Denver & Rio Grande Western (DRGW) 346 - BLW 2-8-0

This little loco has bounced through a long series of owners in its long history - a real boomer locomotive. According to the Baldwin builder records, Baldwin built this 3' narrow gauge 2-8-0 Consolidation in January of 1880 as Denver, South Park & Pacific #51 (serial #4919). It was renumbered in 1885 as DSPP #191. In 1889, it was sold to Denver, Leadville & Gunnion as their #191 followed by a sale to Colorado & Southern as #31 in 1999. Then around 1902, it was sold to the Ed Hines Lumber Company followed by another sale to A.A. Bigelow &Co in 1904. The next sale was in 1922 to the Thuderlake Lunmber Co in 1922 as their #7. By 1932, it was placed on display at the Rhinelander Logging Museum. By 1973, the Colorado RR Museum had acquired the loco for its collection where it is today. This was taken by an unidentified rail fan on a visti to the Colorado Railroad museum in Golden, CO. No exact day in the spring of 1981 was given so an approximate was used.

With ex-D&RGW Business Car B-8 in tow, 346 makes a run for the cameras on CRRM's then brief demonstration line.

Ready to go, 346 is set to make a few runs along the museum's short demonstration line. In the background, some of the visitors have set themselves up for photos.

While at CRRM, the museum's classic C-18 2-8-0 346 was steamed up for the visitors. 346 was then, and still is, Colorado's oldest operating steam loco, having been built in 1881.

D&RGW No. 346 is a C-19 class 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type narrow gauge steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1881 for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG), later known as the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). It was originally named "Cumbres" and wore road number 406. Loco #406 was primarily used in helper service. In 1923, it was renumbered 346, and in 1924, it was fitted with a new boiler. 346 was wrecked on Kenosha Pass after the locomotive rolled over on a curve. 346 was rebuilt in the Denver shops. 346 was sent to the Montezuma Lumber Company in 1947, to be used on the Rio Grande Southern just outside of Durango. When the mill burned down, the engine was no longer needed. Bob Richardson, one of the museum founders, bought 346 in 1950, and managed to get it to Alamosa, where he placed the locomotive at the Narrow Gauge Motel. Rail fan Jim Lockart too this nice color roster slide.

Having crept closer, GC&SJ 346 nears the camera as it traverses the Colorado Railroad Museum's demonstration line.

Making a demonstration run, GC&SJ 346 tows a mix of cabooses for riders.

Passing the camera during a demo run, GC&SJ 346 whistles by.

Easing along the museum's running line, GC&SJ 346 slowly rolls along.

Taken circa 1989

At the Colorado Railroad Museum.

An unidentified photographer took this photo of the Denver & Rio Grande Western 2-8-0 Consolidation #346 back in 1982 at the Colorado RR Museum.

With an engine out on the turntable

Readying the engine.

D&RGW C-19 346 at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado on August 26, 1965, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Number 346 was built by Baldwin in 1881 (c/n 5712) as D&RG class 70 number 406. It was leased to the C&S from 1935 to 1937, wrecked at Kenosha Pass on July 25, 1936, rebuilt by the CB&Q shops in Denver and returned to D&RGW in April 1937, sold to Montezuma Lumber May 19, 1947, purchased by R.W. Richardson in September 1950.

1881 Baldwin

Restoration continues on DRGW 318 and the 346 is seen to the right.

Restoration chntinues on the 346's tender, which is out of sight to the right. For now the frame for the tender remains empty, a sight not often seen.

Restoration continues on the 346's tender, which is out of sight to the right. For now the frame for the tender remains empty, a sight not often seen. This also offers a rare chance to see the entire cab of the 346 withlut the obstruction of the tender blocking the way.

Restoration continues on the 346's tender, which is out of sight to the right. For now the frame for the tender remains empty, a sight not often seen. To the right is the DRGW 318 which looks to be close in its restoration completion.

My daughters enjoing some of rolling stock at the Colorado Narrow Gage museum in Golden