DRGW/SP Grain Elevators serviced

[wyldmanr8cer]

Could anyone tell me if the Rio Grande ever serviced any type of grain elevator or grain processor on its system? I know the DRGW had a small fleet of hoppers that could be used for grain but I can not find much of anything on grain elevators, etc. Thanks to everyone who can answer my question!

[erikem]

The D&RG had at least one grain elevator in the San Luis Valley during the early years of operation of the lines. My recollection was that it was on the Alamosa to Creede branch.

- Erik

[Texas Zepher]

wyldmanr8cer

Could anyone tell me if the Rio Grande ever serviced any type of grain elevator or grain processor on its system? I know the DRGW had a small fleet of hoppers that could be used for grain but I can not find much of anything on grain elevators, etc. Thanks to everyone who can answer my question!

The short answer is yes.   There is a very large grain elevator parallel with the famous Denver North Yard.  I am certain there are all sorts of towns along the front range that also had grain elevators on the line.  Google Maps - 5786 Pecos street in Denver, CO, also 5251 Fox Street and use the street view. 

Beyond that, it sort of depends on what you mean by the Rio Grande.  In the late 1980s the Rio Grande had running rights into Kansas on the some of the KP, MP, and Santa Fe tracks.  It was not uncommon to see a black GP uint with large orange speed lettering under a Kansas style grain elevator  (First time I saw one I had to stop and take a picture of it).   Also remember in 1987 the Rio Grande purchased the entire Southern Pacific railroad.  So every place on the former SP that had grain elevators would also technically been Rio Grande.