Colorful Denver Rock Island Railroad EMD NW2 No. 996 switches tank cars at Denver, Colorado, on April 11, 2006.

Denver Rock Island Railroad NW2 No. 996 is eastbound on the former Rock Island main line into Denver, Colorado, at Silver Yard near the I-70 overpass on April 11, 2006. On the right, contractors l... (more)

If you like vintage short line action visit the Denver Rock Island Railroad when you come to Denver. They run a variety of older engines in their fleet, including DRIR 996, a NW2 built in 1948.

A proud crew poses with 68-year-old Denver Rock Island Railroad EMD NW2 No. 996 at Silver Yard in Denver, Colorado, on April 11, 2006. The colorful switcher was originally built as Frisco No. 259 ... (more)

Denver Rock Island Railroad NW2 No. 996 trundles eastbound down the former Rock Island main line into Denver, Colorado, as it approaches Silver Yard near the I-70 overpass on April 11, 2006.

The Denver Rock Island Railroad keeps this 66 year old NW2 active, and it is often found working the small rail yard near the old Stapleton Airport.

Basking in the sun, the NW2 rests in the DRIR yard between assignments.

64 years young and still going strong, the veteran DRIR 996 (NW2 built in 1948) works the small industrial yards along the I-70 corridor in Denver.

Denver Rock Island Railroad 996 (NW2) making a run from Commerce City to Denver to help shuffle freight cars in a small yard at I-70 and Quebec.

Veteran Denver Rock Island Railroad 996 sways back and forth as it runs along THE CUT..... the line that connects the DRIR storage area in Commerce City with NE Denver.

Only switcher in red and yellow - others now painted blue and silver. 996 works former Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific RR main now owned by Union Pacific. Line will be upgraded in coming years to h... (more)

Switcher received fresh paint in 2005. Mild January 2006 weather had DRIR continuing track improvements. UP plans to rebuild this line by 2010 - more direct route to Watkins future UP yard.

DRIR was ex-Burlington Northern 419, exx-St. Louis & San Francisco (Frisco) 259. It's the only unit sporting the red and yellow scheme. Other DRIR power (3 units) painted summer 2005 blue and silv... (more)