D&RGW MOW Equipment: Cook Car 053. When a work train is out on the line, there's no telling how long the crew is going to be away from their base. Whether cleaning up a derailment, or fighting winter snow drifts, a work train needs to carry fuel for more than just the locomotives and equipment. You are looking at the Denver & Rio Grande Western's Cook Car 053, which has been recently restored by the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec. This car was outfitted as a rolling kitchen, designed to feed the troops on long deployments. She has a large stove, and a galley area where food can be served. She was originally built as a mail and baggage car back in 1885, but like so many other MOW cars, she was later converted from her revenue service role to a bunk car back in 1929. In the 1940s, she was then converted to her current role. Although she is lettered for the Rotary OY consist, she could be used on most any MOW train. The trucks on this car right now are obviously not the originals, but the Friends are already working on period-correct trucks, to make the restoration complete.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.