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RIO
Feb 20, 2008 7:07:34 GMT -5
Post by Dan on Feb 20, 2008 7:07:34 GMT -5
DieselsWest recently released their DRGW SD50 and since I grew up around this railroad in Colorado, I guess one could say it's my home town road. Combine it with the infamous Moffat Tunnel route (Rollins Pass - Train-Sim.Com) and well, what I can say . . . Naturally, what I thought I knew wasn't much at all, so did some research and set up a consist based on what I found out. The Rio Grande was a common site along the front range of the Rockies, Denver, and up through the Moffat Tunnel (Rollins Pass) to the western coal mines of Colorado and Utah. "Initially, it ran as a 73-car train, but this was increased to 105 cars in the 1980s, and later expanded to 115 cars." - "Up to 1995 it was common for the train to run east with three or four 6-axle units on the front, two or three in the swing helper, and even a rear helper of a couple more SD's." www.geocites/CSUX. Based on that information, I set up a similar consist with 6/3/2 (SD50s & SD40s) and 105 fully loaded coal cars - hell of a long train . . . Started out from Granby, Colorado and headed east, through the Moffat Tunnel and down through the Big Ten/Crescent descent into Denver. Diesels West did an excellent job with this Rio Grande, with a good cab, and absolutely great great sounds with their Throttle-Up patch. They include a free bonus of two SD40s. I had a couple of questions once I got it, and must say their support is as good as their trains! Had lots of fun, learned a lot (it takes awhile to slow down 105 coal cars . . . Dan Just for interest, here is the 'real' Rio Grande, the real 5515, & the real BigTen/Crescent descent into Denver. Pictures are from various web sources, as noted. …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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RIO
Feb 20, 2008 9:34:31 GMT -5
Post by sgtmajor on Feb 20, 2008 9:34:31 GMT -5
Very nice Dan....... Many Thanks for the information.
I've traveled I-70 many times from California to Kansas where I grew up and remember seeing the trains running through Colorado. I can't honestly say I've seen this specific train..... but I always marveled at what it would be like running a long train through that beautiful state.
Again.... thanks for the great pictures and information!
Cheers!
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hook
FS Addict
Posts: 138
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RIO
Feb 20, 2008 12:24:34 GMT -5
Post by hook on Feb 20, 2008 12:24:34 GMT -5
As you all know...I'm from Phila. I DO NOT KNOW THIS GUY. Philly is a big place, but with his address...I hope thay can stop him! - hook
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RIO
Feb 20, 2008 14:54:57 GMT -5
Post by bhk on Feb 20, 2008 14:54:57 GMT -5
I've always admired the Rio Grande's liveries.....very attractive. Those are great comparison shots, Dan. I have a couple of RG loco types - SD60's, I think. Must set up this train and have a go. Bruce
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RIO
Feb 21, 2008 5:34:34 GMT -5
Post by Dan on Feb 21, 2008 5:34:34 GMT -5
I've traveled I-70 many times from California to Kansas where I grew up and remember seeing the trains running through Colorado. I can't honestly say I've seen this specific train..... but I always marveled at what it would be like running a long train through that beautiful state. Cheers! Sgtmajor, I've driven through Colorado and Kansas many many times as well, and your right, I always enjoyed seeing those long long trains traveling parallel to I-70 - can remember slowing down to keep pace with time. Glad you liked the shots - it was fun, but now you've got me thinking about making up a long UP or Burlington Northern freight train and run a route somewhere through the great plains. I've always admired the Rio Grande's liveries.....very attractive. Those are great comparison shots, Dan. I have a couple of RG loco types - SD60's, I think. Must set up this train and have a go. Bruce Thanks, Bruce! I enjoyed doing the research - seems it's more fun to relate the sim train to the reality of the times and locations one is training through. Adds a lot to it, at least to me. I had tried a number of engine configurations and finally settled on the 6/3/2 to make it up some of those grades - probably could've done it with a 5/2/2, but my engineering skills are not what they used to be . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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