Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad

The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (DRG or D&RG) generally referred to as the Rio Grande, became the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (DRGW or D&RGW) in 1920. The D&RGW served mainly as transcontinental bridge line between Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah and a major origin of coal and mineral traffic with a motto of Through the mountains, not around them. The Rio Grande was the epitome of mountain railroading, operating the highest mainline rail line in the United States over 10,240 ft (3121m) Tennessee Pass and the famed routes through the Moffat Tunnel and the Royal Gorge. At its height around 1890, the D&RG had the largest operating narrow gauge railroad network in North America. Known for its independence, the D&RGW operated the last private long haul passenger train in the United States, the Rio Grande Zephyr.

Related Topics:
1920 - Denver, Colorado - Salt Lake City, Utah - Coal - United States - Tennessee Pass - Moffat Tunnel - Royal Gorge - 1890 - Narrow gauge - North America - Passenger train - Rio Grande Zephyr

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