D&RGW Freight Cars

Our goals are to restore a series of freight cars to the specific time period of the 1930s (before the advent of the Flying Rio Grande logo) and fully capable of performing as they did in service on the D&RGW. Although we have not located pictures of our specific cars true to that time period, we intend to make their probable appearance as historically accurate as we can, given the best information we can find. In the case of the high side and drop bottom gondolas, each car was built, rebuilt, and shopped with notable differences unique to each unit. These differences will be maintained, so each car will retain its uniqueness. The ‘quick’ fixes of the fifties and sixties will not be duplicated as part of their heritage.

It is our policy to use as much of the existing wood and hardware as possible, replacing only parts that are structurally unsound or unsafe to operate. We use the same type of wood and joinery. We restore original metal parts, if possible, or make accurate reproductions. At the same time, we want to make it last for decades under occasional operating conditions by using some modern preservation technology without affecting the historical look.

Each car will have an interpretative sign discussing the history and restoration of the car. The sign will be posted by the car when it is on display.