Need some information about this unusual Rio Grande F9 B-unit I saw. For most part it looked like a normal B-unit, but the roof on one side was flat and the other end was a normal B-unit roof. Rio Grande was painted over and saw was the Unit number, it is still painted in it's colors of orange/black/silver. two port windows under the normal roof, door in center and no window under flat roof. It was seen out side of Denver, Colorado a small town close to Wyoming states line.
Can any one tell me what type of F9 B-unit, this is and what it was used for?
It's my guess you've stumbled across an old Steam Generator Car previously used by the Rio Grand.
Mike
Railfan1 wrote:Where was it at?
I believe it said "It was seen out side of Denver, Colorado a small town close to Wyoming states line."
When the passenger engines got too old, the RGW modified some ALCO B's into 'Steam Generator & Power cars, to supply heat and electricity for passenger equipment being pulled by GP-40 and SD-45 'Road' Diesels.
The WP used new FP's which had steam & power for the Cal Zephyr. The Rio Grand did not.
Rio Grande's PB's were converted into steam generator cars in the mid-1960's. They were regularly assigned to the "Yampa Valley Mail" and the last remnant of the "Royal Gorge".