Newsgroups: rec.railroad

/ hpcndaw:rec.railroad / larsenp@mace.cc.purdue.edu (Paul Larsen) /  5:53 pm  Aug 31, 1992 /
>I have a few questions about the Great Western Railroad (the part in 
>Colorado).  

>1. How long has this been in existence?  Obviously it is an offshoot of the
>BN but did it acquire its lines through the disposition of BN lines after
>the BN merger in the early '70's?

1901.  It is not an offshoot of anybody. The Colorado lines where built
and always owned by the GWR.  While it operated as a subsidiary of the sugar
company, it was sold  in the 70's to a "short line" company, who defaulted on 
their loan.  The sugar company took it back, then sold it to the Broe company
in the early 80's.  The Broe company recently bought another shortline outfit
in the Chicago area.
 
>2. Is their paint scheme similar to BN's for any particular reason (i.e. is
>it partially controlled by BN)?

I never heard the "story", but I wouldn't doubt that it because it was 
convienent.  Note that #296 has upside down v-stripes instead of the BN-type
stripes .  I was told they wanted to try something different.


>3. Why is there a rabbit on the short hood?  Is this something like the state
>bird of Colorado? :)             

The President of the GWR in the mid-80's, J. "Pete" Ascher, used the jack
rabbit as his way of promoting his "Fast Freight Line".  The newer management
since then has downplayed this and returned to the "traditional GW diamond".
We don't have birds in eastern colorado.

>4. What happened to all of the sugar beet cars they used to have and why did
>the sugar beet business crash so bad?

The sugar company was bought by the infamous Hunt brothers in the early 80's.
The cars were sold off since 1985 to various.    

>5. Finally, how did they get a hold of the rights to serve the Coors brewery
>in Golden?  I can't imagine that BN would give up the rights to a company
>that ships about 90% of its product by rail!

They don't. They have leased #1777 (an ex-BN GP-9) to Coors on a short term
lease while Coors rebuilds one of their switchers.  (#714 was leased to them 
a couple years ago). 

>6. Oh, yeah.  One last question.  Anyone know the motive power roster of the 
>GW?

This could be rough for a number of reasons; they have a number of engines on
lease, they are in the locomotive rebuilding and selling business, and they 
operate lines in CA, Oregon, and Iowa.  Its been a couple weeks since I talked
to their General Manager, so this may already be out of date. 

		ex	location	notes

#55?	GE70	?	Loveland
#211	GP-9	UP	Loveland	named "Robin"
#296	GP-9	UP	Longmont
#319	GP-9	Milw	Loveland	(may be sold soon)
#703	GP-7	WP	On Arizona Central  (may have been sold)
#705	GP-7	WP	Windsor		(lettered Arizona Central)
#710	GP-7	WP	Loveland	being caniblized
#711	GP-9    ATSF	Loveland	stored
#712	GP-9	ATSF	Mexico ?
#714	GP-7 	ATSF	Council Bluffs	
#715	GP-7?	BN	Loveland	(original number unknown)
986	NW-5	BN	Loveland	unservicable	
1617	GP-7	BN	Lakeview OR
16??	GP-7	BN	Lakeview OR
1777	GP-9	BN	Golden		leased to Coors
????    S-4	SP	Loveland	unservicable
????	???	??	Council Bluffs

Also on the property are 3 ATSF GP-7s being rebuilt, (another already sold to
Ventura County) and a C&W SW-?.                      

>Thanks,
>Paul Larsen
>larsenp@mace.cc.purdue.edu
----------