You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia.
This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.

The IP address or range 34.203.0.0/16 has been blocked (disabled) by ‪ST47‬ for the following reason(s):

The IP address that you are currently using has been blocked because it is believed to be a web host provider. To prevent abuse, web hosts may be blocked from editing Wikipedia.
You will not be able to edit Wikipedia using a web host provider because it hides your IP address, much like a proxy or VPN.
We recommend that you attempt to use another connection to edit. For example, if you use a proxy or VPN to connect to the internet, turn it off when editing Wikipedia. If you edit using a mobile connection, try using a Wi-Fi connection, and vice versa. If you are using a corporate internet connection, switch to a different Wi-Fi network. If you have a Wikipedia account, please log in.
If you do not have any other way to edit Wikipedia, you will need to request an IP block exemption.

How to appeal if you are confident that your connection does not use a web host's IP address:
If you are confident that you are not using a web host, you may appeal this block by adding the following text on your talk page: ((unblock|reason=Caught by a web host block but this host or IP is not a web host. My IP address is _______. Place any further information here. ~~~~)). You must fill in the blank with your IP address for this block to be investigated. Your IP address can be determined here. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your IP address private you can use the unblock ticket request system. There are several reasons you might be editing using the IP address of a web host (such as if you are using VPN software or a business network); please use this method of appeal only if you think your IP address is in fact not a web host.

Administrators: The IP block exemption user right should only be applied to allow users to edit using web host in exceptional circumstances, and they should usually be directed to the functionaries team via email. If you intend to give the IPBE user right, a CheckUser needs to take a look at the account. This can be requested most easily at SPI Quick Checkuser Requests. Unblocking an IP or IP range with this template is highly discouraged without at least contacting the blocking administrator.

This block will expire on 00:10, 24 April 2026.

Even when blocked, you will usually still be able to edit your user talk page, as well as email administrators and other editors.

For information on how to proceed, please read the FAQ for blocked users and the guideline on block appeals. The guide to appealing blocks may also be helpful.

Other useful links: Blocking policy · Help:I have been blocked
Your IP address is in a range that has been blocked on all Wikimedia Foundation wikis. The block was made by ‪Jon Kolbert‬. The reason given is Open proxy/Webhost: See the help page if you are affected .
- Start of block: 05:38, 21 February 2024
- Expiry of block: 05:38, 21 February 2029
Your current IP address is 34.203.203.107. The blocked range is 34.203.0.0/16. Please include all above details in any queries you make. If you believe you were blocked by mistake, you can find additional information and instructions in the No open proxies global policy. Otherwise, to discuss the block please post a request for review on Meta-Wiki. You could also send an email to the stewards VRT queue at stewards@wikimedia.org including all above details.

You can view and copy the source of this page:

((Short description|Train line in Colorado and New Mexico))
((More citations needed|date=June 2017))
((Infobox heritage railway
||name      = Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
|other_name= 
|image_name= DSC 0073 071xrp blanca jun15 08 - Flickr - drewj1946.jpg
|caption   = [[Lake Superior and Ishpeming 18|No. 18]], a [[2-8-0]], leads an excursion through [[Blanca, Colorado]] in 2008.
|locale    = 
|terminus  = 
|latitude  = 
|longitude = 
|map       = 
|mapcaption= 
|linename  = [[Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad]]
| builtby = [[Denver and Rio Grande Railway]]
| originalopen = 1878
| closedpassengers = (?)
| closed = (?)
|originalgauge = ((RailGauge|3ft|lk=on))<br>After 1899: ((RailGauge|4ft8.5in|allk=on))
|preservedgauge = ((RailGauge|4ft8.5in))
|era       = 
|owned    = [[San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad]]<br/>[[Iowa Pacific Holdings]]
|operator = Rio Grande Scenic Railroad
|stations = [[Alamosa, Colorado|Alamosa]], [[Fort Garland, Colorado|Fort Garland]], [[La Veta Pass|Fir Summit]], [[La Veta, Colorado|La Veta]] 
|length =
|stageyears = 
|com-years= 1899
|com-events= [[Track gauge conversion|Gauge conversion]] and name change
|com-years1=
|com-events1=
|com-years2=
|com-events2=
|stage = 
|years = 2006
|events = Opened
|years1 = 2019
|events1 = Ceased operations
|website  = ((URL|http://www.coloradotrain.com))((Dead link|date=January 2022))
))
[[File:San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad excursion approaching Blanca, CO.jpg|thumb|RGSRR excursion train approaching [[Blanca, Colorado|Blanca]], led by Ex-[[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]] [[Southern Pacific 1744|1744]], 2007]]
The '''Rio Grande Scenic Railroad''' of [[Colorado]] was a [[heritage railway]] that operated from 2006 to 2019 in and around the [[San Luis Valley]] as a subsidiary of the [[San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad]]. The heritage railroad ceased operating excursions following a [[Spring Creek Fire (2018)|wildfire]] that damaged some of their facilities, as well as the parent company SLRG entering [[Chapter 11]] bankruptcy in late 2019.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200518005770/en/Bankruptcy-Court-Judge-Authorizes-Chapter-11-Trustee|title = Bankruptcy Court Judge Authorizes Chapter 11 Trustee for San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, Inc. To Auction 100% of Membership Interest in Its Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Massachusetts Coastal Railroad, LLC|date = 18 May 2020))</ref>

== History ==
((See Also|San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad#History))
The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was chartered in 1870. The line over [[La Veta Pass]] to [[Alamosa]] and [[Antonito]] was originally envisioned as part of an ambitious and never-realized narrow gauge line linking [[Denver]] with [[Mexico City]]. The narrow gauge tracks crossed the pass in 1877 and reached Alamosa on July 6, 1878. The railroad was pushed on to Antonito by 1880 and ultimately to [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]] and [[Silverton, Colorado|Silverton]]. The D&RG built west from Alamosa, completing the line to [[South Fork, Colorado|South Fork]] and its terminus at [[Creede, Colorado|Creede]] in 1881. The D&RG converted the La Veta Pass and the Creede lines to standard gauge around 1900. The line to Antonito was also converted to standard gauge, but a third rail, laid to three-foot gauge, remained to Alamosa until the end of regular narrow gauge operation in 1968. Coincident with the conversion to standard gauge, the D&RG realigned the route over La Veta Pass to lower the summit, straighten curves, and reduce grades.

In 1908, the D&RG was consolidated with the Rio Grande Western to form the Denver and Rio Grande Western. In 1988, the DRGW merged with the [[Southern Pacific Railroad]]; the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] purchased and merged the SP in 1996. In June 2003, the UP sold the Walsenburg – Alamosa line and its other lines in the San Luis Valley to shortline railroad conglomerate [[RailAmerica]]. RailAmerica sold the SLRG to [[Iowa Pacific Holdings]] in December 2005.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.iowapacific.net/san-luis-a-rio-grande-railroad.html|title=San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad|access-date=17 January 2022))</ref>

Iowa Pacific established the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad in 2006. Trains operated over the [[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]] via [[La Veta Pass|Veta Pass]] and from Alamosa to Antonito, where passengers could connect with the [[Narrow-gauge railway|narrow gauge]] [[Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad|Cumbres and Toltec]].<ref>((cite web|title=Rio Grande Scenic Railroad: Excursion Train, Events, Overview|url=https://www.american-rails.com/rgsr.html|access-date=11 June 2022))</ref><ref>((cite web|title=Rio Grande Scenic Railroad website|url=https://website=www.coloradotrain.com|access-date=7 April 2019|language=en))((Dead link|date=January 2022))</ref>

Between 2007 and 2013, the fan trips would often be pulled by a [[steam locomotive]]. First, there was Ex-[[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]] [[2-6-0]] “Mogul” type [[Southern Pacific 1744|No. 1744]], but it was taken out of service quickly due to [[Firebox (steam engine)|firebox]] issues. The only other steam locomotive that operated on the SLRG was Ex-[[Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad|Lake Superior and Ishpeming]] [[2-8-0]] “consolidation” type [[Lake Superior and Ishpeming 18|No. 18]].

The Fir Concert Series featured many well-known musical acts. Popular western music singer/songwriter Syd Masters and Michael Murphy appeared on the stage more than any other performers. Great players such as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ricky Skaggs, Asleep at the Wheel and Riders in the Sky also made the journey up the mountain to play live music. The San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad discontinued the passenger excursions in 2019 following a [[Spring Creek Fire (2018)|wildfire]] that damaged the Fir Concert Grounds, and then later when the railroad entered bankruptcy and began liquidating unnecessary assets.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200518005770/en/Bankruptcy-Court-Judge-Authorizes-Chapter-11-Trustee|title = Bankruptcy Court Judge Authorizes Chapter 11 Trustee for San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad, Inc. To Auction 100% of Membership Interest in Its Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Massachusetts Coastal Railroad, LLC|date = 18 May 2020))</ref> This liquidation involved the sale of locomotives and rolling stock to the [[Colebrookdale Railroad]] and the [[Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad]] in [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>((cite web|last=|first=|title=Colebrookdale Railroad acquires a second steam locomotive|url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/colebrookdale-railroad-acquires-a-second-steam-locomotive/|work=[[Trains (magazine)|Trains]]|publisher=[[Kalmbach Media]]|date=March 29, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329193906/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/colebrookdale-railroad-acquires-a-second-steam-locomotive/|archive-date=March 29, 2021))</ref><ref>((cite web|last=Cupper|first=Dan|title=Reading & Northern acquires 11 ex-San Luis & Rio Grande cars|url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/reading-northern-acquires-11-ex-san-luis-rio-grande-cars/|work=Trains|publisher=Kalmbach Media|date=July 23, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723182335/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/reading-northern-acquires-11-ex-san-luis-rio-grande-cars/|archive-date=July 23, 2021))</ref>

==Locomotives==

The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad collection included both vintage [[steam locomotives]] and [[diesel locomotives]]. Notably, they operated former [[Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad]] locomotive [[Lake Superior and Ishpeming 18|#18]], built by the [[American Locomotive Company]] at its [[Pittsburgh Locomotive and Car Works|Pittsburgh works]] in 1910.  This locomotive previously operated on the [[Grand Canyon Railway]] and the [[Mount Hood Railroad]], and following the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad's dissolution, it is now owned by the [[Colebrookdale Railroad]] in [[Pennsylvania]]. They also owned former [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]] locomotive [[Southern Pacific 1744|#1744]], which was sold to the [[Pacific Locomotive Association]] and moved to the [[Niles Canyon Railway]].<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.ncry.org/about/collection/steam/sp1744/|title=Southern Pacific #1744))</ref>

==Rolling stock==
The Rio Grande Scenic operated a collection of historic passenger cars in their excursion service, including:

* Five remodeled [[dome car]]s for railroad sightseeing, with a glass roof on top of the car where passengers can ride and see in all directions around the train;
* 1920s-era Pullman built modernised Heavyweight archroof “open-window” cars with bench-style seating for passengers and the option of opening windows. These cars were built for the Southern Railway between 1924 and 1926 and came to the Rio Grande Scenic from Mount Hood;
* 1920s-era Pullman built Heavyweight Open Air Observation No 1056 “Lookout Mountain”. This open air observation car was built for the Southern Railway as coach 1595 and later rebuilt into an open air observation (eventually 2 other open air coaches (without rear platforms) followed No 1069 “Missionary Ridge” and 1070 “W. Graham Claytor”) and was heavily used  on the Southern Railway Steam Specials between 1966 and 1987, finally coming to the Rio Grande Scenic from Mount Hood.;
* 1950s-era restored [[Pullman (car or coach)|Pullman Coaches]] with large sealed windows, [[Head end power|heating, air conditioning]], and concessions;
* Lounge Car ‘Mardi Gras’ restored first-class lounge car with floor-to-ceiling observation windows in a rounded end observation lounge. This car was rebuilt from a coach by the Illinois Central for use on the ‘City of New Orleans’. Legend has it this was the car that the song of the same name was written in. After a stint in service behind N&W 611 the car returned to Illinois Central livery around 2010.;
* Lounge Car ‘Calumet Club’ restored first-class lounge car with flat (or “blind end”) observation windows in a flat end observation lounge. 
* Dining Car 448 Former New York Central stainless steel fluted side lightweight dining car, restored and used in food service.<ref>((cite web|title=Rio Grande Scenic Railroad website|url=https://www.coloradotrain.com/about/|access-date=7 April 2019|language=en|archive-date=6 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106111940/https://www.coloradotrain.com/about/|url-status=dead))</ref>

==Special events==
The Rio Grande Scenic operated a variety of special events, including Mother's Day Brunch in the dome cars, Rails & Ales Brewfest, Jazz on the Tracks mountain concerts, Oktoberfest, fall foliage and pumpkin patch rides; and the Train to Christmas Town.<ref>((cite web|title=Rio Grande Scenic Railroad ((!)) Colorado.com|url=http://www.colorado.com/trains/rio-grande-scenic-railroad|website=www.colorado.com|access-date=3 October 2017|ref=ColoradoCVB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003191939/http://www.colorado.com/trains/rio-grande-scenic-railroad|archive-date=3 October 2017|language=en|date=3 October 2017))</ref>

==See also==
((Portal|Trains|Colorado))

*[[List of Colorado railroads#Historic attraction carriers|List of Colorado historic railroads]]
*[[List of heritage railroads in the United States#Colorado|List of heritage railroads in Colorado]]

==References==
((reflist))

== External links ==
((commons category))
*[http://www.coloradotrain.com Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Home Page]

((Colorado))

((Coord|37.46671|-105.86501|format=dms|display=title|type:landmark_region:US-CO))

((DEFAULTSORT:Rio Grande Scenic  Railroad))
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Alamosa County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Heritage railroads in Colorado]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Huerfano County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Rio Grande County, Colorado]]
[[Category:San Luis Valley of Colorado]]
[[Category:Transportation in Alamosa County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Transportation in Huerfano County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Transportation in Rio Grande County, Colorado]]

Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page (help):

Rio Grande Scenic Railroad (edit)
Template:Ambox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Br separated entries (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite web (view source) (protected)
Template:Colorado (view source) (semi-protected)
Template:Commons category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Coord (view source) (protected)
Template:Dead link (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Fix (view source) (protected)
Template:Fix/category (view source) (protected)
Template:Fraction/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Hlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:If then show (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Infobox heritage railway (view source) (semi-protected)
Template:Main other (view source) (protected)
Template:More citations needed (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Template:Plainlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Portal (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Portal-inline (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:RailGauge (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Reflist (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Template:See Also (edit)
Template:See also (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Short description (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description/lowercasecheck (view source) (protected)
Template:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Sister project (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Template other (view source) (protected)
Template:Track gauge (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:URL (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:US state navigation box (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Arguments (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/blacklist (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/shared (view source) (protected)
Module:Check for unknown parameters (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1 (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Coordinates (view source) (protected)
Module:Coordinates/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Disambiguation/templates (view source) (protected)
Module:Find sources (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/config (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/links (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/templates/Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Format link (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote list (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Infobox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:InfoboxImage (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Labelled list hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Math (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/ambox.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/disambiguation (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/setindex (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect (view source) (protected)
Module:Portal (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal-inline (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal/images/c (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal/images/t (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Portal/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Module:Separated entries (view source) (protected)
Module:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Side box/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:TableTools (view source) (protected)
Module:Track gauge (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Track gauge/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:URL (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:WikidataIB (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/nolinks (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/titleformats (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)

Return to Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Grande_Scenic_Railroad"