Denver, March 12, 2002
After the Union Pacific merger, most Rio Grande locomotives had been serving for decades, and were nearing end of life– or end of lease. As a result, by 2002 UP was gathering together many of those units destined for sale or scrapping. Denver’s Burnham shops were the major colleciton point for former D&RGW locomotives.
These photos were taken by Jim Chance, a machinist for the D&RGW / SP / UP, at the Burnham shops in Denver. All of the units pictured were sold shortly thereafter, and shipped to new locations. It was the last time that most of these Rio Grande veterans would be seen in Denver, and we’re grateful to Jim for taking these pictures.
Click the images for a larger version.
 GP40 #3060, front view. |
 GP40 #3084, brakeman’s side front. |
 GP40 #3084, brakeman’s side rear view. |
 Tunnel Motor #5345,conductor’s side; still has its Pyle lights. |
 Tunnel Motor #5345, conductor’s side rear view. |
 Tunnel Motor #5347, engineer’s side rear view. |
 Tunnel Motor #5347, engineer’s side front view. |
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 Tunnel Motor #5353 from the rear . |
 Tunnel Motor #5360, front view. |
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 Tunnel Motor #5372, rear view. |
 Tunnel Motor #5386 from the front. |
 Tunnel Motor #5386, rear view. |
 Tunnel Motor #5405, front view. This unit is the leader in the header image above, which was taken on April 8th 1984. |
 Tunnel Motor #5406, engineer’s side rear view. |
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I’d personally photographed a number of these while in service. Seeing them so decrepit (in some cases) is bittersweet. On the other hand, several of them still look ready to work, although some had major mechanical issues. And on the other hand, though 5361 was blowing oil out its exhaust stack in November 2001, it survived and was still working at least as late as 2009. You just never know…
Action Road 