DRGW Consists

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Hello,

I’ve recently taken an interest in the D&RGW (It started with a purchase of a model of the beautiful F7 by Athearn Genesis).

Now I’ve got some more material and I’m facing the problem of: How do I put engines and cars together into typical consists? Would like to combine them into sets that correspond with a particular train at a certain time.

Where would I be able to find info on typical consists of the California Zephyr, Ski Train and other DRGW passenger trains?

I also wonder if the F7’s were mostly used in the A-B-B-A consists that they were delivered with, or if they were sometimes used in other combinations? What about the PA’s, which were delivered in A-B-A sets?

Which books have good pictures and info about the DRGW passenger trains?

Thank you for any suggestions…

Mattias Thorslund, Clovis, CA

2

The CZ owners purchased seven 11-cars sets of passenger equipment to cover the schedules. Drop me a line at ssw306@yahoo.com and I will send you the roster of the 77 Budd cars used on the CZs.

As for the F7s they often ran as solid four unit sets until the late 1950s when additional horsepower was needed. The Grande got away from solid sets of F units by splicing them with GP9s to create the so called Perlman Mallet. The concept of the Short Fast Train took over Grande freight operations in the mid-60s with the delivery of high horsepower EMD Geeps.

Recommend you join drgw@yahoogroups.com also any of the Rising Sun books on the Grande are great.

Ed Cooper
Crestwood, KY

3

HELLO! If you are interested in any recordings of real Rio Grande trains let me know! My e-mail is gentlegiant582002@yahoo.com