San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad

The San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad (reporting mark SLRG) is a class III railroad operating in Colorado.

San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad
Diesel engine SLRG #115 in Alamosa on October 22, 2012
Overview
HeadquartersAlamosa, Colorado
Reporting markSLRG
LocaleColorado
Dates of operation2003Present
PredecessorDenver & Rio Grande Western, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length154 miles (248 kilometres)
Other
WebsiteSan 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.

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.

References


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