D&RGW XM #63303, 63325 and 63396

: DRGW 63325
: DRGW 63325
: DRGW 63325

These D&RGW boxcars are found apart at Monte Vista and near Del Norte.

#63303 is found at Monte Vista next to the SLRG track on North Broadway St. We can see the back of "Precision Design" recessed panels next to the door.

#63325 is found at Monte Vista on SLRG siding. It still keeps the wood-lined interior and numbers printed on every door and lintel.

#63396 is found 6 miles west of Del Norte, next to Hanna siding on the north side of US Hwy 160. More reliable photo of this particular car with number “396” visible is found at Trainboard site[1].

According to Rio Grande Morning Sun Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment (MSCG), these cars, built in 1966 by American Car & Foundry, were the last new freight equipment to wear the flying logo.


D&RGW 63300 – 63499 series Boxcars:
The Official Railway Equipment Register for July 1974 shows the group with 194 cars of possible 200 cars in place, described as follows:

The D&RGW series 63300 to 63499 is shown with AAR Designation XM and description “Box, Stl., Wood Lined, Cush. Underfr., 50000 lb Nailable Stl. Flr., Roller Bearings”.

The inside length of these cars is 50 feet 6 inches, inside width 9 feet 4 inches, inside height 10 feet 6 inches, outside length 55 feet 2 inches, extreme height 15 feet 1 inch and capacity 4941 cubic feet or 145,000 pounds.


#63*** from this series found in Utah is shown here. And my N scale model of #63341 from this series is shown here.

All photos are taken on Sep. 6, 2017

[1] 2013 photo of #63396 at Trainboard site;

: DRGW 63303
: DRGW 63303
: DRGW 63396
　
　 　
これらRio Grandeオリジナルの番号を保つ貨車は、コロラド州Del Norte近郊およびMonte Vistaの町中で見つけた。1966年American Car & Foundry製、D&RGW 63300 – 63499 series XMの内の３両である。

この系列の貨車は、D&RGWのflying Rio Grandeロゴを纏い登場した最後の車両である。扉脇のパネルに、扉擦過による損傷を防ぐため、プレス加工されたものを採用しているのが特徴。Precision Design recessed panelという商品名らしい。扉内側や上框にもナンバーが表記されている。扉のみ交換した車の写真をたまに見るが、その際にはナンバーも書き換えるのだろうか。

筆者が以前ユタ州で見つけた同系列車はここで紹介、それをプロトタイプに制作した模型をここで紹介している。