Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose No. 5 passes the water tank at Cresco, Colorado on Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad’s 4-percent climb of Cumbres Pass on May 25, 1999. This “motor” as RGS originally called them, was the brainchild of the creative shopmen at the RGS’ Ridgway Shops, to provide a less expensive way to operate trains on an expensive-to-operate narrow gauge mountain railroad. RGS No. 5 was built in 1933, originally powered by a Pierce-Arrow “36” 6-cylinder and equipped with a 1928 Pierce-Arrow body. It was later rebuilt to what you see here, using a GMC truck engine and Wayne bus body, with the rear freight compartment now converted to haul tourists. This Galloping Goose calls Dolores, Colorado, home.
While Colorado's narrow gauge steam railroads are the major draw, the state is also home to several diesel-powered tourist railroads that take passengers to the Royal Gorge and other sites.
