Welcome to the Dolores Railroad Museum, home of the Galloping Goose Historical Society, where history chugs along the tracks of time in southwestern Colorado. Nestled in the town of Dolores, this museum is a tribute to the ingenuity and resilience of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad and its unique fleet of ‘Galloping Geese.’
The story begins in the early 1890s, when Otto Mears, known as the ‘Pathfinder of the San Juans,’ embarked on an ambitious project to build a railroad stretching over 160 miles from Ridgway to Durango. This railroad was a lifeline for the remote mining towns of Telluride, Rico, and Dolores, transporting valuable silver and gold ore. However, the prosperity was short-lived. The Silver Panic of 1893 dealt a heavy blow, as silver prices plummeted and mines closed, thrusting the railroad into financial turmoil.
Despite these setbacks, the railroad persevered, adapting to the changing economic landscape. By 1931, faced with the Great Depression, the Rio Grande Southern Railroad needed an economical solution to continue serving its dwindling passenger base and fulfill its postal obligations. Enter the Galloping Goose, an innovative railbus with a distinctive honk reminiscent of its avian namesake. Built from the chassis of luxury automobiles like the Pierce-Arrow, these quirky vehicles became the backbone of the railroad’s operations.
Notable among these was Motor No. 5, which entered service in 1933. It was a marvel of resourcefulness, combining a 1928 Pierce-Arrow limousine body with a GMC truck engine. By 1950, it was modified to accommodate more passengers, transitioning from freight to sightseeing tours. The Galloping Geese served the region faithfully until 1952, when the railroad ceased operations.
The Dolores Railroad Museum today stands as a testament to this era of innovation and perseverance. Visitors can explore the meticulously restored Galloping Goose No. 5 and delve into the rich history of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. The museum also highlights the broader historical context of the San Juan Mountains, a region once bustling with mining activity and now celebrated for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
As you walk through the museum, imagine the Geese waddling along the rugged tracks, their horns echoing through the mountains, carrying passengers and mail through blizzards atop Lizard Head Pass. The Galloping Goose Historical Society, founded in 1987 by dedicated railroad enthusiasts, continues to preserve and share this unique chapter of rail history, ensuring that the legacy of the Geese endures.
