Denver & Rio Grande Western Nos. 5771 & 5762 (S) - Golden, CO - Locomotives on Waymarking.com

Denver & Rio Grande Western Nos. 5771 & 5762 (S)

The last operational F-unit on the Rio Grande, F9 No. 5771 powered the Rio Grande Zephyr passenger train between Denver and Salt Lake City from 1971 to 1983. The Rio Grande Zephyr was the last non-Amtrak intercity passenger train in the United States. In 1984 Nos. 5771 & 5762 powered the Ski Train from Denver to Winter Park and back each weekend. Both were retired that year and donated to the Museum in 1996. (from (visit link) )

In 1971 most railroads across the United States joined Amtrak, a publicly subsidized passenger rail network. However, due to financial reasons, the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad could not come to terms with Amtrak. The Rio Grande continued to operate their portion of the California Zephyr—a route from Chicago, IL to Oakland, CA jointly operated with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and Western Pacific railroads—until April 14, 1983 as the Rio Grande Zephyr. For thirteen years the Rio Grande Zephyr made tri-weekly trips between Denver and Salt Lake City making it the last intercity passenger train in the US other than Amtrak.

The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO owns the last operational F-units from the Rio Grande (D&RGW Nos. 5771&5762, F9 A&B diesel locomotives). These locomotives hauled the Rio Grande Zephyr from 1970 to 1983 and, after that, the Ski Train between Denver and Winter Park. They were retired in 1984 and sold to the museum in 1996 for $1 each. However, the cost to place the heavy equipment on the museum grounds totaled $10,000 a piece. (from (visit link) and (visit link) )

The Colorado Railroad Museum is a railroad lovers dream! Visit (http://coloradorailroadmuseum.org/) for admission and hours. Fees as of 2014 are $5 child, $10 adult, $20 family.

Locomotive Type: (required): Diesel Electric Do you need to pay an entrance fee to view this locomotive? (required): Yes If a fee is required what is the approximate cost for admittance? (optional): Fees as of 2014 are $5 child, $10 adult, $20 family. How accessible is this locomotive display? (Required): Only touching is allowed. If "other" what is the engine type? (optional): Not listed

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Date Logged Log   07/30/2014 tamiuron visited it 05/03/2014 Greasepot visited it

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