1941 Ex-SP NW2 up for grabs(?) at Royal Gorge Scenic

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Nov 29, 2017 12:32 am

From a Facebook post by another individual named Rich Millard, NOT confirmed yet through the Royal Gorge Railroad:

"To the tourist and museum railroad network -- due to unfortunate and sudden unforeseen logistical challenges beyond our control with our storage tracks in Cañon City [Colorado], we must immediately divest ourselves of this 1939 built ex Southern Pacific NW-2 by the end of the year or it will likely go to scrap. It goes to the first organization that can remove it by December 31st!"

Via the RGRR's own roster: frame number E-395-08, EMD b/n 1360, Jul 1941; Built as SP 1911, Jul-1941; later SP 1317; To Chrome Crankshaft 9-Aug-1973; To Ideal Cement 1, Dec-1973, to Royal Gorge ca. 2000.

1970 photo: http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/sw_ph ... odgers.jpg

1982 photo: http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr1201/iccx1.jpg

More recent photos: http://rrpicturearchives.net/Locopicture.aspx?id=164822

Finderskeepers · **Posted:** Wed Nov 29, 2017 9:17 am

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4240187

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1083

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

From a Facebook post by another individual named Rich Millard, NOT confirmed yet through the Royal Gorge Railroad:

I haven't seen the FB post in question, but it is probably legitimate. My understanding is that Rich Millard, the former Chief Conductor in Durango, is now Assistant GM at the Royal Gorge.

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:24 am

A whole month! Wow why so generous with the lead time?

NS 3322 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 30, 2017 7:58 pm

I saw this locomotive back in 2015. Did not know it was owned by the Royal Gorge (makes sense now). Does anyone know when this unit was last operated? And what is the issue with the storage tracks in Cañon City?

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4231424

Lincoln Penn · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:40 pm **Posts:** 841

Rick Rowlands wrote:

A whole month! Wow why so generous with the lead time?

The words "unexpected" and "urgent" caught my eye.

Might be another eviction from unowned property.

Overmod · **Joined:** Thu May 24, 2012 1:37 pm **Posts:** 2492

I will volunteer to help prep and load if necessary. Is there any nearby site to which the locomotive could be moved in the short term?

Dave · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2017 8:10 am

Pueblo is close by, by the standard of closeness in the area.

car57 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2017 11:18 am

seems it has found a home and may no longer be available, a month was plenty of time wasn't it.

Overmod · **Joined:** Thu May 24, 2012 1:37 pm **Posts:** 2492

Quote:

"It has found a home and is no longer available, a month was plenty of time wasn't it."

Remembering a certain wood passenger car ... I reiterate my offer to help if something in the arrangements starts to go south. And I will remain vigilant until advised the locomotive has been successfully moved where it is to go...

Lincoln Penn · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:40 pm **Posts:** 841

Just heard from a reliable source that the NW2 is no longer endangered; it has been donated to a museum in AZ and will be moved prior to the end of December.

As speculated above, it turns out that the CC&RG was storing this and other pieces on leased trackage, and the lease runs out 12/31/17 and will not be renewed. The property owner has other plans for the real estate, and only notified the railroad about 10 days before now.

Thus the unexpected, unanticipated, urgent part of the OP.

NS 3322 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2017 7:35 pm

Lincoln Penn wrote:

Just heard from a reliable source that the NW2 is no longer endangered; it has been donated to a museum in AZ and will be moved prior to the end of December.

Which museum?

Lincoln Penn · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:40 pm **Posts:** 841

NS 3322 wrote:

Lincoln Penn wrote:

Just heard from a reliable source that the NW2 is no longer endangered; it has been donated to a museum in AZ and will be moved prior to the end of December.

Which museum?

Not specified, but they plan to restore it as the SP unit it once was.

hadder · **Joined:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:21 pm **Posts:** 178

Lincoln Penn wrote:

NS 3322 wrote:

Lincoln Penn wrote:

Just heard from a reliable source that the NW2 is no longer endangered; it has been donated to a museum in AZ and will be moved prior to the end of December.

Which museum?

Not specified, but they plan to restore it as the SP unit it once was.

I want to add that the movement of this item to it's new home began with this original post on RYPN. This forum has again proved to be a valuable asset to the preservation field.

Eric

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Dec 04, 2017 4:25 pm

I don't have it from the "horse's mouth," but I'm 98% certain this loco is now en route to the now-abuilding (in structure and collections) Arizona State Railroad Museum at Williams, Arizona.

This collection already includes an E60C (Black Mesa & Lake Powell), a Shay (Arizona had logging railroads, after all), a Santa Fe chop-nose GP7, and more. The addition of the SP switcher diversifies their collection even more.

I wonder if there's still another Santa Fe diesel to spare at Sacramento?