Rio Grande Southern Railroads records

M019 - Rio Grande Southern Railroads records

Collection Overview

Creator: Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company
Dates: circa. 1884-1997, inclusive; 1890-1983, bulk
Extent: Approximately 60 linear shelf feet (approximately 140 volumes and approximately 5,000 unbound items, in 80 document cases and flat lidded boxes)
Abstract:
This collection documents the operations and legacy of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, a narrow-gauge line built by Otto Mears that served Colorado’s western San Juan Mountains from 1890 to 1951. It includes correspondence, financial and personnel records, legal documents, blueprints, and ephemera. The collection provides rich insight into regional transportation, industry, and community life in southwestern Colorado.
Language: English
Collection Identifier: M019
Physical Location: This collection is located at the Center of Southwest Studies on the campus of Fort Lewis College (1000 Rim Dr. Durango, CO).

Using these Materials

Please contact the Center of Southwest Studies Archives Manager at archives@fortlewis.edu for more information about reproductions and accessing the collection.

Access Restrictions: There are no access restrictions on the use of this collection. The collection is non-circulating but open to the public for use in the Delaney Southwest Research Library at the Center of Southwest Studies.

Reproduction and Copyright: Materials held by the Center may be protected under U.S. and international copyright laws. Reproduction does not constitute a transfer of copyright or publication rights. Researchers are solely responsible for complying with copyright law and for obtaining any necessary permissions for reproduction or publication. The Center assumes no liability for unauthorized use of materials.

Related Materials

Papers of A. F. Lyons: Papers of Alva F. Lyons, who was at least partly responsible for the original preservation and arrangement of the records in this collection. The papers consist of 12.5 document cases of historical records, 1882–2005 (bulk years 1940–1969), compiled by San Juan Basin narrow gauge railroad conductor Alva F. Lyons. Included are records and printed materials of the Order of Railroad Conductors.

Rio Grande Southern Railroad Photographs: Photographs of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad can be found in Collection P026, described at the end of the series list (CSWS Collection P026).

Sounds of Narrow-Gauge Railroads

Circa January 1959 (CSWS recording no. 462). Reel side A (on both sides of audiocassette tape 1): engine music. Reel side B (on both sides of audiocassette tape 2): engine music, Durango to Farmington, caboose, Farmington to Durango (485 and 489), and Chama to Durango. Undated, but likely from early 1959. A note on the master reel box indicates the recording was poorly done and may require editing. The reel was assembled with the railroad collection and maintained by Alva Lyons. Copied in May 1996 from one 7" reel tape onto two 90-minute audiocassette tapes.
July 27, 1958 – March 14, 1959 (CSWS recording no. 461). Reel side A (copied onto audiotape 1, sides A and B): Rio Grande, 0 to 42, narrated by Bruce Aker (spelling uncertain). Reel side B (copied onto both sides of audiocassette tape 2): narrow gauge to Silverton. According to a note on the master reel box, Bruce Aker sent this tape to Alva Lyons on March 14, 1959; John Braggs made the recordings between Alamosa and Chama; Jim Stevens recorded the sounds from Romeo to Antonito using Engines 480 and 490. Copied onto two 90-minute audiocassette tapes in May 1996 from one 7" magnetic tape reel. Digitized in 2006 through the Center’s grant with the Collaborative Digitization Project.
April 28–30, 1966 (CSWS recording no. 460). Additional railroad sounds, apparently recorded by Alva Lyons. Copied from one 7" 1.5 mil acetate reel onto two 90-minute audiocassettes in May 1996.
August 14, 1966 (CSWS recording no. 459). Reel side A features the voice of Bill Fletcher, President of the Railroad Club, recorded on the Durango and Rio Grande Western narrow gauge railroad between Durango and Hermosa. Reel side B includes sounds of the Leadville to Climax climb: 0 to 74, recorded by Elolte Larsen; Engine #641 (2-8-0, 10-car drag, standard gauge); Engine #478, 95 to 150; Engines #476 and 483, 150 to 210; thunderstorm, 223 to 320; and from 321 to the end, organ music. The reel also includes a brief excerpt—possibly from April 17, 1967—of the Ignacio peace treaty ceremony with the voice of Gayle Maloy or Louis L'Amour. Copied in May 1996 from one 5" 1.5 mil acetate reel tape onto one 90-minute audiocassette.

Transcribed Interviews in the Southwest Oral History Collection

Interview of Alfred G. Chione, M.D., by Todd Ellison, November 21, 1996 (CSWS interview no. 487). Dr. Chione, who donated many of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad records and photographs now at the Center, reflected on railroad culture, noting: "You know, with railroaders, you never listen to one of them when they were by themselves because they fib. They tell stories that are fibs, but when you get them all together, they kind of watch what they say."
Interview of Alva Lyons by Robert W. Delaney, June 25, 1982 (CSWS interview no. 463). Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on April 3, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Release signed by Dr. Delaney and the Center in January 1998, and by Alva Lyons' daughter, Martha McDaniel, on October 24, 2005.
Interview of Alva Lyons by Robert W. Delaney, June 29, 1982 (CSWS interview no. 464). Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on March 26, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Release signed as above.
Interview of Alva Lyons by Robert W. Delaney, July 1, 1982 (CSWS interview no. 465). Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on March 29, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Release signed as above.
Interview of Alva Lyons by Robert W. Delaney, July 7, 1982 (CSWS interview no. 466). Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on April 2, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Release signed as above.
Interview of Alva Lyons by Robert W. Delaney, July 12, 1982 (CSWS interview no. 467). Topics include Masonic origins, Lyons’ enjoyment of working as a trainman, and his advice for the Durango and Silverton Railroad. Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on April 3, 1996; edited by Todd Ellison on April 3, 1996. Release signed as above.
Series of interviews of Alva Lyons by Rae Haynes, September 20 through November 24, 1989 (CSWS interview nos. 159–163). Topics include the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Transcribed by Catherine Conrad on November 12, 1990; edited by Todd Ellison on April 4, 1996. Releases signed by Martha McDaniel (October 24, 2005) and Rae Haynes (March 14, 2006). Archival intern Renée Morgan updated the transcripts in January and February 2008 using annotations by Martha McDaniel made in 1991.

Books about the Rio Grande Southern Railroad

A Financial Analysis of the Operations of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad During World War I by Vernon E. Lynch, Jr. (Fort Lewis College, ca. 1983). Presented at the annual meeting of the Economic and Business Historical Society, 1983. [12 leaves: tables; 28 cm]. Call number: Oversize HE2791.R6415 L9 1983 in the Delaney Southwest Research Library.
Approximately 25 linear shelf feet of published books are available on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad—possibly making it the most thoroughly documented railroad in the world.
Silver San Juan: The Rio Grande Southern Railroad by Mallory Hope Ferrell (Boulder, Colo.: Pruett Publishing Co., 1973). Library of Congress call number: HE2791.R635 F47.
The Rio Grande Southern Story by Josie Crum (Durango, Colo.: Railroadiana, 1957).

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], [Collection Title], [Collection Number], Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.

Collection Description

Historical/Biographical Note: "A narrow-gauge line built by Otto Mears and investors in Denver, the Rio Grande Southern Railroad served the western area of the San Juans, with its circuitous route passing through Telluride, Ophir, Lizard Head Pass, Rico, Dolores, and Hesperus. This route was necessitated by the rugged terrain of the mountains and Uncompahgre Gorge, and it advantageously served important mining areas, lumber operations, and a coal mine. Its operation was dependent on connections with the D&RG on the north at Ridgway and on the south at Durango. It reached Rico in 1891, thereby eliminating most traffic on the former Rockwood and Rico Wagon Road, and it reached Durango from the west in 1893. The line was abandoned in 1951. Its trains carried freight and passengers, usually with a mixed train. Between 1931 and abandonment, the line’s seven Galloping Geese provided passenger and mail service with cars built with automobile engines and rail wheels. Treasured by nostalgic rail fans today, they were important to the way of life of local people and businesses along the line during the Depression and World War II. Galloping Goose No. 5, restored and operational, is kept at Dolores, while five others still exist elsewhere. Several short lines connected lumber camps and mines to the Rio Grande Southern. A spur of the RGS operated at Parrott (Mayday) from 1906 to 1926. The spur began west of Hesperus." (Source: Living In The San Juan Mountains: Prospectus on Traditional Cultural Properties on The San Juan National Forest And Adjacent Public Lands:San Juan Traditional Cultural Properties Team Scoping Document/ Working Paper, edited by Dr. Andrew Gulliford, March 2003).

Scope & Contents: This collection contains the historically significant records retained from the operations of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad (RGS) and related railroad companies. The RGS narrow gauge railroad ran from Durango to Hesperus, Mancos, Dolores, Rico, Telluride, and Ridgway where it joined with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. It operated from 1890 to 1950 -- one of the narrow-gauge lines assembled by Otto Mears. In its later years the Rio Grande Southern developed the "Galloping Goose" to serve its region using a single motorized car on the narrow-gauge rails. The collection includes bound letters, claims and reports (1890-1914), photographs (in Collection P 026, half of which is visually accessibly on the Web), treasurer's records, coupons, and other records.

This large collection contains documents of various types, predominantly bound into leather volumes (that binding was done before the Center acquired these, but after the documents ceased being in active use by the company). Some of the records are in good condition, but most are suffering from decay due to use of--or attachment to--acidic paper. Many of the contents of the volumes are originals (or original letterpress copies) pasted onto construction paper. The letterpress copies were produced on very thin paper, which one must turn carefully to avoid folding or tearing the sheets. The leather bindings on some of the books are also rotting. Thus, the collection must be handled with special care.

The collection content is wide ranging, including letters from railway pioneer/company president Otto Mears, inventories of equipment, lists of salaries, blueprints of track roadways, and scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and memorabilia about some of the old private cars. The collection is divided into seven main subgroups. The first subgroup is of railroad printed materials; its series of materials include such items as tickets, freight rates and regulations, and official railroad system schedules. The second subgroup consists of administrative records and correspondence of Otto Mears and other railroad officials. The third subgroup contains financial records of the railroad and is the largest grouping of the Rio Grande Southern archives. The fourth subgroup within this collection is the personnel records. The fifth consists of records from the railroad's daily operations. This includes a scrapbook that was found with this collection, but which actually pertains to the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad rather than the Rio Grande Southern: the VIP historic passenger car, the Nomad. The Nomad car was not part of the RGS, but this specially restored car now makes its home in Durango as part of the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

The bound volumes were arranged and described ("processed") as part of a student project by Tom Barber in December 1993. Anything noted as being in a green box still must be processed. Please consult with the archivist for access to those parts of the collection.

Arrangment: Subgroups (SGs) of the Rio Grande Southern archives, shown in boldface, are numbered consecutively. The lower levels of organization, following the SG number, are the series (e.g., data sheets, payrolls, correspondence, and reports from a given office). Box numbers start with 1 in each in each subgroup.

Materials within most subgroups are organized from highest hierarchical level to lowest, or from most general to most specific, and/or from oldest to most recent. For the most part, items within each series and within each box and folder are arranged chronologically, unless noted otherwise.

Acquisition Information: The Center of Southwest Studies acquired this collection through a series of gifts from Dr. Alfred G. Chione of Morton, Illinois (accessions 1968:02009, 1994:05003, and 1999:01009A). Dr. Chione, a lifelong railroad enthusiast who worked on the railroads during his youth and throughout his medical training, rescued these materials in 1952 from the general offices of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad in Ridgway, Colorado. As the company was preparing to discard its records, Dr. Chione was granted access to two boxcars filled with documents and spent three days selecting and transporting a representative sample back to Illinois, where he organized and preserved them.

His donation was among the earliest archival acquisitions of the Center's special collections and museum. The materials were formally transferred to the Center in 1967–1968 following correspondence with founding director Dr. Robert Delaney. Dr. Chione and his family expressed deep commitment to ensuring the records remained in Durango, the southern terminus of the railroad. Supporting documentation includes a deed of gift and an oral history interview with Dr. Chione (Southwest oral history collection, interview no. 487).

Processing Information: Center of Southwest Studies student archival assistant Tom Barber assisted with initial processing of this collection in December of 1993, under the supervision of Archivist Todd Ellison, including preliminary assignment of series titles and series numbers. The Center's archival volunteers Paula Wiseman and Dr. Bud Davis devoted most of their hundreds of work hours to this project in 2007 and completed the arrangement of the collection. (As a result of changes in the series organization, some of the series numbers we originally assigned are no longer used.) Professional Native American Archival Assistant Renee Morgan typed up the folder list and produced the box labels in the winter of early 2008. This inventory was prepared by Fort Lewis College archivist Todd Ellison (last revised in February of 2008).

Subjects:

Railroads--Colorado--Records and correspondence
Railroads, Narrow-gauge

Detailed Description of the Collection

Container Description

Subgroup 1: Railroad printed materials

1.1 Rio Grande Southern legal documents, 1890-1920, 2 folders, in box 1. Includes two items: (1) the executed copy of a federal agreement that was a printed contract (18 pages) between the Director General of Railroads and the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, 1920 Feb. 28 (1 volume) and (2) agreement to establish the railroad terminal that became Ridgway, Colorado.
1.2 Railroad rules and regulations, 1906-1937. 3 folders, in box 1.
1.3 Railroad bulletins, 1902-1951. 7 folders, in box 1.
1.4 Railroad timetables, 1939-1950. 5 folders, in box 2.
1.5 Rio Grande Railroad system fare rates, freight rates, and schedules, 1884-. 1 folder, in box 2.
1.6 Rio Grande Southern passenger tickets and ticket stubs, 1894-1950. 16 folders, in box 3.
1.7 Other railroads’ tickets, circa 1922-1935. 9 folders, in box 4.
1.8 Rio Grande Southern blank forms and reports, 1890-1959. 31 folders, in boxes 4 and 5.
1.9 Rio Grande Southern and other railroads’ newspaper clippings, newsletters, advertisements, and pamphlets, circa 1901-1982. 14 folders, in boxes 5 and 6.
1.10 Books, about railroad operations, 1897-1961, 2 folders, in box 7. Note: this series also includes the following, not shelved with this collection:
· Modern American Railway Practice: A complete system of practical instruction in railway transportation, by the National Institute of Practical Mechanics, 1913, 10 volumes. (Call number TF7.S9 -- these are shelved with the regular books in the Robert Delaney Southwest Research Library.)

Subgroup 2: Administrative records and correspondence

2.1 Construction company correspondence, 1890-1893. 3 folders, in box 8. Includes some barely legible telegrams relating to railroad construction, including bridges and buildings.
2.2 Otto Mears records and printed materials, 1891-1962. 6 folders, in box 9. Includes 1 volume of his receipts, 1891-1892, and 1 volume about his passes, 1892-1893. Otto Mears was the president of the railroad company. The volume contains 38 pages of vouchers, correspondence, etc. related primarily to the silver filigree passes, but other types of passes such as The Leather Pass are also mentioned. Items specifically related to the silver filigree pass include vouchers from The Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company to S. Spitz, manufacturer of Mexican Filigree Jewelry for the purchase of passes. For example, the first page is Voucher #139 dated July12, 1892 for 32 silver filigree passes @$4.00 for a total of $128.00. This voucher also includes a credit for one pass for M. Frost bringing the total to $124.00. On another page there is a bill for Voucher #531 dated September 30, 1892 for 11 silver filigree passes @ $4.00 for a total of $44.00. Other pages include letters of correspondence between the two companies regarding credits for gold not used, vouchers for purchases of other types of passes, vouchers for engraving passes, and small narrative descriptions added to each page. An example of the narrative is a voucher from December 28, 1892 for five silver filigree passes. The narrative mentions the purchase of the passes in December, the date the passes were paid for, and that this raises the number of silver filigree passes to 539.
2.3 General Office correspondence, 1892-1915. 18 bound volumes, in 18 folders in boxes 9-13.
2.4 General and miscellaneous correspondence, 1891-1917. 24 bound volumes, in 24 folders in boxes 14-18.
2.5 Vice President's correspondence, 1904-1914. 3 bound volumes, in 3 folders in box 19. Missing/ gap: 1907-1909.
2.6 General Superintendent's correspondence, 1897-1913. 15 bound volumes, in 15 folders in boxes 20-23. Includes one volume of Assistant Superintendent’s correspondence, 1891-1895.
2.7 General Manager's correspondence, 1907-1908. 1 volume, in box 24.

Subgroup 3: Financial records

3.1 Accounting Department and Treasury Department instructions, 1916. 1 folder, in box 25.
3.2 Distribution of expenses, 1892-1895. 3 bound volumes, in 3 folders in box 25.
3.4 Auditor's records, 1892-1917. 4 folders in box 26.
3.6 Financial statements, 1893-1898, 9 bound volumes. 9 folders, in boxes 27 and 28.
3.7 Stock and bond records, circa 1890-1918. 6 folders, in boxes 28-31. Includes a stock register, circa 1890-1923, 1 volume, 2 document cases of bond coupons. Listing, by stockholder, of capital stock share ownership. Volume is 3/4 blank. Also, certificates of stock shares, 1890-1893 and 1917.
3.9 Income and operating expenses records, 1891-1928. 16 folders, in boxes 32 and 33. Includes profit and loss statements, income and disbursements records, assets statements, and income and expenditures reports.
3.10 Cashbooks, 1893-1913, 13 bound volumes. 13 folders, in boxes 34-40.
3.11 Journals, 1893-1932, 11 bound volumes. 11 folders, in boxes 41-46.
3.12 Jeffery receivership records, 1890-1896. 8 folders, in box 47. Includes a volume of legal papers (including trial expense sheets) for the case of Denver & Rio Grande Railroad vs. Rio Grande Southern Railroad and a similarly bound report to the receiver, both in 1893, and a volume entitled "memo balance book" which is full of lists of railroad agents, stations, and passenger and freight statistics for the period 1894 Aug.- 1896 Aug. Edward T. Jeffery was the court-appointed receiver.
3.13 Ledgers, 1895-1921, 1929, 13 volumes. 13 folders, in boxes 48-53. Includes a volume labeled "corporate ledger," 1918-1920, and a volume labeled "federal ledger," 1917-1920. This list railroad accounts and expenses. Missing/gap: 1899-1902.
3.15 Federal journal, 1918-1923, 1 bound volume, in box 54. This volume, written in Denver, contains financial accounts.
3.17 Record of vouchers, 1892-1895, 2 bound volumes. 2 folders, in box 55.
3.18 Vouchers, billing records, and bills for vouchers, 1890-1899, and 1906-1922, 7 bound volumes, and unbound records. 65 folders, in boxes 55-58. These were requests for payment from the Rio Grande Southern for supplies and services it received, including a wide scope of things such as rental of locomotives, purchase of meals for employees, and refunds of freight payments. Includes general releases.
3.19 Claims, 1892-1918, 7 bound volumes, and unbound records. 16 folders, in boxes 59-60. These include claims for livestock killed by the trains, and for damaged or lost goods. Includes correspondence about claims, bills collectible, rent collection records, and certificates for payments due.
3.20 Freight records and correspondence, including freight waybills, 1884-1949, 2 bound volumes, and unbound records. 27 folders, in boxes 61 and 62. One of the volumes is a fragile letterpress copybook of financial figures from October 1891 through January 1898, including rail reports, train service figures, fuel balance sheets, reports of coal received, inventories of tools and supplies, inventories of track material on line, joint inspector's monthly reports, receiver's reports, material distribution reports (by station--largest section of the volume), list of locomotives and the condition of each on March 28 ,1896, descriptive list of buildings and bridges etc., and annual report (with supplementary schedules) to the State Board of Equalization on December 31, 1895. This series also includes post card bills for coal and other freight shipments, and freight waybills. Also, ore transportation requests, billing records, notices of freight on hand, and livestock contracts.
3.21 Receipts and other completed financial forms, 1943-1944. 1 folder, in box 62.
3.22 Interline checks, circa 1892 - circa 1930, 3 bound volumes and unbound records. 77 folders, in boxes 62 and 63. These are checks written to and from the Rio Grande Southern and associated railroads.
3.24 Distribution of materials including: rails, bridges, and real estate, 1891-1896. 1 folder, in box 64.
3.25 General store reports, 1892-1904. 2 folders, in box 65.

Subgroup 4: Personnel records

4.1 Payroll checks and vouchers for severance pay, 1891-1931. 10 folders, in box 66.
4.2 Unclaimed wages records, 1890-1895, 2 bound volumes. 2 folders, in box 66. See also Series 3.12 (receipts for wages under the Jeffery receivership, June – August 1916.
4.3 Payroll identification records, 1916. 1 folder, in box 66.
4.4 Pinkerton investigation records, circa 1891. 1 bound volume in 1 folder in box 66. Records pertaining to a legal investigation of company employees.
4.5 Assignments and garnishments records, 1929. 1 folder in box 66. See also Series 3.12 (records of the Jeffery receivership
4.6 Time rolls, overtime statements, and receipts for payment for services, 1932 and 1950. 2 folders in box 66.

Subgroup 5: Railroad operations records

5.1 Right of way records, circa 1908-1951, 1 bound volume and unbound records. 14 folders, in boxes 67 and 68. Maps, blueprints, and statements of claims pertaining to Rio Grande Southern routes, and abandonment records.
5.2 Inventories and rosters, circa 1893-1939, 4 bound volumes and unbound records. 6 folders, in box 69. Includes summaries of railroad equipment, track, and mileposts and stations information.
5.3 Interstate Commerce Commission / interstate and intrastate railroad operations records and correspondence, 1931 and 1936. 2 folders, in box 69. These include records of tariffs and Colorado inter-railroad traffic.
5.4 Motive power correspondence, 1891-1892, 1 bound volume. 1 folder, in box 69.
5.5 Train orders, 1892 Apr. 12 - May 28 and 1936-1951 with many gaps, in 1 bound volume and unbound records. 2 folders, in boxes 69 and 70. Daily instructions for engine runs.
5.6 Return of time/ train report books, 1891-1951, 5 bound volumes and unbound records. 10 folders, in box 70-72. These are records of passenger and freight mileage etc. statistics for individual runs. Also includes conductors’ trip reports, trip records, and notes (most of Alva A. Lyons).
5.7 Tally sheets, 1902-1903, 1 bound volume. 1 folder, in box 73. These records contain such facts as train arrival and departure times and daily engine mileage figures.
5.8 Railroad ties correspondence, 1901-1906, 1 bound volume. 1 folder, in box 74. Documents pertaining to the company's contracts and purchases of railroad ties.
5.9 Accident reports, 1890-1928, 4 bound volumes and unbound records. 13 folders, in boxes 74 and 75. Also flood reports and damage reports. Includes Peake accident investigation records, 1919, 2 bound volumes: records relating to inquiries after the accident when a train ran off a damaged bridge, causing the death of Engineer Peake. Also in this series: video of 1921 train derailment, by Jim Jarvis.
5.10 Personal injury record and stock book, circa 1893-1894 (?), 1 bound volume. 1 folder, in box 76.
5.11 Livestock injury correspondence, 1912-1918, 1 bound volume. 1 folder, in box 76. Documents relating to railroad accidents in which livestock was injured; includes valuations of the animal's condition and value, etc.
5.12 Master mechanic's correspondence, 1903-1904 and 1912-1916, 3 bound volumes. 3 folders, in box 76. Communications to and from the Master Mechanic, Assistant Superintendents, and others involved with the daily operations of the railroad.
5.13 Equipment/ engine repairs records and inspection reports, 1902-1944, 1 bound volume and unbound records. 5 folders, in box 77.
5.14 Foreign roads records, 1891-1928, 1 bound volume and unbound records. 5 folders, in box 77. Includes foreign car mileage reports/invoices.
5.16 Private cars scrapbooks, 2 bound volumes. 2 folders, in box 78. Printed materials, including memorabilia and newspaper clippings, pertaining to private railroad passenger cars, including the Nomad. The second volume of newspaper clippings, awaits archival preservation photocopying.
5.17 Telluride station records, July and August, 1927. 1 folder, in box 79.
5.20 Railroad route blueprints and plats. 3 folders in box 80, and (most of these) oversize and extra-oversize flat file drawers.

Container list

Series	Box	Folder	Folder title	Date(s)
1.1	1	1	Agreement for assumption of operation of RGS by Director General of Railroads of the United States	1920
1.1	1	2	Agreement between Otto Mears, Fred Walsen and D.C. Hartwell establishing the railroad terminal that became Ridgway, Colorado	1890-02-28
1.2	1	3	Book of rules	1928
1.2	1	4	Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company circular no. 2, instructions on passenger train handling	1918
1.2	1	5	Instructions and supplements for general, to conductors, etc., locomotive fireman, and red ball freight system and safety instructions.	1906/1937
1.3	1	6	Bulletins	1947/1951
1.3	1	7	Wire bulletins	1949
1.3	1	8	Bureau of Explosives Bulletin #25	1940
1.3	1	9	Denver and Rio Grande/Rio Grande Southern joint circular 227-1908 instructions regarding clergy certificates and tickets	1908
1.3	1	10	The Rio Grande Western Railroad Company boarding boss circular No. 13,	1902-06-01
1.3	1	11	Boarding boss circular #21	1902
1.3	1	12	Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Co., Rio Grande Western Railway Co., and Rio Grande Southern Railroad Co., joint circular	1902-11-04
1.4	2	1	Timetables	1939/1943
1.4	2	2	Timetables (extras/ duplicates for display, etc.)	1939/1940
1.4	2	3	Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company timetable no. 5	1943-02-14
1.4	2	4	The official guide of the railways and steam navigation lines of the United States, Porto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba (plus airline schedules)	1938-10/ 1945-09
1.4	2	5	The official guide of the railways and steam navigation lines of the United States, Porto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba (also Central America plus airline schedules)	1950-01
1.5	2	6	Fare rates and schedules, Rio Grande Railroad system	Undated
1.6	3	1	Passenger tickets, Vol. 1	1894/1930
1.6	3	2	Passenger tickets, Vol. 2	1916/1950
1.6	3	3	Agent’s ticket stubs, prepaid order	1896
1.6	3	4	Agents ticket stubs	1894/1928
1.6	3	5	Agents ticket stubs	1946
1.6	3	6	Agents ticket stubs	1947/1949
1.6	3	7	Agents ticket stubs	1951
1.6	3	8	Parlor car ticket-passenger check	Undated
1.6	3	9	Parlor car tickets, form local 43-4 (unused)	Undated
1.6	3	10	Rio Grande Railroad ticket stubs from Alva Lyons	Undated
1.6	3	11	Passenger ticket tracers	1913/1923
1.6	3	12	Interline passenger tickets- Rio Grande Southern and Denver and Rio Grande	1916/1923
1.6	3	13	Ticket honored (not taken up) form 1024-5m-6-23	1923
1.6	3	14	Trip pass coupon, going trip	1930/1935
1.6	3	15	Trip pass	1930
1.6	3	16	Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co. passenger’s check (seat assignment)	1937
1.7	4	1	Passenger tickets, all railroads, Vol. 1	1923/1935
1.7	4	2	Ticket stubs all railroads	Undated
1.7	4	3	Passenger tickets issued by Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railway Company	1923
1.7	4	4	Passenger tickets issued by the Golf Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad	1922/1923
1.7	4	5	Passenger tickets issued by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad	1923
1.7	4	6	Passenger tickets issued by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company	1923
1.7	4	7	Passenger tickets Silverton Northern Railroad Co.	Undated
1.7	4	8	Passenger tickets issued by Southern Pacific Company	1923
1.7	4	9	Passenger tickets issued by the Union Pacific System	1923
1.8	4	10	Blank forms Rio Grande Southern Vol. 1	Undated
1.8	4	11	Advanced charges draft- Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Co. (blank forms)	1890/1899
1.8	4	12	Annual locomotive inspection and repair report, form 1m-5-26 (blank, unused)	1915
1.8	4	13	Annual locomotive inspection and repair report, Rio Grande Southern form 813-1M-9-43-news (blank, unused)	1915
1.8	4	14	Cars on hand, Denver and Rio Grande Western form 3872 (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	4	15	Cash fare train tickets, Denver Rio Grande Western Railroad Co. (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	4	16	Conductor’s blind siding report, Denver and Rio Grande West form 3929 (blank, unused)	19__
1.8	4	17	Daily performance report, Rio Grande Southern Form 809-3M-siler 1-51 (blank, unused)	1950/1959
1.8	5	1	Empty slip bill home route card, Denver and Rio Grande Western form 3611 (blank, unused)	1930/1939
1.8	5	2	Engineer’s report of stock killed or injured; Denver and Rio Grande Western form 3511 (blank, unused)	19__
1.8	5	3	Form for employees to accept provisions of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad hospital fund (blank, unused)	1941
1.8	5	4	Forms from other railroads (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	5	5	Freight waybill, Rio Grande Southern form 1014 (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	5	6	Monthly locomotive unit inspection and repair report, form No. 1-A (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	5	7	Monthly locomotive unit inspection and repair report, form No. 1-A-3M-2-37 (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	5	8	Office record of boilers washed and gauge cock spindles and water glass cocks removed and cleaned, Denver and Rio Grande Western form 3564 (blank, unused)	19__
1.8	5	9	Oder bill of lading, Rio Grande Southern form 1029 (blank, unused)	1908
1.8	5	10	Pass identification card form 126 (blank, unused)	1920/1929
1.8	5	11	Record of test, Denver and Rio Grande Western form 3418 section 6 (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	5	12	Rest register for trainmen and engine man, Denver and Rio Grande Western form 3263 (blank0	19__
1.8	5	13	Rio Grande Southern envelope, Pierpont Fuller Jr., receiver; Denver and Rio Grande Western envelope form 3891 for money only (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	5	14	Shipping stickers- The “Galloping Goose” Line	Undated
1.8	5	15	Station agent’s daily running record of carload shipments of fresh/ dried fruits or vegetables, form FV-28 (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	5	16	Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company telegram, form 5002 (blank, unused)	Undated
1.8	5	17	Train order, Denver and Rio Grande Western form 3250 (blank, unused)	19__
1.8	5	18	Trip report book, form 724 (blank, unused)	1940/1949
1.8	5	19	Train report of ticket and cash collection form 1203-1M-4-45-siler (blank, unused)	1940/1949
1.8	5	20	Uniform livestock contract, form 386-1M-9-34-C (blank, unused)	1930-08-01
1.8	5	21	Uniform straight bill of lading, Rio Grande Southern form 1028 (blank, unused)	1941
1.8	5	22	Waybill correction form 1006-12-49 (blank, unused)	19__
1.8	5	23	Western Union telegram (blank form)	191_
1.9	5	24	Rocky Mountain Views on the Rio Grande	circa 1917
1.9	5	25	Flyer advertisement for excursion to Mesa Verde via Denver and Rio Grande and Rio Grande Southern	1901-09-03
1.9	5	26	Advertisement for “The Rio Grande Southern Story” by Josie Moore Crum	1955
1.9	5	27	Trip schedules, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad	Undated
1.9	5	28	“Animas Adventure” published in Colorado Wonderland (about the Denver and Rio Grande Western)	1955-06
1.9	5	29	Narrow gauge railroad newspaper clippings	1950/1960
1.9	5	30	Narrow gauge railroad newspaper clippings	Undated
1.9	5	31	Newspaper article about the demise of the Galloping Goose	Undated
1.9	5	32	Private cars available for charter on Silverton Ron, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad	Undated
1.9	5	33	Iron Horse News, by the Colorado Railroad Museum	1959/1961
1.9	5	34	Other railroad publications	1953/1980
1.9	5	35	Christmas greetings	1949
1.9	6	1	Newspaper article on purchase of Durango-Silverton Railroad	1982-01-12
1.9	6	2	Newspaper advertising	1960s
1.10	7	1	The Rio Grande Southern: An index to published photographs	Undated
1.10	7	2	Pamphlets and other railroads	1914/1961
1.10	7	3	Baldwin Locomotive Works, illustrated catalog of narrow-gauge locomotives	1897
2.1	8	1	Construction company correspondence	1890/1891
2.1	8	2	Building and bridge correspondence	1892/1893
2.1	8	3	Bridge and building record	1890/1897
2.2	9	1	Ballad of Otto Mears	1926
2.2	9	2	Otto Mears silver filigree passes, photographs of	1892/1894
2.2	9	3	Otto Mears railroad passes	1942
2.2	9	4	Otto Mears newspaper articles	1959/1962
2.2	9	5	Order envelopes, Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Co., form 5043	Undated
2.2	9	6	Mears system of toll roads, correspondence	1886-03
2.3	9	7	General office correspondence	1890/1892
2.3	9	8	General office correspondence	1892
2.3	9	9	General office correspondence	1896
2.3	10	1	General office correspondence	1896/1897
2.3	10	2	General office correspondence	1896/1899
2.3	10	3	General office correspondence	1897/1898
2.3	10	4	General office correspondence	1898
2.3	11	1	General office correspondence	1898/1899
2.3	11	2	General office correspondence	1899/1900
2.3	11	3	General office correspondence	1900
2.3	11	4	General office correspondence	1900/1901
2.3	12	1	General office correspondence	1902/1904
2.3	12	2	General office correspondence	1904/1906
2.3	12	3	General office correspondence	1906/1907
2.3	12	4	General office correspondence	1907/1909
2.3	13	1	General office correspondence	1910/1912
2.3	13	2	General office correspondence	1912/1915
2.3	13	3	General office correspondence	1915/1917
2.4	14	1	Miscellaneous correspondence	1891
2.4	14	2	Miscellaneous correspondence	1892
2.4	14	3	Miscellaneous correspondence	1893
2.4	14	4	Miscellaneous correspondence	1894
2.4	14	5	Miscellaneous correspondence	1899
2.4	15	1	Index to miscellaneous letter book	1892
2.4	15	2	Miscellaneous correspondence	1892/1894
2.4	15	3	Miscellaneous correspondence	1894
2.4	15	4	Miscellaneous correspondence	1892/1897
2.4	15	5	Correspondence- Rio Grande Southern, Denver and Rio Grande, Florence and Cripple Creek Railroads	1896
2.4	15	6	Miscellaneous correspondence (scrapbook)	1893
2.4	15	7	Miscellaneous correspondence	1897/1898
2.4	16	1	Miscellaneous correspondence	1898/1899
2.4	16	2	Miscellaneous correspondence	1900
2.4	16	3	Miscellaneous correspondence	1901
2.4	16	4	Miscellaneous correspondence	1903/1904
2.4	17	1	Miscellaneous correspondence	1907
2.4	17	2	Miscellaneous correspondence	1907/1908
2.4	17	3	Miscellaneous correspondence	1910/1911
2.4	17	4	Miscellaneous correspondence	1913/1914
2.4	18	1	Miscellaneous correspondence	1914/1916
2.4	18	2	Miscellaneous correspondence	1916
2.4	18	3	Miscellaneous correspondence	1916/1917
2.4	18	4	Miscellaneous correspondence	1939
2.5	19	1	Vice President’s correspondence	1904/1906
2.5	19	2	Vice President’s correspondence	1910/1911
2.5	19	3	Vice President’s correspondence	1912/1914
2.6	20	1	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1897/1901
2.6	20	2	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1899/1917
2.6	21	1	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1899/1900
2.6	21	2	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1900
2.6	21	3	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1901/1903
2.6	21	4	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1912/1913
2.6	21	5	Internal management directories, Superintendent’s Office	1902
2.6	22	1	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1903/1904
2.6	22	2	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1905/1907
2.6	22	3	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1906/1907
2.6	22	4	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1908/1909
2.6	23	1	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1909/1910
2.6	23	2	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1911/1912
2.6	23	3	General Superintendent’s correspondence	1912/1913
2.6	23	4	Assistant Superintendent’s correspondence	1891/1895
2.7	24	1	General Manager’s correspondence	1907/1908
3.1	25	1	Instruction to Treasury Department	1916-01-01
3.2	25	2	Distribution of expenses	1892-02-01/ 1892-06-30
3.2	25	3	Distribution of expenses	1893-08/ 1895-06
3.2	25	4	Distribution of expenses	1892/1895
3.3			{there is no Series 3.3)
3.4	26	1	Auditor’s records	1892
3.4	26	2	Audited accounts	1892-02-01/ 1893-07-031
3.4	26	3	Audited accounts	1893-08-01/ 1895-12-01
3.4	26	4	Auditor’s reports	1910/1913
3.4	26	5	Auditor’s correspondence	1913/1917
3.5			{there is no Series 3.5}
3.6	27	1	Financial statements, vol. 1	1893
3.6	27	2	Financial statements, vol. 2	1893
3.6	27	3	Financial statements, vol. 1	1894
3.6	27	4	Financial statements, vol. 2	1894
3.6	27	5	Financial statements, vol. 1	1895
3.6	27	6	Financial statements, vol. 2	1895
3.6	27	7	Financial statements	1894/1897
3.6	27	8	Financial statements	1897/1898
3.6	28	1	Miscellaneous statements (balance sheets, etc)	1903-03/ 1909-12
3.7	28	2	Stock and bond records	1890/1923
3.7	28	3	Stock register- capital stock Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company	Undated
3.7	29		Stock and bond records (bond coupons)	1890s/1900s
3.7	30		Stock and bond records (bond coupons)	1890s/1900s
3.7	31	1	Certificates of stock shares	1890/1918
3.7	31	2	Annual report to the stockholders of Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company	1899
3.7	31	3	Certificate of Deposit (bond issuance)	1922
3.8			{there is no Series 3.8}
3.9	32	1	Denver and Rio Grande Express with Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company- earning statements	1891/1893
3.9	32	2	Western Union Telegraph Company on Rio Grande Southern Line, income and expenditures	1891/1893
3.9	32	3	Correspondence regarding loss of doing business	1893/1943
3.9	32	4	Ticket redemption drafts	1894/1924
3.9	32	5	Statements of assets	1895
3.9	32	6	Profit and loss statements	1896
3.9	32	7	Profit and loss statements	1905
3.9	32	8	Profit and loss statements	1918
3.9	32	9	Profit and loss statements	1920
3.9	32	10	Profit and loss statements	1926/1928
3.9	32	11	Operating expenses, vol. 1	1895-07/ 1900-06
3.9	32	12	Ticket sales statements	1901/1902
3.9	32	13	Statement of assets	1917
3.9	32	14	Income and disbursements	1919-12
3.9	33	1	Miscellaneous operating statistics	1904/1909
3.9	33	2	Miscellaneous materials reports	1909/1914
3.10	34	1	Cash book	1893-05-01/ 1893-08-01
3.10	34	2	Cash book treasurer’s office	1895-12-02/ 1898-10-31
3.10	35	1	Cash book receiver’s (duplicate)	1893-08-02/ 1894-11-30
3.10	35	1	Cash book receiver’s (duplicate)	1893-08-02/ 1894-11-30
3.10	36	1	Cash book receiver’s (duplicate)	1894-12-01/ 1895-12-30
3.10	36	2	Cash book receiver’s (duplicate)	1894-12-01/ 1895-12-30
3.10	37	1	Cash book “B”	1898-11-01/ 1902-05-31
3.10	37	2	Cash book “C’	1902-06-02/ 1906-01-25
3.10	38	1	Cash book “D”	1906-01-26/ 1908-05-30
3.10	38	2	Cash book “E’	1908-06-01/ 1910-11-18
3.10	39	1	Cash book “F”	1910-11/ 1915-01-31
3.10	40	1	Cash book “G”	1913-04-01/ 1915-03-31
3.10	40	2	Cash book “H”	1915-04-01/ 1917-04-30
3.11	41	1	Journals	1893-08/ 1895-12
3.11	41	2	Journals	1895-12/ 1899-09
3.11	42	1	Journal “B”	1899-10-01/ 1905-07-31
3.11	42	2	Journal	08-03/06-06
3.11	43	1	Journal	1906-07-31/ 1909-06-30
3.11	44	1	Journal “E”	1909-07-31/ 1913-06-30
3.11	45	1	Journal entries	1919
3.11	45	2	Journal entries	1920
3.11	45	3	Day book journal	1931-03-31/ 1932-02-29
3.11	46	1	Journal E-1	1913-07-31/ 1916-12-31
3.11	46	2	Corporate journal	1918-01-01/ 1920-12-31
3.12	47	1	Unclaimed wages: Jeffery receivership	1890/1895
3.12	47	2	Unclaimed wages: Jeffery receivership	1893/1896
3.12	47	3	Assignments and garnishments: Jeffery receivership	1893/1895
3.12	47	4	Rio Grande Southern report to receiver	1893
3.12	47	5	Jeffrey receivership	1893/1896
3.12	47	6	Memo balance book	1894-08/ 1896-08
3.12	47	7	Individuals and companies (financial records)	1893-08/ 1895-12
3.12	47	8	Special rates and authorities	1893/1895
3.13	48	1	Cash	1893/1895
3.13	48	2	Ledger of operating expenses	1895/1898
3.13	48	3	Rio Grande Southern bills	1925/1930
3.13	49	1	Ledger H	1892/1895
3.13	49	2	Ledger	1903/1916
3.13	50	1	Ledger B	1895-12-01/ 1900-06-30
3.13	50	2	Ledger C	1900-07-01/ 1906-06-30
3.13	51	1	Ledger D	1906/1909
3.13	51	2	Ledger E	1909/1915
3.13	52	1	Ledger D	1909/1917
3.13	52	2	Federal ledger	1918/1921
3.13	53	1	Ledger receiver	1929
3.13	53	2	Corporate ledger	1918/1920
3.14			{there is no Series 3.14}
3.15	54	1	Federal journal	1918/1923
3.16			{there is no Series 3.16}
3.17	55	1	Record of vouchers	1892-02/ 1895-02
3.17	55	2	Record of vouchers	1893/1895
3.18	55	3	Vouchers- The Rio Grande Southern Construction Company	1890/1892
3.18	55	4	Bills for vouchers	1890/1892
3.18	56	1	Vouchers, 1-100 and 101-199	1892
3.18	56	2	Vouchers, 200-299 and 300-399	1892
3.18	56	3	Vouchers, 400-500	1892
3.18	56	4	Voucher, bills for voucher, for Mancos Extension	1892
3.18	56	5	Vouchers	1892-05
3.18	56	6	Vouchers	1892-06
3.18	56	7	Vouchers	1892-07
3.18	56	8	Vouchers	1892-08
3.18	56	9	Vouchers	1892-09
3.18	56	10	Vouchers	1892-10
3.18	56	11	Vouchers	1892-11
3.18	56	12	Vouchers	1892-12
3.18	56	13	Bills for voucher	1892
3.18	57	1	Billing records, Mancos Extension	1892
3.18	57	2	Billing records	1892-01/ 1893-03
3.18	57	3	Billing records	1892-04
3.18	57	4	Billing records	1892-05
3.18	57	5	Billing records	1892-06
3.18	57	6	Billing records	1892-07
3.18	57	7	Billing records	1892-08
3.18	57	8	Billing records	1892-09
3.18	57	9	Billing records	1892-12
3.18	57	10	Vouchers	1893-01
3.18	57	11	Vouchers	1893-02
3.18	57	12	Vouchers	1893-03
3.18	57	13	Vouchers	1893-04
3.18	57	14	Vouchers	1893-05
3.18	57	15	Vouchers	1893-06
3.18	57	16	Vouchers	1893-08/ 1893-09
3.18	57	17	Bills for voucher	1893
3.18	57	18	Billing records	1893-01
3.18	57	19	Billing records	1893-02
3.18	57	20	Billing records	1893-03
3.18	57	21	Billing records	1893-04
3.18	57	22	Billing records	1893-05
3.18	57	23	Billing records	1893-06
3.18	57	24	Billing records	1893-07
3.18	57	25	Billing records	1893-08
3.18	57	26	Billing records	1893-09
3.18	57	27	Billing records	1893-10
3.18	57	28	Billing records	1893-11
3.18	57	29	General release: A. B. Brown voucher No. 208	1892-08
3.18	57	30	General release: A. F. Doze voucher No. 680	1892-10
3.18	57	31	General release: Joseph Petro voucher No. 1172	1892-12
3.18	57	32	General release: M. M. Williams voucher No. 1525	1893-02
3.18	57	33	General release: Nelson D. Porter voucher No. 1530	1893-02
3.18	57	34	General release: Mrs. Nellie Smither voucher No. 77	1893-12
3.18	57	35	Vouchers	1894
3.18	57	36	Bills for voucher	1897
3.18	58	1	Vouchers	1895
3.18	58	2	Vouchers	1896
3.18	58	3	Vouchers	1897
3.18	58	4	Vouchers	1898/1899
3.18	58	5	Vouchers for accidents	1906/1922
3.18	58	6	Vouchers for payments due	1911/1912
3.18	58	7	Public voucher for transportation of freight, Department of Agriculture	1913/1918
3.18	58	8	Bill for vouchers	1917-07/ 1918-08
3.18	58	9	Vouchers	1922-04
3.18	58	10	Vouchers for payments due	1922
3.19	59	1	Claims	1892/1897
3.19	59	2	Claims	1897/1902
3.19	59	3	Claims	1899/1901
3.19	59	4	Claims	1902/1905
3.19	60	1	Claims	1905/1908
3.19	60	2	Claims	1908/1910
3.19	60	3	Claims	1910/1913
3.19	60	4	Personal injury record and stock claim book	Undated
3.19	60	5	Correspondence re: claims	1897/1908
3.19	60	6	Claims for ticket over charge	1915
3.19	60	7	Bills collectible	1893/1894
3.19	60	8	Bills collectible	1897/1898
3.19	60	9	Bills collectible	1906
3.19	60	10	Bills collectible	1913/1918
3.19	60	11	Rent collections on joint property, 2nd half	1906
3.19	60	12	Certificates of payment due	1892/1944
3.20	61	1	Freight rates	1884
3.20	61	2	Notices of special rate	1891/1892
3.20	61	3	Freight waybills, vol. 1	1892/1895
3.20	61	4	Freight waybills	1892
3.20	61	5	Freight waybills	1893
3.20	61	6	Freight waybills	1894
3.20	61	7	Freight waybills	1895
3.20	61	8	Black hawk mine requests for transportation of ore by Rio Grande Southern	1894
3.20	61	9	Railway express agency register of shipments receipts for bullion	1949
3.20	61	10	Notice of special rate (freight)	1891
3.20	61	11	Credits for car service on Silverton Railroad	1892/1893
3.20	61	12	Credits for car service on Denver and Rio Grande Railroads	1891/1893
3.20	61	13	Notices of coal shipments, Porter Fuel Company	1910/1913
3.20	61	14	Freight notices, Globe Express Company	1908/1909
3.20	61	15	Notices of freight on hand at Placerville (Colo.) Station	1908/1909
3.20	61	16	Express accounts Denver and Rio Grande Express	1891
3.20	61	17	Freight way bill the Silverton Railroad Company	1894
3.20	61	18	Freight way will Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company	1894/1895
3.20	62	1	Notice of freight on hand	1921
3.20	62	2	Local waybills May thru July	1923
3.20	62	3	Freight waybills less than carload	1923
3.20	62	4	Bills collectible from Denver and Rio Grande	1923
3.20	62	5	Livestock contracts	1923
3.20	62	6	Bill of lading	1927
3.20	62	7	Freight waybills	1941
3.20	62	8	Freight rates: beans and ore concentrate	1947
3.20	62	9	Waybill corrections	1949
3.21	62	10	Requisitions and invoices	1943/1944
3.22	62	11	Interline checks, vol. 1	1892/1930
3.22	62	12	Interline checks, vol. 2	1892/1930
3.22	62	13	Interline checks, vol. 3	1892/1930
3.22	63	1	Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company checks	1892/1920
3.22	63	2	Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company checks	1921/1929
3.22	63	3	Baltimore and Ohio Railroad checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	4	Boston and Albany Railroad check	1920
3.22	63	5	Boston and Maine Railroad check	1929
3.22	63	6	Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway Company check	1929
3.22	63	7	Burlington and Missouri River Railroad checks	1892/1893
3.22	63	8	Canadian Pacific Railway Company check	1921
3.22	63	9	The Chicago and Alton Railroad Company check	1892/1929
3.22	63	10	Central of Georgia Railway check	1929
3.22	63	11	Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	12	Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad Company check	1929
3.22	63	13	Chicago and Erie Railroad Company checks	1892/1893
3.22	63	14	Chicago and grand Trunk Railway check	1893
3.22	63	15	Chicago Great Western Railroad checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	16	Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	17	Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company checks	1929
3.22	63	18	Chicago and North Western Railroad Company checks	1893/1929
3.22	63	19	Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Company checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	20	Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railway Company checks	1892/1921
3.22	63	21	The Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Railway Company check	1929
3.22	63	22	Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway Company check	1929
3.22	63	23	The Colorado and Southern Railway Company checks	1929/1934
3.22	63	24	Colorado and Wyoming Railroad Company checks (interline freight)	1929
3.22	63	25	Denver and Rio Grande Railroad check to Rio Grande Southern	1892/1894
3.22	63	26	Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company check to Rio Grande Southern	1920/1921
3.22	63	27	Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company checks	1929
3.22	63	28	Denver, Boulder and Western Railroad check	1919
3.22	63	29	Erie Railroad Company checks	1921/1929
3.22	63	30	Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad Company check	1914
3.22	63	31	Payments to Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad through U.S. Railroad administration	1920/1929
3.22	63	32	Grand Trunk Railway checks	1892/1929
3.22	63	33	Great Northern Railroad checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	34	Great Western Railway check	1929
3.22	63	35	Illinois Central Railroad Company check (interline freight)	1920/1929
3.22	63	36	Kansas City Southern Railway check	1929
3.22	63	37	Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad Company check	1920/1929
3.22	63	38	Louisville and Nashville Railroad check	1929
3.22	63	39	Michigan Central Railroad Company checks	1893/1929
3.22	63	40	The Midland Terminal Railway checks	1920/1921
3.22	63	41	Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	42	Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad check	1928
3.22	63	43	Missouri Pacific Railroad Company checks	1892/1929
3.22	63	44	Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway check	1929
3.22	63	45	Nevada Northern Railway checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	46	New York, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad Company checks	1920/1928
3.22	63	47	New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company checks	1892/1893
3.22	63	48	New York Central Railroad Company checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	49	New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad checks	1892/1893
3.22	63	50	New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad check	1929
3.22	63	51	Northern Pacific Railway Company checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	52	Oregon Shortline Railroad Company checks	1920/1921
3.22	63	53	Oregon- Washington Railroad and Navigation Company checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	54	Pacific Railway Company check	1920
3.22	63	55	Pere Marquette Railway check	1929
3.22	63	56	Pennsylvania Railroad check	1892/1929
3.22	63	57	Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company checks	1892/1893
3.22	63	58	Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	59	Rio Grande Western Railway Company checks	1892/1893
3.22	63	60	Southern Pacific Company, Atlantic Steamship Lines checks	1920/1921
3.22	63	61	Southern Pacific Company, Pacific Lines checks	1892/1929
3.22	63	62	Southern Pacific Railroad and Steamship Line checks issued by United States Railroad Administration	1920
3.22	63	63	St. Louis- San Francisco Railway Company checks	1920/1929
3.22	63	64	Union Pacific Railroad checks	1892/1929
3.22	63	65	Uintah Railway Company checks	1921
3.22	63	66	United States Railroad Administration checks	1920
3.22	63	67	Wabash Railway checks	1892/1929
3.22	63	68	Western Pacific Railroad Company checks	1921/1929
3.22	63	68	Agent’s drafts	1927/1947
3.22	63	70	Checks cancelled and drawn on various banks	1892
3.22	63	71	Rio Grande Southern cancelled checks	1892/1893
3.22	63	72	Drawn on the First National Bank of Denver checks	1931
3.22	63	73	Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company interest checks	1892/1893
3.22	63	74	Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company payments to receiver	1934
3.23			{there is no Series 3.23}
3.24	64	1	Distribution of materials including: rails, bridges, and real estate	1891/1896
3.25	65	1	General store report	1892/1897
3.25	65	2	General store report	1896/1904
4.1	66	1	Vouchers for severance pay for March and May, 1892	1892-03/ 1892-05
4.1	66	2	Mancos extension payroll records	1892
4.1	66	3	Payroll checks; mostly for unclaimed wages	1892-02/ 1892-04
4.1	66	4	Payroll checks; mostly for unclaimed wagess	1892-05/ 1892-07
4.1	66	5	Payroll check nos. 61533-63272	1914
4.1	66	6	Payroll check nos. 79902-80680	1918
4.1	66	7	Payroll check nos. 78415-78515 (back pay and unclaimed wages)	1918
4.1	66	8	Payroll check nos. 80270-80586	1918
4.1	66	9	United States Railroad Administration payroll checks	1919-03/ 1919-04
4.1	66	10	Payroll checks	1926-06
4.2	66	11	Receipts for payment for services	1905
4.2	66	12	Receipts for payment of services June - August 1916	1916
4.3	66	13	Payroll identification records	1916
4.4	66	14	Pinkerton investigation	1891
4.5	66	15	Satisfaction of judgment, Dolores County Court, garnishee	1929
4.6	66	16	Overtime statements	1932
4.6	66	17	Receipts for railroad fund	1950
5.1	67	1	Plats of Rio Grande Southern Railroad and Turnouts (extras)	undated
5.1	67	2	Rio Grande Southern Railroad spurs to local mines, drawing (1 page)	1949
5.1	67	3	Topographic profile of Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad system; including Rio Grande Southern	1908, 1909, and 1924
5.1	67	4	Request to use part of Rio Grande Southern right of way for county highway from La Plata County	1921
5.1	67	5	Request for power line on Rio Grande Southern right-of-way by Rico Argentine Mining Co.	1949
5.1	67	6	Railroad consolidations and unifications interstate commerce commission hearings	1931
5.1	67	7	Application to Colorado public utilities commission request for authority to discontinue services of trains 371 and 372 and stations at Rico and Placerville	1950-05
5.1	67	8	Abandonment of Rio Grande Southern service new articles	1946/1951
5.1	67	9	Order setting hearing for authority to abandon the railroad	1951-11-13
5.1	67	10	Order granting receiver's request to cease operations of Rio Grande Southern	1951-11-13
5.1	67	11	Report of the receiver and petition for authority to cease operations and for permission to abandon the railroad	1951
5.1	67	12	Abandonment of Rio Grande Southern	1951
5.1	68	1	Right of Way vol. I	Undated
5.1	68	2	Construction profile Rio Grande Southern Construction Company vol. I	Undated
5.2	69	1	Rio Grande Southern Railroad stations and mile posts	Undated
5.2	69	2	Inventory and roster	1893
5.2	69	3	Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad system (including Rio Grande Southern) official roster	1916, 1923
5.2	69	4	Inventory and roster	1923
5.2	69	5	Inventory	1931
5.2	69	6	Inventory	1939
5.3	69	7	Tariffs for Colorado intrastate railroad traffic, public utilities commission of State of Colorado (vol. 1)	1936
5.3	69	8	Interstate commerce commission, letter concerning Senate Joint Resolution 250 and House Joint Resolution 497 directing a study of transportation	1931
5.4	69	9	Rio Grande Southern Railroad motive power letters	1891/1892
5.5	69	10	Train orders	1892

5.5	70	1	Train orders	1936, 1941/1945, and 1951
5.6	70	2	Trip report book	1912/1916
5.6	70	3	Trip report book, form 723	1919/1920, 1951
5.6	70	4	Conductor Trip records and notes	1935/1937
5.6	70	5	Conductor trip records and notes	1935/1938
5.6	70	6	Conductor trip records and notes	1934/1938
5.6	71	1	Rio Grande Southern Railroad return of time vol. 1	1891/1893
5.6	71	2	Rio Grande Southern Railroad return of time vol. 1	1893/1896
5.6	72	1	Return of time, vol. 1	1896/1898
5.6	72	2	Return of time, vol. 1	1898/1901
5.6	73	1	Return of time, vol. 1	1901/1903
5.7	73	2	Tally sheets, vol. 1	1902/1903
5.8	74	1	Tie letters	1901/1906
5.9	74	2	Accident reports	1890/1891
5.9	74	3	Accident reports	1891
5.9	74	4	Accident and stock reports	1891/1892
5.9	74	5	Accident reports	1892/1904
5.9	75	1	Accident reports	1904/1907
5.9	75	2	Claim for destruction of mail car	1905
5.9	75	3	Peake accident, vol. I (includes photos)	1919-09-08
5.9	75	4	Peake accident, vol. II	1919-09-08
5.9	75	5	Evaluation of effects of Lightner Creek flood	1919
5.9	75	6	Train derailment, Jim Jarvis footage (3/4” master tape)	1921
5.9	75	7	Passenger accident reports, form 1215-7.10.3m	1922-10-30
5.9	75	8	Investigation regarding damage to caboose #0518 in Vance Yard	1925-05-13
5.9	75	9	Derailment accident	1928-07-02
5.10	76	1	Personal injury record and stock book	Undated
5.11	76	2	Correspondence regarding accidents in which livestock were injured	1912/1918
5.12	76	3	Master mechanics correspondence	1903/1904
5.12	76	4	Master mechanics correspondence	1912/1915
5.12	76	5	Master mechanics correspondence	1915/1916
5.13	77	1	Engine inspections	1944
5.13	77	2	Rio Grande Southern equipment repaired by Denver and Rio Grande	1918
5.13	77	3	Engine repairs	1923
5.13	77	4	Track repair correspondence	1902
5.13	77	5	Equipment repairs	1921/1923
5.14	77	6	Foreign car mileage	1891/10/11
5.14	77	7	Foreign car mileage billing record	1891
5.14	77	8	Car mileage invoices	1891/1892
5.14	77	9	Foreign roads	1893/1894
5.14	77	10	Records of outgoing cars	1924/1925, and 1928
5.15			{there is no Series 5.15}
5.16	78	1	Newspaper articles about the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad	1955, 1957, and 1960
5.16	78	2	Notebook of news articles regarding railroad private cars (including the Denver and Rio Grande West Nomad car)	1940/1960
5.17	79	1	Telluride station record	1927-07/ 1927/08
5.17	79	2	Train register, Vance Junction	1945-10-10/ 1946-11-10
5.18			{there is no Series 5.18}
5.19			{there is no Series 5.19}
5.20	80	1	Denver and Rio Grande locomotives drawings	1914
5.20	80	2	Blueprint (copies) of cabooses 0513-0567	Undated
5.20	80	3	Blueprints for equipment	Undated
5.20	And oversize maps and blueprints in map case drawers 1.10 and 2.33 - 2.34.

Creator	Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company
Dates	circa. 1884-1997, inclusive; 1890-1983, bulk
Extent	Approximately 60 linear shelf feet (approximately 140 volumes and approximately 5,000 unbound items, in 80 document cases and flat lidded boxes)
	This collection documents the operations and legacy of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, a narrow-gauge line built by Otto Mears that served Colorado’s western San Juan Mountains from 1890 to 1951. It includes correspondence, financial and personnel records, legal documents, blueprints, and ephemera. The collection provides rich insight into regional transportation, industry, and community life in southwestern Colorado.
Language	English
Collection Identifier	M019
Physical Location	This collection is located at the Center of Southwest Studies on the campus of Fort Lewis College (1000 Rim Dr. Durango, CO).

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