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 Arriving in 2010
D&RGW and RGS Class
C-19 Locomotives
Now Taking Advance
Reservations!
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Blackstone Models is pleased to announce our
upcoming HOn3 version of the quintessential narrow gauge consolidation.
These D&RGW and RGS C-19 class locomotives will be offered in variations
that represent their appearance from the 1920s through the early 1950s.
Our first production run will represent the locomotives that featured
the classic flared style tender body. Available in D&RGW road numbers
343, 345, 346, and 347, and RGS 40, we are also releasing two
distinctive painted unlettered versions. In addition, a “special”
optional paint job for our number 345 will be available. Specific
information for each road number can be found by viewing the links to
each engine below |
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A Little C-19 History
From the late 1870s onward,
the 2-8-0 wheel arrangement was no stranger to the narrow
gauge Denver and Rio Grande Railway. However, one class of
consolidation has the distinction of being the most powerful
of all the 2-8-0s that were ordered from Baldwin Locomotive
Works.
In the summer of 1881, twelve heavier consolidations arrived
on the D&RG amidst a larger number of very similar, yet less
powerful 2-8-0s. Numbered from 400 to 411 and designated as
Class 70 (for approximately 70,000 pounds of weight), these
locomotives found immediate use filling the power needs of
the narrow gauge mainline from Salida to Gunnison via
Marshall Pass. After faithfully serving the old Gunnison
Division for a spell, five of these Class 70 engines were
converted to standard gauge for use on wider rails in the
1890’s. These locomotives were converted back to narrow
gauge by the turn of the century with a slight juxtaposition
of their original road numbers. They continued to serve the
railroad in various locations along the thriving narrow
gauge. Around 1914, the Class 70 locomotives were fitted
with new steel boilers in keeping with new laws enacted by
the Interstate Commerce Commission concerning boiler safety.
Along with these rebuilds came the appearance of longer,
extended smokeboxes, electric headlights, and straight
“shotgun” style smokestacks. This is the basic appearance
that these venerable consolidations maintained for the rest
of their service days. The D&RG re-organized as the Denver
and Rio Grande Western in 1921, and in 1924 many locomotives
were re-numbered in a motive power reclassification effort
of the railroad. At this time, these ten remaining Class 70
engines became numbers 340-349 and were given a new
designation of Class C-19.
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Ordering Info |
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As these are a future product,
quite expensive and subject to currency variations we will be
applying the same rules to reservations as we do to the MMI loco's. Full
details are one the T&C's link below but briefly we charge a £50 deposit
with the balance due when we are billed by Blackstone.
The final price is an estimate using todays
exchange rates. The rates at the time will set the price at delivery. We
always try to do a good deal for those with reservations but our crystal
ball is only so good
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Blackstone Models D&RGW
C19 - No. 343 |
Locomotive No. 343
started life on the Denver & Rio Grande Railway
as Class 70 road number 403 and carrying the
name "Roaring Forks" which was soon changed to
"New Mexico”. The 403 went to work alongside the
cadre of Class 56 and 60 consolidations pulling
the late 19th century ladings over Marshall Pass
and the Gunnison Extension. Through many years
of service, the 403 underwent typical
conversions with the addition of automatic
couplers, an electric headlight, boiler
replacement, as well as numerous cosmetic
changes ranging from cabs to smokestacks. Engine
403 was re-numbered 343 in 1924 during the D&RGW
power re-classification and was then given the
C-19 designation. The locomotive and two of its
sister class C-19s were leased to the Colorado
and Southern narrow gauge line during the lean
depression years between 1936 and 1937 to assist
the ailing railroad in its motive power deficit.
No. 343 remained in its D&RGW livery and paint
throughout this time period with the only change
being the addition of the well-known C&S style
Ridgway Spark Arrestor. The 343 rolled through
C&S country to Leadville wearing its D&RGW Royal
Gorge Route herald scheme until April of 1937.
As the end of operations was rapidly approaching
for the C&S, the C-19s were returned to the
D&RGW by flatcar to Alamosa. After 60 years of
service, the 343 ultimately met the scrappers
torch in the spring of 1941.
Blackstone Models version of D&RGW 343 is
presented as it appeared in the 1930s with its
D&RGW Royal Gorge Route herald paint scheme. And
C&S fans take note…with your addition of a
Ridgway style spark arrestor the 343 will be
ready to roll down your Colorado and Southern
pike en-route to Leadville!
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343 on the Colorado and
Southern Railway July 1936.
Photo by Richard Kindig
The Blackstone Model will not include the Ridgeway Spark
Arrestor |
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Description |
Estimated Price |
Reserve |
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B310200, no
sound, DC operation only |
£297 |
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B310200-S,
with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC |
£373 |
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B310200W,
weathered, no sound, DC operation only |
£332 |
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B310200W-S,
weathered, with optional Tsunami sound system
for DC/DCC |
£405 |
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Features:
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Fluted style sand and steam dome
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Pyle visor headlight Steel sheathed
cab sides
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Two 9 ½ -inch single stage compressors
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Road style pilot
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Flared side tender
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Box style tender back up light
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Royal Gorge Route Herald
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Prototype specific running board arrangement
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Blackstone Models D&RGW
C19 - No. 345 |
 Arriving
from Baldwin as D&RG No. 401 and originally
named "Grand River", this diminutive teakettle
certainly led one of the more interesting lives
of the Class 70/C-19 locomotives. Famed early
Colorado photographer William Henry Jackson
first recorded the 401 working near Marshall
Pass in 1882. Seven short years later, the Grand
River would be converted to standard gauge and
re-classified as Class 74 No.803. When the year
1900 arrived, the 803 was needed back on narrow
gauge rails and was once again re-built, this
time as D&RG class 74 road number 405. After
years of continued service, the 405 was
re-numbered 345 in 1924 and designated as class
C-19. Along with sister locomotives 343 and 346,
it was leased to the struggling South Park
Division of the Colorado & Southern Railway from
1936-1937. While working out of Denver to the
fabled South Park region, the 345 chugged its
way through the Platte Canyon and over Kenosha
Pass en-route to Como and Leadville. In April of
1937, the C&S terminated its lease of the D&RGW
2-8-0s and the 345 headed back home to Alamosa
with the two other C-19s. After returning to the
D&RGW, the 345 often worked out of Montrose and
over Cerro Summit throughout the war years and
was eventually sent down to Durango, Colorado.
Engine 315 had been assisting the 453 in the
daily switching duties for Durango. On October
13, 1949, the 315 did a “double shift” of
Durango switching, and that evening the old F&CC
consolidation unceremoniously ended its many
decades of service. That same day, the old 345
was being hauled dead-in-consist from Mears Jct.
to Alamosa after a trip over Marshall Pass from
Gunnison. Arriving in Durango a few days later,
she was readied for switcher service and on
Saturday November 12th, the 345 went to work on
the 7:30 AM shift at Durango with engineer House
at the throttle. Over the next year and a half
the 345 and 453 would share the daily duties of
turning the Silverton Mixed and San Juan
consists as well as switching out the various
Durango industries and customers about town. As
the 345’s role as a Durango switcher declined in
the spring of 1951, a final twist of fate for
her checkered career loomed ahead. In 1951,
Hollywood producer Nat Holt brought a tinsel
town entourage to Durango to film a somewhat
fictitious account of the D&RG’s Royal Gorge
"war" with the AT&SF backed Canyon City and San
Juan Railway. In the cinema's grande finale, two
consolidations destined for the scrap heap were
used to stage a head-on collision on the
Silverton Branch. The 345 was chosen to be a
stand in for C-16 268 in this much anticipated
"spectacular" crash staged on July 17th. With a
splash of bright yellow paint, black pin
striping, and the number “268” added to her cab
sides, the old Grand River's throttle was
finally opened wide for the last time as she
raced head on toward D&RGW #319 near MP 475. The
fiery result was captured on celluloid and the
movie Denver & Rio Grande remains a western cult
classic to this day.
Blackstone Models is happy to announce the 345
in its Flying Grande paint scheme of the 1940s
and early 50s. Unique to this version is the
addition of switcher style footboards just as
she appeared as the Durango Switcher. For those
wishing to model the 345 with the road pilot
style as used throughout the 1940s, we happily
offer this as a separate part to be applied as
you wish!
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Description |
Estimated Price |
Reserve |
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B310201, no
sound, DC operation only |
£297 |
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B310201-S,
with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC |
£373 |
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B310201W,
weathered, no sound, DC operation only |
£332 |
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B310201W-S,
weathered, with optional Tsunami sound system
for DC/DCC |
£405 |
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Features:
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Durango switcher footboards
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Fluted style sand and steam dome
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Pyle visor headlight
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Wood panel cab sides
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Two 11 inch inch single stage compressors
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Flared side tender
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Switcher style pilot footboard
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Switcher style tender footboard
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Prototype specific running board arrangement
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Flying Grande Herald
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Blackstone Models D&RGW
C19 - No. 346 |
 Narrow
Gauge enthusiasts could argue that the 346 is
among the most well known of the C-19 class
locomotives. July of 1881 saw the arrival of
Class 70 No. 406 and she was quickly assigned to
the steep grades of Marshall Pass and all along
the Gunnison Extension (Third Division) with the
other Class 70 arrivals. The year 1903 saw the
406 heading south toward the San Juan Extension
to Chama and the 4% grades of Cumbres Pass. The
406 also spent a little stint as the Durango
switch engine. For the next 15 years 406 would
be assigned sporadically all over the narrow
gauge mainline (spending much time in Montrose)
as well as being leased to the Rio Grande
Southern on many occasions. The 406 was
re-numbered 346 in July of 1924, and continued
to serve the Colorado western slope narrow gauge
country. Early in 1936, engine 346 was loaded
onto a standard gauge flatcar and shipped out of
narrow gauge country destined for the Colorado
and Southern Railway in Denver along with
sisters 343 and 345. Following a little
modification with the addition of the C&S
Ridgway cinder catcher, the 346 went to work
between Denver and Leadville. The three leased
C-19s were not particularly popular with C&S
crews due to their propensity to derail. This
problem was generally attributed to the
non-flanged No. 2 and 3 drivers on the worn
track conditions of the C&S narrow gauge line.
Problems aside, the 2-8-0s were used extensively
during their South Park tenure. Things went
relatively smoothly for the 346 until July 25,
1936. On this day, the 346 was working as a
helper out of Como on an eastbound freight.
After cutting off from the rest of the train at
the top of Kenosha Pass, the 346 headed east
running light toward Denver. The engineer
quickly lost control of the consolidation and
the 346 overturned on a curve barely a mile
below the summit. The engine suffered
significant cosmetic damage, but even worse was
the loss of the engineer that fateful day. After
repairs in the Burlington/C&S Denver shops, 346
returned to the C&S rails sporting a new steel
cab and a relatively odd looking steam dome
cover and sand dome, as well as various other
parts to replace those destroyed on Kenosha. No.
346 continued to serve the C&S until April of
1937, at which time she was again loaded up on a
flatcar to head back home along with the 343 and
345. By 1941, the 346 wound up back in Durango
and took on duties ranging from switch engine
and occasional power for the Silverton branch,
to sporadic forays on the Rio Grande Southern
rails. After being purchased by the Montezuma
Lumber Company in the spring of 1947, the worn
engine faithfully eked out another year of
service hauling lumber on a five-mile stretch
between McPhee and Dolores, Colorado. A fire
that destroyed the McPhee sawmill in early 1948
signalled the end of 346’s active career on the
narrow gauge. After being stored with no future
on a spur track in Dolores for nearly two years,
the engine was rescued from the scrapper's torch
by Robert W. Richardson. Thanks to Mr.
Richardson and the efforts of many subsequent
volunteers at the Colorado Railroad Museum, old
346 proudly steams today in Golden, Colorado
much to the delight of the visiting throngs of
railroad enthusiasts each year.
Blackstone Models is proud to announce the D&RGW
346 as it appeared in the 1930s. Whether you are
modelling D&RGW or C&S South Park line, this
Royal Gorge Route herald version of the 346 will
fit right in with your roster!
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Description |
Estimated Price |
Reserve |
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B310202, no
sound, DC operation only |
£297 |
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B310202-S,
with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC |
£373 |
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B310202W,
weathered, no sound, DC operation only |
£332 |
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B310202W-S,
weathered, with optional Tsunami sound system
for DC/DCC |
£405 |
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Features:
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Fluted sand and steam dome
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Prototypical Pyle headlight
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Wood panel style cab sides
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Two 9 ½ - inch single stage compressors
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Road style pilot
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Prototypical running board arrangement
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Royal Gorge Route Herald
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Blackstone Models D&RGW
C19 - No. 347 |
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While D&RGW C-19 347
may be a lesser-known road number in our
new consolidation offerings, its unique
detailing may ultimately prove to make
it one of the most popular! Born in 1881
and christened as road number 407 ("Old
Rube"), this 2-8-0 went to work
alongside the rest of her class out of
Salida and over Marshall Pass. After the
arrival of the 2-8-2 "Mudhens", the 407
was no doubt relegated more often to the
mainline from Gunnison west to the Black
Canyon and the branch lines along with
many other consolidations.
The 407 was re-numbered to 347 in
1924. We are proud to offer the 347 in
the Royal Gorge herald of the 1920’s and
30's in both the green boiler with
aluminium bronze lettering (sharp!) as
well as the classic black boiler with
white lettering. With its box headlight,
one-of a-kind steam dome rings (fluted
top with round bottom), earlier large
dynamo, and separately applied pilot
toolbox, the 347 will be an attractive
addition to your fleet of hardworking
2-8-0s!
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Description 347 - GREEN BOILER |
Estimated Price |
Reserve |
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B310203, no
sound, DC operation only |
£297 |
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B310203-S,
with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC |
£373 |
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B310203W,
weathered, no sound, DC operation only |
£332 |
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B310203W-S,
weathered, with optional Tsunami sound system
for DC/DCC |
£405 |
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Description 347 BLACK BOILER |
Estimated Price |
Reserve |
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B310204, no
sound, DC operation only |
£297 |
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B310204-S,
with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC |
£373 |
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B310204W,
weathered, no sound, DC operation only |
£332 |
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B310204W-S,
weathered, with optional Tsunami sound system
for DC/DCC |
£405 |
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Features:
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Fluted sand dome, unique "semi-fluted steam
dome
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Box style electric headlight
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Early style dynamo
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Two 9 ½ - inch single stage compressors
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Road style pilot
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Prototypical running board arrangement
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Available with green boiler and aluminium
bronze lettering or black boiler and white
lettering
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Royal Gorge Route Herald
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Blackstone Models RGS
C19 - No. 40 |
 No
offering of the fabled C-Class locomotives would
be complete without a noteworthy representative
for the Rio Grande Southern Railroad! The RGS
purchased many consolidations from the D&RG
during its formative years and the vast majority
of these were from the class 56 and Class 60
stables. While virtually all of the C-19
locomotives saw frequent service over the
Southern, RGS 40 is one of only two of the 1881
Class 70 fleet that officially ended up on the
RGS roster. The "Quartz Creek" arrived as road
number 411 on one summer day in 1881. After
seven years of service on the Gunnison
Extension, the 411 was rebuilt into Class 74
standard gauge engine No. 802. Following 10
years of dutiful service on the broad gauge, the
802 returned to the narrow rails in 1898 rebuilt
as class 74 D&RG No.402. The Rio Grande Southern
purchased the 402 in the fall of 1916 (along
with two other C-class engines) at which time it
was renumbered 40. Through the years, the RGS 40
carried its own unique look with a mismatch of
dome styles and a box headlight. Its appearance
was largely unchanged until fate finally caught
up with her in August of 1943. On this day, No.
40 was working up Cima Summit (outside of
Hesperus, Colorado) while coupled with RGS ten
wheeler No.20. The 40 derailed a driver on a
curve and turned on her left side while taking
helper No.20 over the ballast with her.
Consequently, both engines suffered considerable
damage. While No.20 was repaired and eventually
returned to the RGS rails, number 40 was deemed
unworthy of repair and thus took her turn to the
scrapper’s torch.
We proudly
offer the RGS 40 as photographed on the Rio
Grande Southern between Durango and Ridgway
Colorado throughout the late 1930s and early
1940s. This treasured little consolidation comes
complete with the right side main reservoir air
tank, single air compressor, box headlight, and
of course those mis-matched domes!
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Description |
Estimated Price |
Reserve |
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B310205, no
sound, DC operation only |
£297 |
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B310205-S,
with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC |
£373 |
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B310205W,
weathered, no sound, DC operation only |
£332 |
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B310205W-S,
weathered, with optional Tsunami sound system
for DC/DCC |
£405 |
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Features:
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Fluted sand dome and round style steam dome
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Unique box style headlight
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Steel sheathed cab sides
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One 11- inch single stage compressor
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Road style pilot
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Prototypical running board arrangement
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Number “40” on side of tender style livery
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Blackstone Models
C19 - Painted Unlettered |
We are
exceptionally excited to announce the production
of two special painted and unlettered versions
of the Class 70/C-19 locomotive. We often
receive requests for a more "generic" 2-8-0 that
will find a home on any HOn3 layout . Well,
happy days are here! The Class C-19 locomotives
are of a design that was classic of the era and
very similar to narrow gauge consolidation
locomotives built for many other pikes
throughout the late 1800s. You may choose to
letter yours with a unique road name, make
another D&RG(W) road number out of it, or even
do a little “kit bashing” for your own special
version! For example, the C-19s are very similar
to Silverton Northern engines 3 and 4, and with
a little detail work you are ready to go! Many
other possibilities exist, so regardless of your
road name preferences we think you will be
pleased with the unique details each version has
to offer. Our Early Version details are
reminiscent of details found on locomotives of
the late 1910s and thru the 1930s, while our
Later Version best represents typical locomotive
details of the 1930s through the early 1950s.
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Early Version
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Description |
Estimated Price |
Reserve |
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B310206, no
sound, DC operation only |
£297 |
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B310206-S,
with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC |
£373 |
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Features:
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Fluted sand and steam domes
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Box style electric headlight
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Wood paneled style cab sides
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Two 9 ½ - inch air compressors
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Road style pilot
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Earlier style dynamo
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Green boiler paint scheme with graphite
smokebox
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Late Version
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Description |
Estimated Price |
Reserve |
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B310207, no
sound, DC operation only |
£297 |
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B310207-S,
with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC |
£373 |
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Features:
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Round sand and steam domes
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Pyle National style headlight
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Steel sheathed style cab sides
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Two 11-inch single stage air compressors
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Road Style Pilot
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Later style Pyle dynamo
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Black boiler paint scheme with graphite
smokebox
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Blackstone Models D&RGW
C19 - Special Edition Bumblebee Paint |
As the 345’s role
as a Durango switcher declined in the spring of
1951, a final twist of fate for her checkered
career loomed ahead. In 1951, Hollywood producer
Nat Holt brought a tinsel town entourage to
Durango to film a somewhat fictitious account of
the D&RG’s Royal Gorge "war" with the AT&SF
backed Canyon City and San Juan Railway. In the
cinema's grand finale, two consolidations
destined for the scrap heap were used to stage a
head-on collision on the Silverton Branch. The
345 was chosen to be a stand in for C-16 268 in
this much anticipated "spectacular" crash staged
on July 17th. With a splash of bright yellow
paint, black pin striping, and the number “268”
added to her cab sides, the old Grand River's
throttle was finally opened wide for the last
time as she raced head on toward D&RGW #319 near
MP 475. The fiery result was captured on
celluloid and the movie Denver & Rio Grande
remains a western cult classic to this day.
We just had to have a little fun with some
bright colour, and the 345 gave us just the
excuse to do it! We have re-created the
“Bumblebee” yellow paint scheme and herald as
depicted from the movie Denver & Rio Grande.
Note that we decided not to go “too far”, and
chose not to add the phony diamond stack, wood
cow-catcher and incorrect road number of 268 –
thus, our Special Edition 345 will be the
Blackstone Models interpretation of the classic
movie star and “stunt” engine! We hope you will
enjoy it.
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Description |
Estimated Price |
Reserve |
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B310208, no
sound, DC operation only |
£297 |
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B310208-S,
with optional Tsunami sound system for DC/DCC |
£373 |
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Features:
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Fluted sand and steam domes
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Box style electric headlight
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Wood paneled style cab sides
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Two 9 ½ - inch air compressors
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Road style pilot
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Earlier style dynamo
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Green boiler paint scheme with graphite
smokebox
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