First time D&RGW Engine 315 runs under steam after 58 years

The 1895 Denver and Rio Grand Western Locomotive has been restored in Durango, CO. On the evening of Aug 24th it ran under steam for the first time since October 17, 1949.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Steam
• Engine
• D&RGW
• 315
• Durango
• Baldwin
• D&RG
• 2-8-0
• C-18

[theORIGdfwappraiser]

When I was a kid I used to crawl all over No. 315 when it was on static display in a park on north Main in Durango. I am absolutely delighted to see it restored and running, looking even better than I remember it. I only wish it was still unfenced, so today's kids could play on it like I used to.

Pity. Today's kids have no real hands-on connection with history, like I did. Watching this little engine belch steam again brought tears to my eyes.

It is my childhood all over again.

[Ronaldo7PortugalFan7]

it was not in the movie, that was 319 :-)

[riogrande45]

i work on 315 during railfest in durango

[foroke1]

@Chris9017 Wow.... For a movie....

[Chris9017]

@foroke1 Yes, the movie in Denver & Rio Grande. It was on the Silverton Branch too. There was one scene where 2 engines had to do a head on collision for a movie scene, and those engines were 318 and 319. The impact was bad on both engines, but 318 was salvageable, and was bought by the Colorado Railroad Museum shortly after. However, 319 was damaged and destroyed beyond repair, even that of a cosmetic restoration. So they took most of her parts and scrapped her.

[foroke1]

@Chris9017 But there was a steam engine destroyed?? for A MOVIE?!

[Chris9017]

@foroke1 Someone asked if 315 was destroyed in a head on crash in a movie, and I stated that 315 is not the engine that was destroyed in a movie.

[foroke1]

@Chris9017 Wait, wtf are you talking about?

[rayunseitig]

It's just a wonderful wonderful thing you all have done.

[SychoBilly73]

Awesome! Beautiful consolidation!

[Chris9017]

It was both 318 and 319. The impact was so bad that it destroyed the 319 completely, and badly damaged the 318. The 318 is still with us, and should be back in a couple years while it uses the parts from the 319.