorado Springs Locomotive to be reborn!". City of Colorado Springs. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
6. Papas, Efstathios. Personal Interview. March 11, 2020