Ridgway in Ouray County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
DRG(W) 5574
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025
1. DRG(W) 5574 Marker
This car was built in 1904 by American Car and Foundry in St. Louis, MO for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. It was one of 350 such cars built. It was built to haul cattle (16) or sheep (40 with double deck) shippers actually loaded much more than this! It served on the narrow gauge lines of the DRG and Rio Grande Southern and was used in the Ridgway area until 1953. It received Safety Appliance updates in February 1914 and was rebuilt at Alamosa in April 1926. At that time it was repainted black from the original reddish brown, was re-stenciled, had new roof beams, roof, and body bolsters applied. It was retired under AFE 7575 in December 1970 account 'lost'. It was later found in the Alamosa yards and sold to a scrap dealer who was dismantling this type of car for scrap iron. It was saved from the torch by Wayne Kinzie of Alva, OK. In the summer of 1999 it was purchased by the Ridgway Railroad Museum (our first display item) and moved back to Ridgway where we started its restoration. Roof beams were repaired, it was painted and stenciled properly, and the 'A' end sill was replaced.
Specifications:
Capacity 25 tons
Length30 ft
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Gauge 36 inches
Wheel size 26 inches
Journal size (axle) 4 x 7 inches
Original cost $689.99
Erected by Ridgway Railroad Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 38° 9.149′ N, 107° 45.242′ W. Marker is in Ridgway, Colorado, in Ouray County. It can be reached from North Railroad Street just north of Sherman Street (State Highway 62), on the right when traveling north. The marker and restored stock car are on the Ridgway Railroad Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 North Railroad Street, Ridgway CO 81432, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: RGS Coach 252 Restoration (a few steps from this marker); D&RG(W) Caboose 91 (0575) (within
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025
2. Denver & Rio Grande Western Stock Car No. 5574
The marker is mounted at eye level directly on the stock car.
Also see . . . Denver & Rio Grande Western Stock Car No. 5574 (Ridgeway Railroad Museum).
Excerpt: Stock Car No. 5574 was built by American Car and Foundry in St. Louis in 1904 and subsequently rebuilt by the D&RGW in Alamosa in 1926. It was written off as lost by the D&RGW in 1970 and later sold to Mr. Kinzie. When located in Oklahoma and purchased by the Ridgway Railroad Museum, the car only needed paint and stenciling. It was otherwise complete.(Submitted on March 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
