RGS No. 40

No offering of the fabled C-Class locomotives would be complete without a noteworthy representative for the Rio Grande Southern Railroad! The RGS purchased many consolidations from the D&RG during its formative years and the vast majority of these were from the class 56 and Class 60 stables. While virtually all of the C-19 locomotives saw frequent service over the Southern, RGS 40 is one of only two of the 1881 Class 70 fleet that officially ended up on the RGS roster. The "Quartz Creek" arrived as road number 411 on one summer day in 1881. After seven years of service on the Gunnison Extension, the 411 was rebuilt into Class 74 standard gauge engine No. 802. Following 10 years of dutiful service on the broad gauge, the 802 returned to the narrow rails in 1898 rebuilt as class 74 D&RG No.402. The Rio Grande Southern purchased the 402 in the fall of 1916 (along with two other C-class engines) at which time it was renumbered 40. Through the years, the RGS 40 carried its own unique look with a mismatch of dome styles and a box headlight. Its appearance was largely unchanged until fate finally caught up with her in August of 1943. On this day, No. 40 was working up Cima Summit (outside of Hesperus, Colorado) while coupled with RGS ten wheeler No.20. The 40 derailed a driver on a curve and turned on her left side while taking helper No.20 over the ballast with her. Consequently, both engines suffered considerable damage. While No.20 was repaired and eventually returned to the RGS rails, number 40 was deemed unworthy of repair and thus took her turn to the scrapper’s torch.


RGS 40 in Durango
Photographer Unknown

We proudly offer the RGS 40 as photographed on the Rio Grande Southern between Durango and Ridgway Colorado throughout the late 1930s and early 1940s. This treasured little consolidation comes complete with the right side main reservoir air tank, single air compressor, box headlight, and of course those mis-matched domes!

Blackstone Models RGS 40
P.N. B310205, no sound, DC operation only
P.N. B310205-S, with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC
P.N. B310205W, weathered, no sound, DC operation only
P.N. B310205W-S, weathered, with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC

Features:

  • Fluted sand dome and round style steam dome
  • Unique box style headlight
  • Steel sheathed cab sides
  • One 11- inch single stage compressor
  • Road style pilot
  • Prototypical running board arrangement
  • Number “40” on side of tender style livery