Posted by Gary in CO [64.234.252.216] on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 12:21:21 :
In Reply to: Yeah, ok it's not a Power-Wagon--OT posted by Todd Somers [66.226.52.107] on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 21:54:00 :
In Colorado we have the Galloping Goose (Geese). Photo is Goose 2 and 5. Dodge made a '65 W500 to act as a switch engine. It could haul five loaded boxcars each weighing 50 tons. Poly 318.
Gar
The first was built in 1931 from the body of a Buick "Master Six" four-door sedan. It was more conventional in its construction than the later geese, though it had a two-axle truck in place of the front axle. Part of the rear of the car was replaced by a truck stake-bed for carrying freight and mail; this was later enclosed and partially fitted with seating. It was used for two years to carry passengers, US Mail, and light freight before being scrapped. A second "goose" was built in the same year from another Buick, but later versions used Pierce-Arrow bodies
Geese #2, #6, and #7 are preserved at the Colorado Railroad Museum and are operational.
Goose #3 was sold to Knott's Berry Farm and is operated regularly during off-season periods when park attendance is low.
Goose #4 was on static display in Telluride, Colorado. It was restored to operation in Ridgway, Colorado, as of June 2012. With the restoration of Goose #4, all of the Geese are now operable. [2] Goose #4 is moved back to Telluride on May 2013.
Goose #5 was bought by the city of Dolores, Colorado. After restoration in 1998 it is now operated from time to time on the Cumbres and Toltec and Durango and Silverton tourist railroads, as well as at the Colorado Railroad Museum.