D&RGW and RGS Class C-19 Locomotives


NEW! 2nd Release C-19 Locomotives

Blackstone Models is pleased to announce the 2012 Release of our narrow gauge 2-8-0 consolidation. These locomotives will be offered in variations that represent their appearance from the 1920s through the early 1950s. This release will feature another run of the popular 345 consolidation, as well as five new road numbers and two brand new Painted, Unlettereds. Specific information for each road number can be found by viewing the C-19 Folio. The Folio provides a preview of historical information, prototype photos and version-specific details. Start reserving your fleet of classic narrow gauge 2-8-0s today!

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2nd Release C-19 Locomotives
P.N. Road No. Description
B310201-S D&RGW 345 Flying Grande Herald
B310201W-S D&RGW 345 Flying Grande Herald, Weathered
B310209-S D&RGW 342 Royal Gorge Route Herald
B310209W-S D&RGW 342 Royal Gorge Route Herald, Weathered
B310210-S D&RGW 346,
Post-Wreck		Flying Grande Herald
B310210W-S D&RGW 346,
Post-Wreck		Flying Grande Herald, Weathered
B310211-S Class 70 D&RG 401 "401" on Tender
B310211W-S Class 70 D&RG 401 "401" on Tender, Weathered
B310212-S RGS 40 Later Version Rising Sun Herald
B310212W-S RGS 40 Later Version Rising Sun Herald, Weathered
B310213-S RGS 41 "41" on Tender
B310213W-S RGS 41 "41" on Tender, Weathered
B310214-S Diamond Stack 2-8-0 Painted, Unlettered Diamond Stack, Russian Iron Boiler,
Flared Top Tender
B310215-SPainted, Unlettered Black Boiler, Straight Side Tender

 



RGS 41 at Ridgway, Colorado. Sept 1, 1940.
Otto Perry, James L. Ehernberger Coll.

A Little C-19 History

From the late 1870s onward, the 2-8-0 wheel arrangement was no stranger to the narrow gauge Denver and Rio Grande Railway. However, one class of consolidation has the distinction of being the most powerful of all the 2-8-0s that were ordered from Baldwin Locomotive Works.

In the summer of 1881, twelve heavier consolidations arrived on the D&RG amidst a larger number of very similar, yet less powerful 2-8-0s. Numbered from 400 to 411 and designated as Class 70 (for approximately 70,000 pounds of weight), these locomotives found immediate use filling the power needs of the narrow gauge mainline from Salida to Gunnison via Marshall Pass. After faithfully serving the old Gunnison Division for a spell, five of these Class 70 engines were converted to standard gauge for use on wider rails in the 1890’s. These locomotives were converted back to narrow gauge by the turn of the century with a slight juxtaposition of their original road numbers. They continued to serve the railroad in various locations along the thriving narrow gauge. Around 1914, the Class 70 locomotives were fitted with new steel boilers in keeping with new laws enacted by the Interstate Commerce Commission concerning boiler safety. Along with these rebuilds came the appearance of longer, extended smokeboxes, electric headlights, and straight “shotgun” style smokestacks. This is the basic appearance that these venerable consolidations maintained for the rest of their service days. The D&RG re-organized as the Denver and Rio Grande Western in 1921, and in 1924 many locomotives were re-numbered in a motive power reclassification effort of the railroad. At this time, these ten remaining Class 70 engines became numbers 340-349 and were given a new designation of Class C-19.