RIDGWAY – Ridgway Railroad Museum’s recreation of Rio Grande Southern Motor No. 1 – the progenitor of the famous Galloping Geese – traveled to the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden on May 9 and 10 to take part in Goosefest 2009. This “gathering of the flock” also attracted Goose No. 5 from Dolores.

When joined by the Colorado Railroad Museum’s Motors 2, 6 and 7, this marked the first time in history that these five machines ran on the same track, on the same day.

Ridgway Railroad Museum President and Motorman Karl Schaeffer reported large crowds and fine weather on the Saturday, and good crowds who braved light rain on Sunday. Goosefest attendees could ride the Geese of their choice as often as they wanted, and showed great interest in Motor 1.

Bob Schaeffer, Karl’s father, who said that riding a Goose back in 1950 convinced him to move his family to Montrose, fulfilled his goal of riding in all seven of the world-famous RGS Motors, which were built in Ridgway in the 1930s.

Motor 1 is now back on display at the museum in Ridgway, where it will carry passengers on demonstration runs for school groups as well as on a few special run days throughout the summer. For more information, contact Schaeffer at 626-4373.