D&RGW No. 318 is a C-18 class 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type narrow gauge steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, PA in January 1896 for the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad (F&CC), which would later sell it off to the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG), later known as the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). The locomotive first began service in the mining towns along the F&CC until 1917 when the D&RGW purchased the locomotive for $2000.
It was initially numbered 428, but it was later changed to 318 and hauled passenger and freight trains out of Salida, Durango, and Montrose. In 1954, Cornelius W. Hauck acquired the locomotive and put it on public display with his Narrow Gauge Museum in Alamosa, CO. In 1958, the museum moved to its present site in Golden, CO and 318 operated under steam on the museum grounds from 1978 until 1982.
As of today, this beautifully restored D&RGW steam locomotive is at the Colorado Railroad Museum, but the locomotive is now on static display. Also, its surviving sister locomotive, D&RGW 315, was restored to operating condition by the Durango Railroad Historical Society in August 2007 and is now operating special excursion and charter trains at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS) between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO where it is currently on loan until at least 2025.
Trivia[]
- In 2011, the locomotive was cosmetically restored for display, although it is no longer in operational condition.
- The locomotive was named "Goldfield".
