Newspaper Items
Rio Grande Western Railway
This page was last updated on March 21, 2004
6 July 1889
Dodge says Denver & Rio Grande Western name changed to Rio Grande Western
on 20 June 1889. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 6 July 1889)
24 September 1889
The old 45 pound steel rail from the SLC-Ogden line being laid as standard
gauge the Bingham line. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 24 September 1889)
5 October 1889
Four new standard gauge freight engines for Rio Grande Western arrived
yesterday morning in Ogden. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 October 1889)
11 October 1889
The four new engines, numbers 111, 112, 113 and 114, were brought to Salt Lake
City by Southern Pacific engine 248 yesterday, arriving at about 5:30pm.
Engines are reported to have cost $8,500.00 each. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 October 1889)
13 October 1889
No. 111 run out yesterday just before noon, on 98 pounds pressure; it will take
the northbound freight today. No. 112 will run out tomorrow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 October 1889)
15 October 1889
No. 112 out yesterday, 114 today, and the 113 tomorrow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 October 1889)
15 October 1889
RGW passenger train #8 blown over a quarter mile north of Farmington tank,
morning of 13th; an 11 car train, including the buffet-sleeper Provo. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 October 1889)
17 October 1889
Engines 115, 116, 117 and 118 towed down from Ogden yesterday afternoon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 October 1889)
18 October 1889
Engines 119 and 120 arrived in Ogden yesterday afternoon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 October 1889)
20 October 1889
Engine 121 has arrived - last of the first group. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 October 1889)
1 November 1889
Name of the Baldwin engineer who brought out the RGW engines was one P. J.
Cutler, who left last evening for the east. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 November 1889)
5 November 1889
Engines 33 and 34 arrived Sunday evening 3rd from New York Locomotive Works,
Rome, New York. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 5 November 1889)
7 November 1889
No. 33 ran a trial trip to Ogden and return on Monday, the 4th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 November 1889)
14 November 1889
Engines 35 and 36 arrived in Salt Lake on the 12th; 37 and 38 are now in Ogden,
to be brought down. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 14 November 1889)
20 November 1889
RGW passenger depot in Salt Lake is to be moved. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 November 1889)
23 November 1889
The RGW has 24 standard gauge engines; narrow gauge No's 107 and 108 are in the
shops for overhaul. The editor of the paper suggests to folks that they go out
west of the D&RGW shops and "…compare the old Jordan and Salt Lake
RR machines … built by Porter, Bell & Co., and the National Locomotive
Works years ago,…" with the huge new RGW engines alongside. He further
says the old narrow gauge engines are "…fit only for the
scrap-heap." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 23 November 1889)
26 November 1889
The depot has been moved, and is now being set on new foundations. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 November 1889)
27 November 1889
RGW building a new roundhouse, and so forth, at a site four miles below Castle
Gate, for 'helpers'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 27 November 1889)
28 November 1889
The Rio Grande Western depot, having been moved halfway across the block
recently, was placed in position on its new foundation yesterday afternoon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 28 November
1889)
5 December 1889
Four new baggage cars for RGW arrived yesterday in Salt Lake City, and the rest
of the rolling stock is on the way. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 December 1889)
7 December 1889
New RGW coaches 201-204 arrived at Salt Lake; built by St. Charles. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 December 1889)
8 December 1889
Two new 65-foot turntables have been received, for Salt Lake City and for
Pleasant Valley Junction. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 8 December 1889)
12 December 1889
More of the new passenger equipment has arrived, being baggage & mail cars
1 and 2, and baggage cars 51 through 58, also St. Charles build. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 December 1889)
15 December 1889
Another reference to the old Jordan Valley engines presently sitting dead on
the west side of the shops, near the wye. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 December 1889)
15 December 1889
RGW engines 111-114 have been shipped to Provo over the Union Pacific, for use
on the new standard gauge line east of Provo to Castle Gate. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 December 1889)
21 December 1889
An item on RGW improvements, among other things says "The depot has just
received the first coat of green paint, and the remodeling of the interior is
in progress. The addition to the freight depot has been commenced,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 December
1889)
2 January 1890
Paper says there are no more narrow gauge engines in service between Provo and
Pleasant Valley Junction. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 2 January 1890)
7 January 1890
RGW engines 131-135 have been received and put together; there is now 25 of
them on the line. Passenger engines 39-42 expected soon; yesterday four mail
cars and six 2nd class coaches received. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 January 1890)
7 January 1890
Four narrow gauge engines in shop being overhauled. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 January 1890)
12 January 1890
The building to the south of the RGW depot, by 100 feet, is nearly completed,
and will be used for freight, baggage, express, etc. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 January 1890)
21 January 1890
U.P. has borrowed five or six RGW engines to be used on line between Silver Bow
and Pocatello during the current snow trouble. They left Ogden on morning of
21st, to go to Pocatello via Granger. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 January 1890)
2 March 1890
The RGW has gotten back from the D&RG its engines 37 and 38. "Engine
No. 7. the switch 'dinkie', is in the hospital and looks better prepared for
the scrap heap than for any further service." Narrow gauge engines 72, 785
(sic) and 105 are in the shop being overhauled. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 March 1890)
8 March 1890
The new standard gauge line between Salt Lake City and Ogden was completed on
the 6th, and regular trains began running yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 March 1890)
11 March 1890
Standard gauge line finished into Winter Quarters coal mines, and they now load
into standard gauge cars. (ed. note: Is the entire line between Salt Lake
City and Winter Quarters now all standard gauge?) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 March 1890)
13 March 1890
"The Rio Grande Western is rebuilding four of its narrow gauge engines for
broad gauge service between P. V. Junction the coal mines. No. 108 is the first
engine to be turned out thus, and she looks first rate,… No. 110 is now in
the erecting shop undergoing the transfer…" No's 78 and 101 are being
repaired for local narrow gauge service, and dinkie No. 7 is going to Scofield
as a stationary boiler. standard gauge engines 51 and 52 are in Salt Lake, and
53 & 54 in Ogden, to come down. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 March 1890)
16 April 1890
"The new coaches of the Rio Grande are running. An entire train, together
with a new engine, was photographed at the depot yesterday." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Times, 16 April
1890)
16 April 1890
"The new day coaches recently brought to Salt Lake by the Rio Grande
Western, and which will soon be placed upon the road, are attracting no little
attention in railway circles. Yesterday the chief of photographers, Savage,
accompanied by Mr. Bennett and Mr. Wolcott, visited the Rio Grande depot, where
a special train of five of the new coaches; baggage, mail and express cars; and
a new and powerful passenger locomotive, No. 54, had been made up for the
purpose of getting a photograph of it. The train, indeed, was a handsome one,
and one can readily understand why the railway people should desire photographs
of it. The train was backed up in front of the passenger station and the new
quarters now being prepared for the auditor and his force, and several very
excellent negatives were obtained, which will shortly be put to good use."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 16 April
1890)
22 April 1890
Entire class, RGW engines 100-110, to be made standard gauge. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 April
1890)
22 April 1890
"Engines 100 to 110 on the Rio Grande are being altered to standard.
gauge." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening
Times, 22 April 1890)
23 April 1890
A private car for RGW arrived Sunday 20th at Denver, from St. Charles. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 April
1890)
1 May 1890
Large photo of RGW depot and train is being sent out to various points. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 May
1890)
8 May 1890
Brief mention of RGW car 'A'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 May 1890)
15 May 1890
RGW engine 73 (narrow gauge) tipped over at Bingham, the result of water from a
nearby ditch softening the roadbed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 May 1890)
25 May 1890
Four RGW narrow gauge engines now in shop being widened; next three to come is
will be widened also. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 25 May 1890)
27 May 1890
Two RGW engines considerably smashed on Soldier Summit last evening. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 May
1890)
1 June 1890
Standard gauge to Bingham supposed to be done today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 June 1890)
3 June 1890
First regular standard gauge train to Bingham went up yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 June
1890)
3 June 1890
Item on the RGW line out of Thistle into San Pete County. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel,
Manti, 3 June 1890)
7 June 1890
Bancroft to be out on the line in his car 'Trinidad' when the standard gauge
line is completed on the 10th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 June 1890)
9 June 1890
Rio Grande Western standard gauge passenger cars at present: eight baggage,
eight mail and express, four combines and 16 coaches, apparently all from St.
Charles Car Company. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Evening Times, 9 June 1890)
New RGW Timetable in effect 12:01am, 10 June 1890, for initial standard gauge service on the RGW. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Times, 9 June 1890)
19 June 1890
RGW engines 104, 105, 106, 107 and 109 to be standard gauge soon; there are a
dozen dead narrow gauge engines sitting west of the roundhouse, most of which
are to be used on the Sevier valley line. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 June 1890)
21 June 1890
W. H. Bancroft resigns, effective 1 July 1890, a surprise to everyone. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 June
1890)
21 June 1890
An item on Bancroft's resignation - Bancroft says that when he got back from
Denver last evening, he found a letter, from Col. Dodge, that said his
(Bancroft's) resignation would be accepted. So, Mr. Bancroft says that he will
go as of July 1st. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Evening Times, 21 June 1890)
4 July 1890
"R.G.W. narrow gauge engines 30 and 31 were secured yesterday afternoon by
the Union Pacific for use today on the Garfield Beach line." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 July
1890)
10 July 1890
The two engines recently wrecked on Soldier Summit (see 27 May item) are now in
the shop for repairs. Two narrow gauge freight engines are being widened to
standard gauge. The door openings on four stalls of the roundhouse at Salt Lake
City are being widened by four inches and made taller by eight inches, to allow
standard gauge cars to pass in for repairs. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 July 1890)
24 July 1890
RGW office car 'A' is regularly kept in Salt Lake for Superintendent Welby. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 July
1890)
7 August 1890
The old narrow gauge turntable from Salt Lake has had one foot added on each
end, and will be installed at Bingham. Engine widening continues. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 August
1890)
28 September 1890
RGW 34 blew out boiler check, draining the boiler; 35 to the rescue; at Wood's
Cross. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 28 September 1890)
3 October 1890
Rebuilding of RGW 127 to be done this week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 October 1890)
22 October 1890
The 'depot' at Bingham has been old narrow gauge carbodies ever since standard
gauge was put in. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 22 October 1890)
23 October 1890
RGW 102 ran over and killed someone at Thistle yesterday. "Making the
Engines Over" "Narrow Gauge engines 106, 107, 108, 109 and 110 have
all been made over into standard gauge engines, and 30, 104 and 105 will be
shortly. No. 30 is to be used for special passenger service, such as hauling officials
over the road, and the like." No. 137 will be out soon, and engines 78 and
103 being repaired for Sevier Valley line service. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 October 1890)
8 November 1890
The reason for no new depot at Bingham is that the RGW cannot get land at a
reasonable price, everyone wanting to gouge the railroad company. The waiting
room at Bingham is 'reported as being an old narrow gauge boxcar body; new
depots are being built at Castle Gate and P. V. Junction. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 November 1890)
14 November 1890
Through service on the standard gauge line Denver to Ogden about to begin. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 November 1890)
18 November 1890
The first through passenger train arrived Monday evening the 17th, with engine
34 that had been put on at Green River; arrived three hours late! (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 November 1890)
21 November 1890
Car 'Nomad' now being built for the RGW; will cost $20,000.00. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 November
1890)
2 December 1890
Two sleepers arrived in Denver yesterday for standard gauge service, and six
more are expected today. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 2 December 1890)
10 December 1890
Engines 22 and 78 are being repaired for service on the Sevier branch. No. 30
'is having her legs spread for running on the standard gauge.' (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 December 1890)
13 December 1890
The R.G.W. line to Ephraim (Sevier Valley branch) opens today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 December 1890)
15 December 1890
There will be a new depot at Bingham soon, to replace the two old narrow gauge
boxcars now used for that purpose. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 December 1890)
28 December 1890
"Engine 31 of the Rio Grande Western has been repaired and is ready for
service on the Sevier Valley Branch. Its mate, No. 30, will be made over into a
standard gauge sister within the next three weeks, unless certain forgings sent
for from Philadelphia are further delayed." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 December 1890)
30 December 1890
"Railroad Rumbles" "The Rio Grande Western Railway opens its new
branch to Manti January 1st for passenger and freight traffic." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 December 1890)
1 January 1891
RGW: says 12 engines were widened in 1890. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1891)
4 January 1891
Narrow gauge engine 73 is on the Sevier branch; engine 117 has plow attached;
and flanger #3 has been finished. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 January 1891)
23 January 1891
Narrow gauge engines 21, 22, 71 and 72 are on the Sevier line; No. 120 was
wrecked on Soldier the other day; No. 70 is repaired and about to be run out;
No.51 is having her stack painted red, in honor of pulling Palmer's special. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 January 1891)
30 January 1891
RGW No. 108 is switcher at Grand Junction; 30 and 120 in the shops; and 35 now
has red stack, too. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 30 January 1891)
3 February 1891
Brief item on the car 'Nomad,' which comments that the upholstery is in shades
of blue and gray, appropriate for a Civil War veteran. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 February 1891)
12 February 1891
RGW received engines 55 and 56 yesterday; others being set up at Burnham, and
will be run through on a train. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 February 1891)
15 February 1891
Rio Grande Western engines 55 and 56, built by Rome and just received, are
being renumbered to 39 and 40, as they are of the 30 class and not of the 50
class. Engines 115 and 120 are in for repairs, the result of wrecks. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 February 1891)
15 February 1891
The narrow gauge rail will soon be removed from those areas where yet it
remains on the R.G.W. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 15 February 1891)
19 February 1891
RGW gets two 'baby' locomotives, received at Denver and run to Utah. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 February 1891)
22 February 1891
Standard gauge third rail being laid on the Utah Central to various suburban
points, to accommodate the RGW. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 February 1891)
2 March 1891
RGW engines 41 and 42.received and in service; Rome built engines. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 March
1891)
29 March 1891
"Hog" engines 136, 137 and 138 have been received from Baldwin. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 March
1891)
7 April 1891
RGW engines 139 and 140 received from Baldwin at Burnham, now being set up, and
will be run through to Utah on trains. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 April 1891)
12 April 1891
Engines 140 and 141 have arrived from Denver. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 April 1891)
30 April 1891
As the narrow gauge rail is at least partly removed between Thistle and Salt
Lake City, all remaining narrow gauge cars at SLC will be moved to Thistle on
flat cars. There are at present nine engines on the Sevier line. No. 105 is out
and ready for work, and 70 and 75 likewise being repaired for the Sevier line;
all three will be taken down on flat cars. Engine 114 is in for repairs, and
then 121 and 37. "The small engines like No's 6 and 9 will shortly
decorate the scrap heap." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 April 1891)
8 May 1891
"Alta News." (extract) "The tramway is expected to be operating
in about two weeks. The Rio Grande western is broadening the gauge from Bingham
Junction to Wasatch, and will have the work done within the next two weeks. It
is now completed two miles east of Sandy." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 May 1891)
9 May 1891
RGW narrow gauge track is 15 miles south of Manti, and graders are at work all
the way to Salina. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 9 May 1891)
12 May 1891
Articles of incorporation for Tintic Range Railway filed yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 May
1891)
17 May 1891
"Ore Coming from Alta." "It will probably be two weeks yet
before the R. G. W. company get their track broad gauged and ready to operate
between Bingham Junction and Wasatch. They are laying thirty-pound steel on this
road and have it down about five and a half miles from Bingham Junction."
"J. W. King, who has been the tramway agent at Alta the past eight
years,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 17 May 1891)
17 May 1891
RGW 52 is in for repairs and overhaul. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 May 1891)
21 May 1891
The RGW is burning old narrow gauge boxcars to salvage their iron scrap. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 May
1891)
28 May 1891
RGW 114 in for overhaul, also; and still two narrow gauge engines being widened
out. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
28 May 1891)
2 June 1891
"The Rio Grande Western announce the completion of the broad-gauging of
their branch line from Sandy to Wasatch, and hereafter no freight destined to
points on the branch need be transferred at Sandy." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 2 June 1891)
3 June 1891
An advertisement item, on the RGW Alta Branch, "…which has now been made
broad gauge,…" "At Wasatch tramway connection is made for
Alta." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 3 June 1891)
4 June 1891
An R. G. W. advertisement: "Open to Sandy and Wasatch." "In
effect June 1, the Alta Branch of the Rio Grande Western, which has now been
broad gauged, will be opened for freight and passenger traffic to Sandy and
Wasatch." "At Wasatch direct tramway connection is made for
Alta." This appears over the names of J. H. Bennett, General Freight and
Passenger Agent, and A. E. Welby, Superintendent. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 4 June 1891)
9 June 1891
Supt. Welby received his car 'B' yesterday; car 'A' will now be used by other
officers of the road when needed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 June 1891)
10 June 1891
RGW has completed standard gauge line to Wasatch from Bingham Junction. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 June
1891)
11 June 1891
A letter to the editor shows RGW engine No. 108 on the run to Wasatch. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 June
1891)
22 June 1891
The Sevier Valley branch of the RGW will be widened soon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 June 1891)
10 July 1891
All narrow gauge cars on the Sevier branch to be unloaded by the 14th so that
they can be moved to Thistle on the evening of the 14th. The track to be
widened on the 15th, and the line reopened as a standard gauge on the 16th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 July
1891)
19 July 1891
"The remaining narrow gauge engines will be broadened as soon as possible.
No. 104 is just out of the shop thus remodeled, and looked first rate. She went
to Thistle yesterday afternoon." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 July 1891)
7 August 1891
RGW laying 58 pound steel rail on the Tintic branch. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 August 1891)
9 August 1891
Three new freight engines received from Baldwin at Burnham, for RGW. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 August
1891)
16 August 1891
Engines 144-148 received by RGW at Grand Junction yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 August 1891)
18 August 1891
Opening of the Sevier Branch, to Salina, yesterday, by special excursion. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 August 1891)
19 August 1891
RGW engine 39 pulled special excursion to Salina out of Salt Lake City, but at
Thistle was traded for two of the best ex-narrow gauge engines; "Up the
road from Thistle are large quantities of narrow gauge cars of all kinds stored
on sidings, good, bad and indifferent, and what to do with them is at present a
problem. The road would like to sell them, and probably the Rio Grande Southern
and the Utah Central will take many of these cars." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 August 1891)
20 August 1891
Superintendent Welby's car is the "B". (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 August 1891)
5 September 1891
"Narrow gauge engines 75 and 103 are being made over into the standard
gauge at the Rio Grande Western shops. Passenger engines 34 and 36 and freight
engine 134 are being repaired." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 September 1891)
11 September 1891
Tintic Range Railway completed to Payson yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 September 1891)
17 September 1891
D. W. Brunton, of Taylor & Brunton sampling works, is in town; his company
is to put up new works below the Germania smelter, the building to be 40 by 127
feet, the central part being 40 feet square and three stories high, and it will
be located between the R. G. W. and U. P. tracks. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 September 1891)
23 September 1891
"Coach A, Colonel Dodge's car, is being overhauled and the kitchen .
remodeled. The intelligent designer had placed the range and the refrigerator
together like Siamese twins, so that the heat played the 'old scratch' with the
contents of the refrigerator. The Colonel has-got tired of this and sighs for a
change which is being effected."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 September 1891)
23 September 1891
"Making Over Engines" "Narrow gauge engines 75 and 103 are being
made over into the standard gauge in the R. G. W." Mechanic Dailey
"…has also cleaned up the yard of old narrow gauge engines and other truck,…"
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 September 1891)
23 September 1891
"Foreman Langston of the car shops went to Thistle yesterday to inventory
the narrow-gauge stock in store down there, and get a revelation as to what he
shall do with it." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 23 September 1891)
11 October 1891
"The Oregon Lumber Company has bought 20 narrow gauge flats from the
Thistle yards for use on their logging railroad up in Oregon. The Rio Grande
Western is selling off the remains of its narrow gauge equipment as fast as
possible. The Utah Central is after some of the narrow gauge engines and
cars." The sale of 1,000 tons of 40 pound steel rails, and 88 narrow gauge
freight and flat cars, which was to have been yesterday the 10th, has been
postponed, at the request of the Utah Central, consignee of the lot. Said sale
was because the U.C. owes the freight charges and at this point, six months
storage: $19,666.82 on the rail, and $15,259.37 on the cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 October
1891)
11 October 1891
RGW engine 36 to come out of shop tomorrow, and the 35 soon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 October 1891)
10 November 1891
"The Rio Grande Southern has bought all of the Western's narrow gauge
rolling stock except the small amount that is to be set on standard trucks for
service on the branches. This is a great relief to the Western, and the long
encumbered yards at Thistle are now being cleared out. The stock is loaded on
flats and hauled to Grand Junction, where it is transferred to the Denver &
Rio Grande narrow gauge. Thus disappears the last vestige of the narrow gauge
that for so long ran into this city from Denver. Everything is broad gauge
nowadays." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 10 November 1891)
13 November 1891
Item on the sale of John W. Young's rail and cars, a copy of which item is
provided here (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 13 November 1891):
RUMBLES OF THE RAILROADS
Sale of Stored Material - Note and Personal Mention.
The Rio Grande Western held the long expected sale at its yards yesterday of the rails and cars consigned to John W. Young, and on which he has never been able to pay the charges for freight and storage. The itemized property is as follows:
One thousand one and a half tons of steel railroad rails weight forty pounds to the yard, and consigned by the New York Equipment Company from Scranton, Pa., to J. W. Young at Salt Lake City, Utah; also eighty-eight narrow gauge railroad freight cars, consigned by the New York Equipment Company from Canton, O. to J. W. Young at Salt Lake City, Utah. Said property has been held at the place to which it was consigned and transported by said railway company for over six months and has not been accepted or taken away by tie consignee, and will be sold to satisfy the carriers' lieu. The rails will be sold by the ton to an amount sufficient to pay freight and charges for storage and care to the amount of $19,008.82 besides costs of sale.
A sufficient number of cars will be sold to pay freight and charges of storage and care to the amount of .$15,259.97, besides costs of sale.
Station Agent J. H. Riley conducted the sale, and mounting a pile of rails announced in a fine contralto voice that he; was ready for bidders. There were half a dozen of these, and first some one offered to take the 1001 tons for $20,112 the blanket price. Then another party thought he would take 1000 tons; and he was followed by others who would give the $20,112 for 950 tons, and so on down the scale until James P. Woodman and Simon Bamberger offered the sum for 785 tons, and beneath this no one would go. So the 785 tons were knocked down to the successful bidders, leaving the remaining 210 tons subject to attaching creditors, and to be sold out for their benefit "at some future time not hereinbefore mentioned."
The amount of indebtedness of John W., Young to the attaching creditors is said to be $30,000, and just how far 210 tons of rails will go in satisfying all these judgments can be easily figured out. The rails are forty pounds steel, and at the price bid, cost Messrs Woodman and Bamberger a little over $25.50 per ton.
The eighty-eight gondola care were next put up, metaphorically speaking, for they remained on the rails. Auctioneer Riley's voice at this juncture was so sweet and seductive that Right of Way Agent S. H. Babcock of the Rio Grande Western was almost moved to tears, and in a husky voice, in a moment of forgetfulness, exclaimed that he would rake in the whole lot at $25 per-car, or $2200. This left the Railway Company $13,000 in the broth, but the cars were sold for that figure. Mr. Bamberger stood ready to take the cars at $5 each, but did not have any show. The cars were worth perhaps $150 each, and- the man who sold them to John W. Young had painted the old things all up, and made them look very slick. He doubtless thought for the time that he had made a nice thing out of it, but he has learned by this time how futile are the hopes of this world, 'Pillars of earthly pride decay,' et cetera.
The Hot Springs road is expected to take the 785 tons of forty pounds steel, and it will give them good service. Someone wishing to create trouble, asked if Agent Riley had secured an auctioneer's license from the city to sell off those goods. If he didn't, the police would be shortly in hot pursuit of the violator of the law. Mr. Babcock is-supposed to have bought the cars for the Rio Grande Southern.
14 November 1891
"Railroad Material Sold," being the sale of 88 cars and some hundreds
of tons of rail, consigned to John W. Young, who has not paid the freight
charges thereon. The cars were shipped by the New York Equipment Co., from
Canton, Ohio, and as a period of six months has gone by without the payment of
the freights, the cars have been sold, to the R. G. W., at $25.00 each. The
rail, of 40-pound section, was sold at $27.50 per ton, for 785 tons of it, to
Simon Bamberger. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Herald, 14 November 1891)
17 November 1891
Rio Grande Western engines 38 and 51, freight engine 119, and 'Chippy' 103 are
in the shops for repairs and so forth; "No. 103 is being widened
out." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 17 November 1891)
26 November 1891
Item referring to the loop west of Goshen as being more scenic than Marshall
Pass; also, proposed new timetable as of January 1, 1892 to show service to
Tintic district and Eureka. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 November 1891)
2 December 1891
Letter from Eureka says track is four miles from town; still at work on a
tunnel in Homansville canyon; and grading beyond Eureka to Mammoth and Silver
City is in progress. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 2 December 1891)
7 December 1891
"Chair car 300 of the RGW is being placed on standard gauge trucks for
service on the Tintic Branch."
Engines 51, 124 and 132 are in for overhaul; the 103 is being widened; and the 54 is waiting for work. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 December 1891)
23 December 1891
The old 'spanish Fork' station, on the RGW, is now 'Vista'; the new 'spanish
Fork' station is on the Tintic Branch. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 December 1891)
24 December 1891
RGW 30 out of. the shop yesterday; the engine is one of two bought in Denver at
a sheriff's sale; the Great Salt Lake & Hot Springs would like to buy the
30, but the RGW is not selling. Engine 51 will be out of the shop next week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 December 1891)
31 December 1891
The depot at Eureka has been built, and side tracks now being put in. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 December 1891)
1 January 1892
RGW "widened" ten engines; most narrow gauge equipment sold to RGS,
only two chair cars being retained for future use; the old private car
'Trinidad' was sold to the GSL&HS road; and six new standard gauge
passenger cars added. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1892)
17 January 1892
The conversion of RGW engine No. 103 to standard gauge not yet completed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 January 1892)
4 February 1892
RGW No. 103 came out of shops yesterday, and goes to the Sevier branch. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 February 1892)
14 February 1892
Five new freight engines for RGW received at Burnham. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 February 1892)
27 February 1892
RGW engines 33, 109, 110 and 122 in for repairs. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 February 1892)
10 March 1892
"Railroad Rumbles." "Mr. J. H. Bennett is out over the line on a
special, accompanied by Savage, the artist, who is photographing points of
interest, specially making a photo of the double circle at Tintic, which is a
great engineering feat, that eclipses the Georgetown loop of Colorado, thereby
scoring another success for the Rio Grande Western." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 10 March 1892)
10 March 1892
"J. H. Bennett of the Rio Grande Western and Photographer Savage are down
on the Salina Branch taking views." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 March 1892)
12 March 1892
"Railroad Notes." "General Passenger Agent Bennett, of the
Denver & Rio Grande, returned yesterday from a five days' photographing trip
in the Eureka District." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 12 March 1892)
12 March 1892
"Photographer Savage and Mr. Bennett of the Rio Grande Western returned
yesterday from the new Tintic line, where they have secured what they believe
to be the best views ever taken in this territory." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 March 1892)
24 March 1892
RGW engine 111 being used as stationary boiler in shops, while old boilers are
taken out and new ones installed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 March 1892)
26 March 1892
"Tintic Branch Scenes" "Mr. Bennett of the Rio Grande Western
has fine new photos in his office of scenes along the line of the Tintic
Branch. He and Savage were down there not long ago, and fine negatives were
taken of the loop and adjoining country. Mr. Bennett had four trains stationed
on the loop so that they appeared one above the other, the train on the trestle
making a fine showing. The country is very romantic, and it has been suggested
to the road that side excursions be run this summer from Provo and Salt Lake to
Eureka over the Tintic branch, and it is probable that this will be done."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 March 1892)
13 May 1892
RGW engine 63 arrived at Pueblo yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 May 1892)
2 June 1892
RGW engines 39 and 152 collided north of Lehi yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 June 1892)
22 June 1892
RGW Engine 63 received in Salt Lake City yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 June 1892)
23 June 1892
A long item on RGW 63, which does not say much useful. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 June 1892)
23 July 1892
Another item on RGW 63. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 23 July 1892)
2 September 1892
Item on RGW 40, just out of. the shops with new 60-inch drivers in place of the
original 56-inch drivers; the first of several such rebuilds. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 September 1892)
27 September 1892
RGW 41 and 52 will next get larger drivers. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 September 1892)
15 October 1892
RGW 52 in process of rebuild; the 38 next. No. 123 just overhauled. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 October 1892)
5 November 1892
Item on RGW switcher No. 4, which hit a streetcar yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 November 1892)
6 November 1892
RGW engines 64, 65 and 66 have arrived at Grand Junction; to run between Grand
Junction and Helper, and Rome engines with new drivers Helper to Ogden. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 November 1892)
16 November 1892
"Narrow-gauge engine No. 14 has been loaded on a flat for shipment to
Grand Junction, for use beyond on the narrow gauge." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 November 1892)
2 April 1893
The R. G. W. has just received four new Pullman sleepers, of twelve section and
two drawing room plan, for use on the line. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 2 April 1893)
19 April 1893
The RGW s overhauling 11 engines at present, as well as baggage car 53, coach
211, and caboose No. 9, which has been practically rebuilt, with three more
cabooses to get the same. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 19 April 1893)
5 May 1893
"The depot flower park, just north of the general offices, is coming forth
with added lustre in the way of a new and ornamental fence about it." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 May
1893)
21 May 1893
RGW engine 34 badly damaged in smash at Provo on 19th Friday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 May
1893)
31 May 1893
RGW car and paint shop being put up south of the roundhouse and west of the
coal chutes; to be 40 x 252 feet in overall size; also an addition to the
machine shop, 60 x 144 feet. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 May 1893)
10 June 1893
RGW to run 'first class coaches' to Wasatch on the Alta line this summer;
tramway to Alta to be opened on the 15th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 June 1893)
11 June 1893
The R. G. W. announces that the Alta tramway will be open for business on and
after 15 June 1893, one trip per day. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 11 June 1893)
10 September 1893
Savage has completed "a very handsome set" of pictures along the RGW
and in Grand Valley in Colorado, and several 'magnificent' canyon views in the
vicinity of Glenwood. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 10 September 1893)
13 September 1893
The RGW does not want the San Pete Valley to get to Manti. San Pete Valley
right-of-way is to the west of RGW all the way to Manti, so the RGW built a
spur at Ephraim across the San Pete Valley route, and parked several empty
boxcars thereupon, with a loco standing by. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 September 1893)
11 October 1893
The Tribune prints the new wage schedule of the RGW -- a 10 percent cut all
around, effective the 10th -- notice dated 6th, posted on the 7th (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 October 1893)
31 October 1893
Union Pacific business car 03 was sent over to the RGW yard last night, and
goes to Scofield today with Mr. Mageath, Superintendent of the Union Pacific
Coal Department. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 31 October 1893)
27 November 1893
RGW switch engine 8 hit streetcar 25 at 5th west and North Temple yesterday
morning at 10 o'clock - three persons on car injured. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 November 1893)
1 January 1894
The RGW added $50,000 in new equipment. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1894)
18 June 1894
On Sunday, 17th, Rio Grande Western train 1, engine 66, and train 4, engine 42,
both passenger trains, met head-on at a point one mile west of Westwater
station. No injuries, and damage to the engines was only minor, as speed was
just 10 m.p.h. at the time. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 18 June 1894)
18 June 1894
Wreck yesterday of Trains 1 and 2, RGW, just west of Westwater, No 2 got
stopped before the crash, but engineer of No 1 (Rice) froze -- "It's all
my fault; I got my orders mixed." Engines crashed, but stayed on track,
though tenders and baggage cars mixed it up all right. Both crews managed to
jump before the smash; NO injuries. The Herald reported the wreck west of
Westwater, on the R. G. W., as involving train 1, engine 66, and train 4,
engine 42. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 18 June 1894)
18 July 1894
Palmer's car 'Nomad' has been in RGW shops for past three weeks, and comes out
tomorrow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 18 July 1894)
29 July 1894
The Rio Grande Western is building a new car shop, some 60 by 200 feet in size,
just west of the new paint shop recently completed. Engine 66 is out after an
overhaul. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 29 July 1894)
29 July 1894
A new wool warehouse of Holthusen & Co., near RGW freight house, is 35 by
100 feet, 2 floors, roof and sides covered in corrugated iron. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 July
1894)
8 August, 1894
Wreck on RGW yesterday, one mile west of Castilla Springs -- Engine 138, light
and westbound, and Engine 42, eastbound, banged into each other quite badly, as
Arthur Pickring, fireman on 138, was killed. (see 25 September 1894 for 42
again) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 8 August, 1894)
4 September 1894
"Hooper" on RGW changed to "Roy", account post office is
Roy. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
4 September 1894)
5 September 1894
RGW circular 51, on and after 6th, trains on Wasatch Branch dropped. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 September 1894)
7 September 1894
RGW 64 getting general overhaul. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 September 1894)
7 September 1894
RGW is putting up a new two stall enginehouse in Scofield, of corrugated iron,
to replace the one that burned in February. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 September 1894)
16 September 1894
RGW enginehouse at Springville, two stalls, burned on the morning of September
13th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
16 September 1894)
25 September 1894
RGW engine 42 out of shop after wreck repairs; No 125 out of shop after general
overhaul. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 25 September 1894)
26 September 1894
RGW engine 64 out of shops after overhaul. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 September 1894)
26 October 1894
RGW has been putting larger drivers on some of the 2-8-0 engines, and No 148 is
next. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
26 October 1894)
29 October 1894
New two-stall enginehouse to be built at Bingham Junction, of a frame
construction, covered in corrugated iron. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 October 1894)
4 November 1894
RGW shops at work rebuilding No 121, which blew up at Scofield in February of
this year. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 4 November 1894)
23 November 1894
Doors of RGW roundhouse in SLC about to be 14 inches wider and two feet higher
than at present, so all classes of engines will clear. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 November 1894)
1 December 1894
RGW Engine 119 just out after overhaul, and got larger drivers by way of new
and much thicker tires. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 1 December 1894)
18 December 1894
R.G.W. engine 65, a compound, is out of the shops after overhaul; and the car
shop is building two snowplows and one flanger. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 December 1894)
1 January 1895
RGW -- new carpenter's shop at SLC, 60 x 290 feet; and a new hotel at Thistle,
at cost of $3,000.00 (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 1 January 1895)
4 January 1895
The new snow plow recently built by the RGW in the SLC shops has been mounted
on an engine, and the same sent to Thistle, yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 January 1895)
27 January 1895
The RGW branch from Thistle to Salina is still laid with the old and light
'narrow gauge' iron, and being operated with the old narrow gauge engines now
widened. As these engines are wearing out, and the RGW has an offer on the
rails, it is likely that it will soon be relaid with rails that will hold the
regular standard gauge engines. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 January 1895)
3 March 1895
J. H. Bennett, on RGW, has chosen to resign, rather than work under the new
Traffic Manager, Babcock, who was once a flunkie under Bennett. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 March
1895)
6 March 1895
RGW car 'A' is undergoing a thorough overhaul. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 March 1895)
4 September 1895
The RGW has just completed a new depot at Lehi. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 September 1895)
12 April 1896
The RGW is building a new freight depot on the southwest corner of 2nd South
and 4th West (now 5th West). (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 April 1896)
21 May 1896
Rio Grande Western track crossed the town line into Richfield on 20th of May,
1896, at 4:20 p.m. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 21 May 1896)
22 May 1896
The R. G. W. will begin regular passenger train schedule to Richfield on June
1st, and will run a special excursion to that place on the 2nd. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May
1896)
24 June 1897
"Utah Central Bought", by the RGW, says the item; tracks still in up
to Fort and beyond; this item says the U.C. has seven locomotives, and 143
other cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 24 June 1897)
26 June 1897
"Hail to the Rio Grande Western." "About the best news received
in Park City in many a day was the announcement on Thursday that the Rio Grande
Western had purchased the Utah Central road." This, of course, to be of
great benefit to Park City, "…and it will result in the building of a
depot in Park City, a concession that the Utah Central people studiously failed
to grant." (Pitchard, Park Record,
Park City, 26 June 1897)
17 September 1897
The RGW is building two new cabooses in the shops. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 September 1897)
6 October 1897
The RGW presently has engines 8, 63, 142 and 148 being 'very fully overhauled.'
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 October 1897)
10 October 1897
Accident on RGW at Thistle on the 8th -- engine 52 backed into engine 9, while
the 9 was on the way to the coal dock. 9 was 'very badly damaged', the 52 only
slightly. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 10 October 1897)
4 January 1898
The Rio Grande Western/D. & R. G. city ticket office will be moved in the
very near future to 109 West 2nd South, in the Dooley Building. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 4 January
1898)
11 January 1898
The Rio Grande Western has begun the use of semaphore signals, the first one,
at Thistle, now in use. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 11 January 1898)
27 January 1898
"Wreck at Springville." "Springville, Utah, Jan. 26. -- A wreck
occurred on the Rio Grande Western at the yards in this city at 2:30 o'clock
this afternoon, engine No. 135, pulling train No. 27, a heavy freight train,
smashed into engine No. 129, which was attached to freight train No. 26, that
was standing in the yard. Just at the east end of the yard limits there is a
curve which prevents a long view of the track, and Engineer Stewart of engine
No. 135, which was pulling the train going west, did not discover the train on
the track until he rounded the curve, then he reversed his engine and whistled
for the other train to back out of the way. Engineer Rugg of engine No. 129
could not back his train so they came together with considerable force. And as
a result eight freight cars are more or less damaged, some of them smashed into
kindling wood. Four of the cars are off the track. The engines were not damaged
to any extent. They both lost their pilots, and engine No. 129's front end was
smashed in, and the probable amount of damage will foot up to $7000. There was
no one injured in the collision." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 January 1898)
1 February 1898
"Utah Central Change." "The Road Now Operated by the Rio Grande
Western." "With the ringing of the bells last midnight the Utah
Central passed into the hands of the Rio Grande Western." That is, at
12:01am, 1 February 1898. At present, the only real change is to be the arrival
and departure of Utah Central trains from the R.G.W. depot on Second South. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 February 1898)
4 March 1898
RGW timetable No. 34, in effect 12:01 am 5 March 1898. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 March 1898)
22 March 1898
John Hickey is the RGW's Master Mechanic -- had been with the N. P. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 March
1898)
13 April 1898
The R.G.W. has just received two chair cars, of the very latest pattern. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 April 1898)
23 May 1898
The R.G.W. has gotten some new coaches from Pullman, to go along with the new
chair cars recently received. All are of the wide vestibule pattern. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 May
1898)
24 May 1898
The R.G.W. yesterday added a 60' theatrical baggage car, which has side and end
doors, but no platforms. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 24 May 1898)
7 June 1898
Change of station name - "Pleasant Valley Junction" is now known as
"Colton," in honor of one of the old officials. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 June 1898)
10 July 1898
"All the old Utah Central equipment will soon be relettered 'R.G.W.' and
renumbered." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 10 July 1898)
16 July 1898
"Branch Line Improvement." "Equipment of the Park City road to
be Overhauled…" "Regarding the equipment of the narrow gauge line,
Mr. Welby states that it is now being overhauled and all the old or
unserviceable equipment will go to the scrap heap, while the serviceable
engines and cars will be gradually put through the shops for repairs, new paint
and lettering." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 16 July 1898)
19 July 1898
RGW timetable No 35, in effect Sunday 17 July 1898. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 July 1898)
9 August 1898
The RGW has gotten 'some large and beautiful views of Parley's Canyon' from
Savage, some of which will be used in advertising materials. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 August
1898)
27 September 1898
The RGW has replaced the 45 pound rail between Manti and Spring City with 56
pound steel rail. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 27 September 1898)
22 October 1898
All Rio Grande Western baggage and express cars are being lettered for Wells,
Fargo & Co. Express. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 22 October 1898)
22 October 1898
A new Pullman sleeper-buffet car in service on the RGW is "Buda." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 October 1898)
28 October 1898
A mixing of engines at Springville yesterday -- 36 and 10 were outside the
enginehouse, the 137 inside. The hostler, moving 36 about, lost control, hit
the 10, shoving it through the enginehouse doors, which more closed at the
time, hitting in turn the 137, and putting the 137 through the back wall. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 October 1898)
1 November 1898
The RGW has secured a right-of-way across the electric light company's works to
the new depot site, in Park City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 November 1898)
4 November 1898
The RGW train down from Park City yesterday made the initial trip over the new
trestle in Lamb's Canyon. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 4 November 1898)
5 November 1898
RGW timetable No. 36 in effect 12:01am today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 November 1898)
28 November 1898
"Wants More Cars" on the broad gauge; item says that RGW has 933
broad gauge and 87 narrow gauge freight cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 November 1898)
28 December 1898
The new R.G.W. depot at Springville has been completed, and was occupied by the
agent, for business, on the 26th.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 December 1898)
1 January 1899
Review of 1898: The RGW bought eight engines, four chair cars, two coaches, one
theatrical baggage car and 32 freight cars, and built four caboose cars. The
RGW built a new station at Springville.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1899)
9 January 1899
"…last year the Western got several coaches and chair cars,…, and has
but lately ordered three palatial dining-cars." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 January 1899)
11 January 1899
"The Rio Grande Western has ordered another sixty-foot baggage car similar
to the one it bought last year. The car will be part of the Western's quota of
through cars for Wells, Fargo & Co. between San Francisco and
Chicago." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 11 January 1899)
25 January 1899
100 stock cars being built for the Rio Grande Western by the Illinois Car &
Equipment Co., cars being 36'6" long and of 30 ton capacity. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 January 1899)
27 February 1899
"Local Rails for Nevada;" info from the White Pine (Nev.) 'News' says
"…that the Glasgow & Western company has purchased from the Rio
Grande Western railroad rails, locomotives and other plant formerly used on the
narrow gauge, for the railroad from Wells to Cherry Creek." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 February 1899)
28 February 1899
Rio Grande Western chair car 402 has just left the shops. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 February 1899)
17 March 1899
"The 'Nomad' is in the local shops of the Rio Grande Western." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 March
1899)
21 March 1899
The Railway Age says that Pullman is building three coaches for the Rio Grande
Western. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 21 March 1899)
31 March 1899
'Nomad', in overhaul now, is painted Tuscan red, as is all passenger equipment
on the Rio Grande Western. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 March 1899)
31 March 1899
The RGW has just received a Model G Barnhart steam shovel, which has a scoop
capacity of 3 to 32 yards, it says.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 March 1899)
6 April 1899
"No. 71, the big passenger engine for the desert run, was turned out of
the Rio Grande Western shops yesterday, looking new and bright." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 April
1899)
19 April 1899
"President Palmer is now occupying the 'Nomad,' which has recently
been through the Salt Lake shops."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 April 1899)
26 April 1899
"The first engine that has received a general overhauling at the Thistle
shops of the R.G.W. has just been out upon her first trip. It is engine No.2,
one of the 'set-out' engines." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 April 1899)
8 May 1899
"Work in Thistle Shops," a paragraph on Thistle and the shops of the
Rio Grande Western there, half of which is of no value; the other half says:
"Two set-out engines have lately been given a general overhauling and were
turned out in first-class shape, engine No. 2 having taken a train of fourteen
loads of stock from the branch, the largest train ever pulled by one of this
class. Engine 4 has not yet made her first trip, but it is certain she can do
almost if not quite as well. These set-out engines are to be used this coning
summer upon the branches."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 May 1899)
21 May 1899
The Rio Grande Western is to take part in the "Chicago-Portland
Special," in connection with the D&RG and the OSL, on a Denver to
Portland branch of the service. The Western is painting up new chair cars 402
and 403, for which "the standard Tuscan red … has been changed to Van
Dyke brown [with] rich gold facings." Cars will be lettered to match the
scheme of the OSL cars. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 21 May 1899)
22 May 1899
The RGW has four old engineers, three of whom worked on the D&RG narrow
gauge in Colorado prior to 1883, and one, Stewart, who worked on the Utah &
Pleasant Valley and stayed on when the D&RGW bought the U&PV in 1882. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May
1899)
22 May 1899
"The 1201, an 80,000 pounds capacity coal car, has been turned out of the
Western shops." RGW #1201 matches OSL #5001, built in Fall 1898. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May
1899)
24 May 1899
There will be a new RGW timetable on June 1st. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 May 1899)
25 May 1899
"New Color Standard." "The standard color, Tuscan red, now used
for Rio Grande Western passenger equipment, will be succeeded by the Van Dyke
brown. Vice-President and General Manager D. C. Dodge made the statement
yesterday,…" This change the result of Dodge seeing the chair cars for the
Chicago-Portland Special and liking their appearance. "…the Van Dyke
brown is almost a black…"
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 May 1899)
29 May 1899
RGW dining car 'Ogden' arrived last night, the first on the RGW; to go into
service Thursday; car is painted Tuscan red, with mahogany interior. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 May
1899)
30 May 1899
The other two of the dining cars for RGW, 'salt Lake' and 'Provo,' have
arrived. The Superintendent of Dining Cars is D. S. Fraser; on the cars the
following: car 'salt Lake,' W. C. Brady is Steward, J. C. Eichhorn is chef; on
the car 'Ogden,' C. G. Lewis is Steward and P. Linnet is chef; and on the car
'Provo,' H. S. Hubbard is Steward and Frank Rice the chef. "The waiters
are all experienced colored men…" "The linen, silver and Haviland
china are all marked 'Rio Grande Western Rwy…" At present, cars are
still scheduled to go into service on Thursday the 1st of June. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 May
1899)
31 May 1899
"'salt Lake' on Exhibition." "The Rio Grande Western dining car
'salt Lake' will be open for visitors between 3 and 5 this afternoon. The
tables will be laid and the niches between the windows filled with palms and
flowers for the event. All who wish to see the car will be welcomed. It will be
at the depot." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 31 May 1899)
1 June 1899
"Open for Inspection." "About 150 people visited the Rio Grande
Western dining-car 'salt Lake' as it stood on the side track ready to go out.
The tables were all set, the chef and assistants in white linen were in the
kitchen, while Conductor Brady and assistants were in the main salon. The
tables were prettily decorated with roses and carnations and potted plants were
placed over each table." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 June 1899)
5 June 1899
"The Rio Grande western's heavy engine 203 is out of the shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 June
1899)
19 June 1899
Name change on the R. G. W.: Clear Creek is changed to Tucker; and Mud Creek is
changed to Clear Creek. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 19 June 1899)
26 June 1899
RGW declares a dividend of 1-1/4 percent on the preferred stock. The D.&
R.G. also declares, but 2 percent for them. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 June 1899)
8 July 1899
RGW engine 202 and 12 Pullmans made 65 mph between Provo and SLC. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 July
1899)
15 July 1899
The "Colorado - Utah Line" legend is to go on all RGW cars as they
are repainted in brown with gold lettering. Mail and express car #3 is the
first car so done; it has 'Wells, Fargo & Co.' and 'Express,' curved, in
the space between doors on the sides, with 'Baggage' at one end, and 'U. S.
Mail' at the other. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 15 July 1899)
15 July 1899
"It is expected that trains will run into the new R. G. W. depot one week
from tomorrow. A gang of men will be up Monday to lay the new tracks,
etc." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park
City, 15 July 1899)
19 July 1899
Baggage car 57 and coach 208 are next to get the "Colorado - Utah
Line" treatment, and are now in the paint shop; Mail & Express #3 is
done. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
19 July 1899)
29 July 1899
The RGW's Sunnyside branch has 10 miles graded and 3-1/2 miles laid with steel
rails. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 29 July 1899)
5 August 1899
A wreck yesterday on the Rio Grande Western, at Solitude. Fruit Express, train
#16, Engine #134, engineer Frank McMahon and fireman James H. Whalen, both out
of Grand Junction, and both died in the wreck. McMahon had transferred from the
Colorado Midland in 1894. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 5 August 1899)
14 August 1899
RGW car 'B' has just come out of the shops.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 August 1899)
23 August 1899
"To Change All Cars"- the RGW plans to repaint all passenger
equipment to "Colorado - Utah Line" light brown scheme. Colorado -
Utah Line cars are now used on trains 9 and 10. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 August 1899)
25 August 1899
Wreck at Nolan on the RGW on the 23rd; Ex East and train No. 17 ran head-on.
Robert Matthews, engineer, dead.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 August 1899)
2 September 1899
RGW branch from Mounds to Sunnyside mines in Whitmore canyon to be finished in
a few days. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 2 September 1899)
4 September 1899
The RGW, when it took over the Utah Central, did away with the switchbacks and
put in the long trestle at the mouth of Lamb's Canyon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 September 1899)
22 September 1899
"Track Reaches Heber" on the Provo Canyon Branch, and Supplement #1
to timetable #39 will be issued this week; the last rail was laid last evening,
and circular #70, signed by Gen. Supt. Welby, gives notice that the Branch will
be officially opened 1 October 1899. The stations and mileposts, given in the
paper, are:
| Station | Mile | Station # |
| Provo | 0.0 | 81B |
| Smoot | 1.1 | 1P |
| Caryhurst | 5.8 | 6P |
| Nunn's | 9.4 | 9P |
| Falls | 9.8 | 10P |
| Forks | 11.8 | 12P |
| Wallsburg | 18.0 | 18P |
| Charleston | 21.8 | 22P |
| Heber | 25.8 | 26P |
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 September 1899)
1 October 1899
The Rio Grande Western has completed the extension from Scofield to Clear Creek
(formerly mud Creek), which point the track reached yesterday. Length of
extension is seven miles, and the reason for it was the coal mines at Clear
Creek. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 1 October 1899)
8 October 1899
"The Rio Grande Western has had three new and very handsome Pullman
sleepers assigned to its through trains." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 October 1899)
14 October 1899
New RGW Timetable No. 40, in effect 12:01 am 16 October 1899 (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 October 1899)
21 November 1899
"The new dining car of the Rio Grande Western will be named 'Utah."' (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 November 1899)
23 November 1899
"The baggage car 5, now owned by the Western, was bought by John W. Young,
for the Fort Douglas road, of the Utah & Northern. It was built at Eagle
Rock, Idaho, in 1883." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 November 1899)
29 November 1899
The RGW started Monday, 27th, tearing down old ice houses across the track from
the depot in SLC, there being a new ice house at 5th South; new boiler shop is
up, and the interior finishing in progress. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 November 1899)
15 December 1899
The RGW has finished pulling down the old icehouses; and the 'Nomad' is in for
repairs at the shops. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 15 December 1899)
17 December 1899
The Pullman dining car "Utah" to make its first trip today, coming in
on train No. 1. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 17 December 1899)
31 December 1899
RGW bought four dining cars; new machine shop in 1898. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 December 1899)
3 January 1900
"Lights Turned On" - electricity is now used to light the R.G.W.'s
shops, yard and offices, doing away with the oil lamps used before. The plant
was installed by Intermountain Electric Co.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 January 1900)
5 January 1900
"The 'Nomad' has emerged from the Rio Grande Western shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 January 1900)
13 January 1900
RGW engine 63, built as a Baldwin compound, is about to have a set of Richmond
compound cylinders put in, they having been received. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 January 1900)
10 February 1900
RGW passenger train #3 wrecked at Tucker on Thursday, 8th; no serious injuries,
but four cars need work. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 10 February 1900)
16 February 1900
The R. G. W. is replacing the old bridge over the Green River with a new steel
structure. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 16 February 1900)
20 February 1900
Grading on the Marysvale line, R.G.W., is nearly completed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 February 1900)
20 February 1900
The new bridge over the Green River on the RGW is one of three spans,
pin-connected through truss style, by Edgemoor Bridge Co. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 February 1900)
24 February 1900
R.G.W. timetable #41 in effect 12:01am Sunday 25 February 1900. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 February 1900)
2 March 1900
"The Railway Review has an illustrated article on the double circle of the
Rio Grande Western's Tintic branch."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 March 1900)
6 March 1900
R.G.W. timetable #42 in effect 12:01am, 6 March 1900. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 March 1900)
8 March 1900
The Rio Grande Western is relocating one mile of track between Murray and
Bingham Junction. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 8 March 1900)
13 March 1900
An item on R.G.W. 'little 04,' which was brought over from the Rio Grande
Southern. Engineers Ben Estes and John Stewart and fireman Ralph Cottrell say
that they have found a mark on her that they remember, which they say makes this
engine to be old number 78; "The engine came back to go on the Utah
Central. Its plate bears the date"1880." (Note that the records do
not bear out the above as to numbers.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 March 1900)
18 March 1900
The R.G.W. will change time again on the 25th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 March 1900)
23 March 1900
"Three cabooses are being built in the Western's shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 March 1900)
24 March 1900
RGW Timetable No. 43, effective 25 March 1900. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 March 1900)
14 April 1900
"Car 'A' has just emerged from the Rio Grande western shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 April 1900)
23 April 1900
RGW Engine No. 5, at Thistle for some time, has come up to go into the shops at
Salt Lake for repairs. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 23 April 1900)
25 April 1900
"The diner 'Ogden,' which was on the Utah Central wrecked train, went out
on No. 6 yesterday." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 25 April 1900)
26 April 1900
"No. 64, long baggage car, is the first of the new cars to be received by
the Western. It has been placed in service." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 April 1900)
26 April 1900
"The Denver Times of Tuesday says: 'This morning the Rio Grande Western
received a train of new coaches and combination baggage cars fresh from the
shops, which will be placed on the through line. They are lettered on the sides
in gilt letters, 'Colorado - Utah Line;' in bracket lettering on the sides near
the ends are the words, 'Rio Grande Western,' but the catch line is the first
mentioned. They are the finest coaches that have yet come to Denver, and were
greatly admired by railroad men seeing them at the depot this morning.' " (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 April 1900)
28 April 1900
"The new cafe car of the Rio Grande Western will be placed in service on
No.'s 1 and 4 on Sunday." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 April 1900)
1 May 1900
A drawing/picture of the RGW's new bridge over the Green River, shows four
spans, one of which is flat-topped, the other three curved; cost of the bridge
given as $54,000.00. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 1 May 1900)
2 May 1900
The Scofield mine disaster occurred yesterday, the 1st, at 10:25am. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 May
1900)
3 May 1900
R.G.W. now has 20 vestibuled passenger cars.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 May 1900)
4 May 1900
"New Passenger Equipment." "The Rio Grande Western's new
passenger equipment is all here and very fine are the cars. First is the cafe
car No. 500, which has a coach end for smokers, and a dining room seating
sixteen, a cafe and large kitchen in the other end. The two first class coaches
217 and 218 are of the finest type; two combination passenger and baggage No.
98 and 99; two straight baggage cars; two long excursion cars; and two
combination baggage, mail and express cars. All of the windows are of the new
double style casing with circular top sash. Steel platforms, full wide
vestibules and perfect appointments are features." "The long
excursion cars each seat eighty people." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 May 1900)
8 May 1900
RGW Timetable No. 45 in effect 13 May 1900. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 May 1900)
14 May 1900
"Dining-car 'Utah' is in the Burnham shops. Cafe car '500,' which was
built for the Tintic run, is filling in on the dining-car run, eight cars being
needed." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 14 May 1900)
3 June 1900
"P. Malstran, one of the Rio Grande Western's oldest conductors, was in
town yesterday. He has been on the branch for seventeen years, even to the old
days of the Wasatch & Jordan Valley and the Bingham Canyon & Camp
Floyd." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 3 June 1900)
5 June 1900
"Big 63's Fast Run." "Engine 63 of the Rio Grande Western,
lately fitted with Richmond compound cylinders, did herself proud down on the
desert one day not long ago. It was pulling No. 6, and the train was an hour
late. From Helper to Grand Junction the run was made in 4 hours and 11 minutes,
the schedule time being 5:20. It beat its own schedule by nine minutes and made
up the lost hour, and this with two water stops and one flag stop." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 June
1900)
11 June 1900
"The Coupler Fight" over the Sams coupler. After 1 August 1900 the
Union Pacific will NOT accept as an automatic coupler on cars of foreign roads
- and most of the RGW's cars are equipped with the Sams coupler. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 June
1900)
14 June 1900
"New coach 218, a beauty, has arrived at the depot and was sent down on
No. 8 last night for the Scandinavian excursion today over the Western."
"Western baggage car 55, which has been on the sidetrack for several
years, has been taken to the shops for general repairs. Car 51 is also
in." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 14 June 1900)
19 June 1900
R. G. W. "Directors Arrive," with President Palmer and in his car
'Nomad,' Colonel Dodge in car 'A' and with car 'B' as well. Also in the party
was Dr. Wm. A. Bell, of Colorado Springs.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 June 1900)
20 June 1900
The RGW directors' special left last evening at 8:10pm as the second section of
train No. 4, engine 53, coach 98, car 'A' and the 'Nomad;' Sup't. Welby, Chief
Engineer Yard and Sup't. Sharp went along. Earlier yesterday, the directors,
with Palmer, went as a special, in a coach and car 'B,' up to Altus, the first
broad gauge train to that point.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 June 1900)
24 June 1900
The RGW will relay the rail taken from the Park City narrow gauge on the
extension from Belknap to Marysvale, starting July 4th. Grade was finished to
Marysvale some time ago, and the bridges were completed last night, now just
waiting for rail. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 24 June 1900)
26 June 1900
On Sunday, the 24th, the R.G.W. ran an excursion train consisting entirely of
vestibuled equipment, the first such train operated. The cars were
baggage-smoker #98, excursion cars 300 and 301, and coaches 217 and 218, all
"painted exactly alike in the new color and lettering…" The color
was not given. The excursion was from Salt Lake City to Provo and return. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 June
1900)
28 June 1900
"The new Rio Grande Western switcher 21 is here from the Schenectady
works. It is very lively in its movements and has no pony truck but merely six
drivers. The tank is of the sloping-top design." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 June 1900)
2 July 1900
"Schenectady switcher No. 21 of the Western is giving the laugh to the
set-out engines like 12 and 3. Even 133 is slow when compared to the new
sprinter. The engine is now in service." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 July 1900)
8 July 1900
"Rio Grande Western cafe car 500 has been taken off No. 1 and is in the
shops. This car was bought for the Tintic Flyers and it may be that it will be
put in service on No. 7 and No. 8 at once." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 July 1900)
10 July 1900
"The New 401" "Rio Grande Western's Heavy Freight Engines on
Way" they being new 2-8-0 engines from the Richmond works, four in the 300
class and four in the 400 class, the difference being that the 300's have
56" drivers, and the 400's have 51" drivers. A cut is given of the
401. The engines have 22x28" cylinders, and an engine weight of 179,800
pounds. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 10 July 1900)
11 July 1900
"The R.G.W. will have-a photo taken of 401 and 04 side by side. No. 401
represents the Western of 1900 and 04 the Denver & Rio Grande Western of
twenty years ago." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 11 July 1900)
26 July 1900
"Engine 400 of the Western was expected in last night." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 July
1900)
28 July 1900
"Cafe car 500 is still on the side track at the Western depot."
"The new 300 and 400 class engines are being used in the mountain district
between Helper and Tucker."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 July 1900)
28 July 1900
"The passenger cars of the Western are still going through the paint
shops, emerging in the new dress and color." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 July 1900)
30 July 1900
"The dining car 'Provo' goes into the shop for repairs upon her return
from Denver." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 30 July 1900)
5 August 1900
"Lay Track Tomorrow" "'Tracklaying on the Marysvale extension
will commence Monday,' remarked Col. D. C. Dodge last night in car A. 'At
least,' he continued, 'all the material and men necessary are being sent down,
and we hope to have the work started Monday…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 5 August 1900)
8 August 1900
"The dining car 'Provo' went to the shops Monday for a general
overhauling." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 8 August 1900)
14 August 1900
Tracklaying began yesterday at Belknap, on way to Marysvale. "No. 301
passed through here yesterday."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 August 1900)
18 August 1900
A wreck yesterday at Lehi on the R.G.W., as second No. 10, engine 33, hit the
rear of first No. 10; damage, about $300.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 August 1900)
24 August 1900
"Tracklaying on the Marysvale extension of the R.G.W. is progressing
nicely. About four miles are already down below Belknap. The extra rail of the
Utah Central has all been taken up between Salt Lake and Barclay's and is being
sent to Belknap as quickly as possible." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 August 1900)
28 August 1900
The track is within three miles of Marysvale. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 August 1900)
4 September 1900
Coach 100 about to be rebuilt into a business car for Chief Engineer Yard of
the RGW. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 4 September 1900)
4 September 1900
Dodge says that the track to Marysvale should be completed now. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 September 1900)
4 September 1900
"Benefit the Stockmen" "The R.G.W. has in contemplation a plan
which is original and will be a great boon to the big live-stock shippers. When
a train of livestock is shipped the owners usually send several attendants and
feeders along to look after the stock. The ordinary caboose is only large
enough to accommodate the train crew, and on such trips it is crowded. The
Western, as soon as it can do so, will convert passenger cars 70, 71, 101 and
140 into special cars for the stockmen. They will be fitted up with bunks,
dining table and kitchen, and in this way the shippers of stock can go along
with their train and be comfortable at the same time." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 September 1900)
4 September 1900
"The car shops of the R. G. W. will turn out in a day or so the diner
'Provo.' A fine job has been made and the car is greatly improved. A new
vestibule has been placed in one end with a diagonal passageway, so passengers
can enter the rear end of the car without seeing the kitchen at the other end,
and a useless washstand has been converted into cigar lockers. The car comes
out in the new color and lettering."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 September 1900)
9 September 1900
Henry Schlacks, Supt. of Machinery on the D&RG -- two of his sons are:
Joseph T. Schlacks who is now made division master mechanic at Helper; and
Charles H. Schlacks, who is general manager of the Colorado Midland. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 September 1900)
11 September 1900
"The 'Provo' diner came out yesterday in a beautiful new dress." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 September 1900)
24 September 1900
"The diner 'salt Lake' is now in the Rio Grande Western shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 September 1900)
9 October 1900
"Two more cabooses are to be built in the Western's shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 October 1900)
9 October 1900
The R.G.W. has begun grading at Elgin on the main line for the new U. C.
'cut-off' line, and are putting in a wye at Elgin. (Ed. note: This is the
current location of Roper Yard.)
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 October 1900)
12 October 1900
RGW Timetable No. 48 went into effect last midnight. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 October 1900)
12 October 1900
"The diner 'Ogden' is ready to leave the shops. The 'salt Lake' will be
the next to go through." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 October 1900)
13 October 1900
"The car shops of the R.G.W. are record-breakers when it comes to building
cabooses." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 13 October 1900)
13 October 1900
"The new passenger engines of the Western will be of the 80 class, and the
new freights of the 500 class." "Set-out engine No. 13 is out of the
Western shops. It was formerly No. 3 of the Central, and will be used on the
Heber or Sevier branch." "Schenectady switcher No. 22 has been placed
in service on the Rio Grande Western. No. 23 is being built." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 October 1900)
14 October 1900
R.G.W. graders are at work below 12th south near the State street crossing. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 October 1900)
23 October 1900
"The diner 'salt Lake' is now in the paint shop." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 October 1900)
25 October 1900
"A comfortable bunk car for the locating engineers is being made of the
former Utah Central coach 100. A draughting-room, office, berths, dining room
and kitchen will be arranged." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 October 1900)
3 November 1900
New Pullman cars just placed in service on the Denver -- Ogden run, apparently
of 12 section and 1 drawing room design; names are as follows: Islington,
Lyonton, Leighton, and Quinten. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 November 1900)
10 November 1900
"The Rio Grande Western live-stockmen's special cars are ready to emerge
from the shop. They are numbered 350, 351 and 352, and named appropriately
Bovine, Toro and Vaca. The cars are in the new standard color and Colorado -
Utah line lettering. Inside, they have cook stoves, lunch table, berths and card
tables. The cars are to be used for owners and attendants of train loads of
cattle going down to the river markets." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 November 1900)
10 November 1900
"The business car for the Rio Grande Western engineering department is
nearly completed, and the workmanship of the interior shows what clever
artisans there are in the local shops. The rear of the car has an office and
draughting table with lockers for blueprints and maps. Berths and seats are
combined on the Pullman plan, with room for seven persons. A kitchen is in the
forward end, with cupboards, sink, range, boiler and other conveniences. The
car will be of standard color and lettering, and probably be known as
'C'." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 10 November 1900)
11 November 1900
The RGW is changing over to Tower automatic couplers. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 November 1900)
3 December 1900
The R.G.W. orders five compound 2-8-0 engines from Richmond, and 100 box cars
from AC&F. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 3 December 1900)
7 December 1900
"The three drover's cars of the Rio Grande Western are ready for service.
The first one went out last night with the Payson train." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 December 1900)
11 December 1900
"Another Car Order" by the R.G.W., of 50 stock cars, also AC&F. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 December 1900)
11 December 1900
"Will be Steep Grade" when the RGW extends its line from Bingham to
the mines of the Bingham Copper & Gold Mining Company, three miles up the
canyon. "For the first two miles beyond Bingham the present grade of the
company's three-foot gauge tramway will be used as far as practicable. Beyond
that point the work will be new." "It is to be standard gauge and
operated with a Shay engine." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 December 1900)
19 December 1900
"Cars A, B and E are in the Rio Grande Western shops. The two first named
for a general overhauling and the latter being nearly rebuilt. Car B is having
11,000 pounds of ballast put in and six wheel trucks will be used." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 December 1900)
20 December 1900
The R.G.W. is trying out an electric headlight of Pyle-National pattern on
engines 29 and 40. The dynamo is located back of the sand done. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 December 1900)
27 December 1900
The RGW orders more cars, 100 each of box, flat and gondola cars and 40 Goodwin
dump cars; "And last, but not least, one more palatial dining car has been
ordered. This will make four diners and one cafe car owned by the company. The
cafe car is still at Salt Lake, out of service, but a place will be found for
it soon." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 27 December 1900)
30 December 1900
Review of 1900: "The Rio Grande Western three-mile extension at Bingham
will be known as the Copper Belt Railroad and will be operated by J. G.
Jacobs." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 30 December 1900)
4 January 1901
"Railroad Notes." "Car A is out of the western's shops and goes
East . today. Car B will be out by the 12th, looking like new with its standard
color and lettering. It has been equipped with new six-wheel trucks and
ballasted with five tons of steel." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 January 1901)
31 January 1901
"Railroad Notes." "Engines 500 and 501 of the Rio Grande Western
are in service between Helper and Grand Junction. They are of the last order,
and all the new engines will soon be mere." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 January 1901)
12 February 1901
"Will Lay Track Next Week." "It is expected that the steel gang
will commence laying track on the Twelfth South street cut-off of the Park City
line next week, as the work at Bingham will be finished. It will only take a
week or ten days to finish the cut-off, and in a very short time the track will
be taken up from Eighth and Ninth South and along Eleventh East streets." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 February 1901)
14 February 1901
A sketch published of the RGW shops and roundhouse layout. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 February 1901)
26 February 1901
"Work will be commenced in a few days on track laying for the Utah Central
cut-off. The steel is piled up at Roper, where the cut-off leaves the main
line." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 26 February 1901)
26 February 1901
"Several mail and baggage cars are being considerably altered in the
Western's shop." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 26 February 1901)
27 February 1901
"Talks with Travelers." "It has been raining for several weeks
between Thistle and Manti," said Engineer Beless of the Rio Grande Western
yesterday…" "Heavy engines are running to Manti, but be low there
the smaller set-out engines are used." "The old Vauclain compounds
are being altered over into Richmond compounds, with the high-pressure cylinder
on one side and the low-pressure cylinder on the other." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 February 1901)
1 March 1901
Track on the cut-off is nearly done, as it is now laid as far as 9th East. Once
done, the present line along the canal will come up. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 March 1901)
2 March 1901
"Features of New Line." The cut-off to be completed tonight; meets
present line in back of the prison, about 1/2 mile east of 11th East street.
New line crosses 11th East 1/2 block below Smoot's corner. The line is laid
with 65 pound steel. "The present narrow gauge track to Mill Creek will be
torn up and a broad-gauge line substituted." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 March 1901)
6 March 1901
New R.G.W. dining car "Colorado" has arrived. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 March 1901)
7 March 1901
Two of the new 80 class passenger engines have arrived at the Rio Grande
Western roundhouse (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 7 March 1901)
11 March 1901
Contrary to item of 2 March, connection of cut-off has not yet been made; is
not known yet when will be done. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 March 1901)
11 March 1901
R.G.W. train 4 last night had dining car "Colorado" and car A. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 March
1901)
19 March 1901
"Last Trains Today" over the old 8th South line; once the morning
passenger train to Park City (#42) passes, the line will be cut, and the new
line connected, behind the prison. The old line, along 8th South and down 11th
East as far as Garfield Ave, will be taken up at once. Trains have heretofore
stopped at Liberty Park, but now, quite obviously, will no longer do so. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 March
1901)
26 March 1901
Item dated at New York on 25th: Sale of the R.G.W. to the D&RG (which is to
say Gould) is confirmed. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 26 March 1901)
31 March 1901
R. G. W. board has approved sale of road to D. & R. G. company. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 March
1901)
18 July 1901
"New Trademark" for the RGW, in the form of the familiar D&RG
one, of Curecanti Needle, except the RGW has Castle Gate, 'Rio Grande Western
Ry." around the outside circle, and the banner says 'Great Salt Lake
Route'; "The first electrotype of the new design is printed herewith."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 July 1901)
30 July 1901
The new herald, as above, has been applied to the City Ticket Office window. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 July
1901)
19 May 1902
'New Engine Here', being No. 809; in item reference is made to Engine No. 102,
old Utah Central engine, now in snow plow service. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 May 1902)
22 May 1902
RGW car 'B' is in for overhaul, repainting, etc.; will emerge from the shops as
the car 'Wasatch'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 22 May 1902)
18 June 1902
RGW Coach 213 has been rebuilt with a Pullman vestibule, the first of such
rebuilds, but not the last. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 June 1902)
29 June 1902
RGW engine 12 still in service, in this case helping to block the OSL from
crossing an RGW track in SLC. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 June 1902)
2 October 1902
RGW's car 'Nomad' is now being rebuilt at Burnham, will come out as the car
'Denver' when done. Cars on the Utah end are 'Utah', 'salt Lake', 'Provo',
'Wasatch' and 'Ogden'. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 2 October 1902)
4 December 1902
RGW cafe car 500 is now dining car 'Pueblo'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 December 1902)
