Steam Locomotives

The SP-1744 is a fully-restored, 2-6-0 Mogul steam locomotive built by Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia for the Southern Pacific Railroad. The engine was commissioned into regular service in 1901.

The SP-1744 served a variety of roles throughout the first half of the 20th century, with her primary roots in the central valleys of California before retiring from general service in the mid-1950s. A few years later, she was brought back into the limelight when she became a one-time classic film star, starring alongside Rock Hudson on the silver screen in “The Earth is Mine.”

Later, she was acquired by railroads in Utah and then Texas, then New Orleans before being acquired by the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.

The LS&I-18 is a fully-restored, 2-8-0 Consolidation steam locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company at its Pittsburgh works in 1910. The LS&I, or Lake Superior and Ishpeming, was a northern Michigan railroad that primarily hauled iron ore, and when they were built, the C-5 Consolidations were the most powerful locomotives on the roster.

After the LS&I converted to diesel in the 1950’s, the 18 was stored. Later, itt was sold to the Marquette and Huron Mountain tourist line, then to the Grand Canyon Railroad. In early 2007 it was sold to Fleming Locomotive Works and operated in Oregon on the Mount Hood Railroad. Rio Grande Scenic Railroad acquired the 18 in late 2007, and it will make its Colorado debut in the spring of 2008. Sister LS&I-20 was acquired at the same time, and the shop forces in Alamosa plan to have it in service in 2009.

Diesel Locomotives

SLRG-8577 and its sisters are powerful General Electric B-39-8E locomotives built in the late 1980’s. Capable of speeds up to 70 mph, they have 3,900 horsepower and are equally at home hauling freight or passengers over La Veta Pass. Prior to their current service, they hauled coal trains in Eastern Kentucky.