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Slow ride on the Galloping Goose, 1951

Could be awhile, folks. Sheep have right of way. Even today!

Somewhere on the old Rio Grande Southern narrow-gauge system. According to the old photo caption, this was Railcar #1. I'm dubious; see the nice WIki writeup that follows. My guess this is one of the later Pierce-Arrow derivations. There were a total of 7 of these, built in the railroad's Ridgway shops to hold onto the vital Post Office contract to serve the Colo. mountain towns. They did their job admirably. Remarkably, all 7 survive, in one form or another. All still run! Must be a trick, finding parts for a 1930s Pierce-Arrow . . .

[Answered my own question by reading the Wiki article more closely. By the time the Geese were retired or turned to part-time tourist duty, there was very little left of the 1930s-era originals. Some very ingenious practical engineers there in the old RGS Ridgway shops!]

 

Original photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_ride_on_the_Galloping_G... My cleanup, crop & restoration. PD per wiki.

See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galloping_Goose_(railcar) for the story, which is cool.

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Uploaded on April 29, 2023
Taken on April 29, 2023