Celebrate D&RGW Steam Locomotive Nos 346 & 491's Birthdays!

Описание: On July 11, Denver & Rio Grande Western Steam Locomotive No. 346, the oldest operating steam locomotive in Colorado, and Denver & Rio Grande Western Steam Locomotive No. 491, the largest operating narrow gauge locomotive in the Western Hemisphere, will meet head-to-head at the Museum’s Cornelius W. Hauck Roundhouse for re-creation of the famous meeting of the transcontinental railroad at Promontory Point, Utah in 1869.

Only instead of a golden spike separating the two locomotives, there will be a birthday cake and champagne.

For a special birthday present to the legendary ladies, we are inviting you to make “Best Wishes Donations” to the girls.

For our senior citizen, No. 346 who was born in 1881 you can make a symbolic donation of $34.60. for your young whipper-snaper, No. 491 who was born in 1928 you can make a donation of $49.10.

July also marks America’s 239th birthday. We’ll commemorate this history by recreating famous whistle-stop campaign speeches, performed by professional actors on the platform of a vintage passenger coach. Hear the echoes of Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln and others as we recreate their campaign speeches on the railroad at 11:00AM, 12:00PM & 1:00PM.

The idea of celebrating a locomotive’s birthday dates back to the 1960s, when each year the railroad museum would have a cake brought out on the date that D&RGW Steam Locomotive No. 346 was commissioned in 1881. No. 346 is not only the oldest operating locomotive in the state, but possibly also the most beloved steam engine in Colorado, having pulled tens of thousands of passengers around the museum’s half mile circle track over the years.

D&RGW Steam Locomotive No. 491 was built in Denver and is the only locomotive of her class and size still operating, though sister engines still survive as showpieces, at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum. D&RGW No. 491 was acquired by History Colorado in 1970 and given to the Colorado Railroad Museum in 2013, where it has undergone a complete restoration. The engine operated for the first time last year, and is currently going through required federal testing. It should begin service at the museum again in August 2015.

To make a donation visit the Colorado Railroad Museum’s Online Depot General Store below:

Come join the fun, help us to continue maintaining these Grande Dams of the railroad, and catch a ride behind historic D&RGW Steam Locomotive No. 346.

Rides operate every 30 minutes from 10:00AM until 2:00PM.

Admission: Museum Members and Children under 2 are free, Children $5, Adults $10, and Seniors $8.
Ride Tickets: Adults (16+) $4, Children (2-15) $2. Museum members receive $1 discount per ticket.