Sipping coffee and talking with Teresa, owner of The Pony Expresso, we were asked what brought us to Dolores, CO. Laurie answered we wanted to see the Galloping Goose and Teresa started laughing saying not many people come for that reason. Maybe not but we thought the Galloping Goose was unique and deserved a visit.
The Galloping Geese Fleet of seven was owned by the Rio Grande Southern Railroad (Southern) and used for passenger service and delivering mail and freight from 1931-1952. The Southern served the remote and isolated regions of far southwest Colorado, one of those towns being Dolores.
The No. 5 was built with a 1928 Pierce-Arrow limousine body and running gear at a cost of $2,599.00. After WWII it was rebuilt using a GMC gasoline truck engine and a Wayne Corp. school bus body. The goose could hold 20 passengers as well as freight and mail. Traveling through the countryside, it was said the horn sounded like the call of a goose and it waddled down the tracks.
Southern abandoned the rails in 1952 and Galloping Goose No. 5 was purchased by the Dolores Rotary Club for $250.00. Today No. 5 is managed by The Galloping Goose Historical Society of Dolores. Not only do they maintain No. 5, but they have also built a replica of the original Southern Dolores depot.
In 2013, No. 5 will be operating on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad for the July 4th week events and the Fall Colors Special, September 25-30, 2013. In addition No. 5 will run during the True West Railfest, August 14-19, 2013, on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
No. 5 is certainly a sight to behold with a front end like a school bus and the back like a train passenger car. Sitting in the passenger section of No. 5 we could only imagine the feel of the rails under us and the sound of the horn.
Ham Operator – send that message
Bus Section
Passenger Car
Definitely unique
Bus or Train
Depot
