In 1964, the D&RGW crews in Durango, Colorado were in full swing revamping the image of the Silverton Branch. A failed attempt to abandon the branch line prompted the railroad's newfound commitment to more properly exploit the growing tourist trade. New steel coaches arrived in 1963 and 1964 to accommodate a second train on the daily runs to Silverton, Colorado. The railroad also purchased property around the depot to attract new businesses that would cater to the visiting throngs of tourists and rail buffs throughout the summer. Rio Grande Land was born!
Baggage car 126 and Combine 212 had previously been used to haul general supplies for the Silverton trains. Now they were outfitted with concession equipment for the growing passenger business. It was therefore decided to utilize freight Boxcar nos. 3219 and 3468 to handle the baggage needs. To keep these cars looking comparable with the decade-old "Grande Gold" paint scheme, they were decorated in the bright livery to compliment the passenger car fleet on the daily summer runs to Silverton. We have accurately recreated economy door boxcar no. 3219's gold paint scheme with the Flying Grande herald for you - it will make a great companion to the previously-released 3468 boxcar! This is the only numbered car of this production run to only be available in a non-weathered version.
