Sorry Brian, can't help you there. I'm modeling 1980.

Brian -

I don't know for sure which RI locos were in Colorado, but you can reason this way -

Colorado Springs was the end of the line for the Rocky Mountain Rocket. From the RITS site, here is a link to RMR consists:

http://www.simpson.edu/~RITS/equipment/rirmr.html


For the 60's the RMR used E7As (as you said), and also an increasing number of E8As. Note that the last run of the RMR was in 1966, so the RI presence probably really dropped after that date. I don't know how much freight traffic went to C. Springs and for how long after 1966. That would be a good question to get the answer to, as it might result more possible RI locos for you. The F7As ran freight in the 60's (Marre shows one at Denver in 1966 in maroon scheme), as did the U25Bs (Marre photo also in Denver in 1965, maroon scheme as per Stewart model). The E's also ran freight.

Of course, the low powered Geeps (GP7, 9, 18) were all over Iowa, but I don't know if they were used for long distance work. But some may have been in CO for local use.

They would probably have to have switchers, however, and a very possible 60's switcher is the SW8. The RI had at least 30 of these from late 1950 to shutdown, and another 15 SW900 look-alikes (upgraded SWs). So you could use the P2K model. The Athearn SW1500s may be too late for you (delivered in 1966).

Well, I hope that gives you a start.

Good luck with the research - let us know what you find!

Brian,

If you can find it, get Colorful Colorado: Railroading in the 1960's, published by the Colorado RR Museum. I have a copy at home, its an all color picture book and has photo sections for CB&Q, Rio Grande, Rock Island, MoPac, and UP. Lovely photos and lots of great material and shows all those RRs operating in their native environments.

Email me a reminder, and I'll look at it for the info you need.

In general, I believe there were GP9s, F units, GP35s and GP40s from memory. Most of these were painted in variations of the rusty red color. Even if I don't have photo in Colorado Spings (which there may be in my book) there are photos at other locations along the Front Range and probably represents what you'd see at Co Spgs.

Cheerio, Jim

I've actually got this book, its where I saw the photo of the E7 in CS, I was not sure whether some of the other RI locos shown in the book worked into CS.

(Also means more models as well!)

Brian

Nice book isn't it? I guess it had less RI loco photo's than what I recalled. I haven't looked at it in the last month. I mainly bought it for the nice 1960's pictures of the Rio Grande, but the other photos are bonus and enjoyable to look at.

I use the book quite a lot, its a handy reference book.

The trouble with buying books about individual companies (Rio Grande excepted) is knowing just how much relevant content there is in them when you are modeling a very specific area. This is because they are covered in a clear wrapping so you have to take a chance but anything up to $50.00 + it is not a cheap option.

(Thats the one thing I've noticed about US books is that they are far more expensive than similar UK books).

Brian

That is a problem Brian,

I've been able to preview all the books I have purchased. I don't believe in buying a book which I don't know the contents first. About the only book I bought which I quazi regret is Rio Grande in Color Volume 3 - mainly because it doesn't overlap my time period of interest very much. It peters out around 1970. It's a beautifuly book, but photos are on the early side for me.

Never-the-less, having a good, extensive library of books makes the hobby so much more enjoyable!