San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad
The San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad (reporting mark SLRG) is a class III railroad operating in Colorado.
 | |
 Diesel engine SLRG #115 in Alamosa on October 22, 2012 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Alamosa, Colorado |
| Reporting mark | SLRG |
| Locale | Colorado |
| Dates of operation | 2003–Present |
| Predecessor | Denver & Rio Grande Western, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 154 miles (248 kilometres) |
| Other | |
| Website | San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad |
The SLRG began operations in 2003 using 154 miles of former Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks on three lines radiating from Alamosa, Colorado. The SLRG operates a variety of equipment, like the SD90MAC diesel units from EMD.
- Alamosa east to Walsenburg, Colorado (over La Veta Pass) where it intersects with the Union Pacific Railroad
- Alamosa south to Antonito, Colorado where it meets the narrow gauge Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
- Alamosa west to South Fork, Colorado
The railroad meets the San Luis Central Railroad at Sugar Junction in Monte Vista, Colorado.
The railroad was established by RailAmerica following the divestiture of the tracks by the Union Pacific (after acquisition of the D&RGW through merger with the Southern Pacific). Holding company Permian Basin Railways purchased the railroad from RailAmerica in 2005. As of September 2020, the railroad company is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with the railroad itself being operated by bankruptcy trustee William A. Brandt, Jr. of Development Specialists, Inc.[1]
Heritage railroad
A subsidiary heritage railroad, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, operated passenger excursion trains on the line crossing the Sangre de Christo Mountains to the town of La Veta during the summer months from 2006 to 2019. They also offered trips from Alamosa to Antonito where passengers could connect with the narrow gauge Cumbres and Toltec.[2]
Between 2007 and 2013, the fan trips would often be pulled by a steam locomotive. First, there was Ex-Southern Pacific 2-6-0 “Mogul” type No. 1744, but it was taken out of service quickly due to firebox issues. The only other steam locomotive that operated on the SLRG was Ex-Lake Superior and Ishpeming 2-8-0 “consolidation” type No. 18.
These lines were freight only for decades under the previous railroad owners, making it popular with railroad enthusiasts who log rare mileage. The route over Veta Pass offers historic views inaccessible by road, and outdoor events were held at the Fir Concert Grounds near highest point on the railroad.[3]
SLRG discontinued the passenger excursions in 2019 following a wildfire that damaged the Fir Concert Grounds, and then later when the railroad entered bankruptcy and began liquidating unnecessary assets,[4] including their steam locomotives.
SLRG yard in Alamosa on October 23, 2012
References
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200518005770/en/Bankruptcy-Court-Judge-Authorizes-Chapter-11-Trustee
- "Rio Grande Scenic Railroad website". Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- "Historic & Scenic Colorado Trains | Colorado.com". www.colorado.com. 4. Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2018.CS1 maint: location (link)
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200518005770/en/Bankruptcy-Court-Judge-Authorizes-Chapter-11-Trustee
