Hardcover, 416 pages, B&W photographs, grade charts, track diagrams and more.
With connections to the Pacific Ocean controlled by the Union Pacific, George Jay Gould had no choice but to build his own railroad or risk having his railroad empire with no friendly outlet further west. This history is about the predecessors of the modern Rio Grande (before Southern Pacific and now Union Pacific mergers) which included the Rio Grande Western and other companies with Rio Grande in their name.
This handsomely done history of the Rio Grande written by an outstanding railroad author. The book covers the railroad from the very beginnings of the Denver & Rio Grande in 1870 through to the 1970s, as well as its subsidiaries, the Western Pacific Railway, and associated railroads.
Illustrated throughout with black and white photographs. With numerous maps, rosters, gradient profiles, timetable, locomotive dispositions and extensive bibliography. 416 pages with index.
Contents:
Preface, Introduction, pp. 5-14,
Denver & Rio Grande Railway, 1870-1886 pp. 15-50,
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, 1886-1908, pp. 51-82,
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway, 1881-1889, pp. 83-88,
Rio Grande Western Railway, 1889-1908, pp. 89-116,
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (Consolidated), 1908-1921, pp. 117-134,
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, 1921-1946, pp. 135-162,
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (Reorganized), 1947-1970, pp. 163-204,
Rio Grande Southern Railroad, 1889-1953, pp. 205-228,
Subsidiary Railroads, pp. 229-262,
Western Pacific, pp. 263-278,
Associated Railroads, pp. 279-294,
Curiosity Salon, pp. 295-304,
Corporate Control, pp. 305-306,
Electrification, pp. 307-314,
Rio Grande Territory - Including Maps and Profiles, pp. 315-384,
Denver & Rio Grande Time Table No. 13, pp. 385-403,
Locomotive Dispositions, pp. 404-406,
Bibliography, pg. 407,
Index (including photo index), pp.408-416.