Elvas Tower: RGS Wayne Express Geese #3, #4, #5 - Elvas Tower

Rio Grande Southern Wayne Bus Express Geese #3, #4, #5
Revision: A
By Sandy River Tom
03 November 2016

Prototype History:

From the early 1930’s to the late 1940’s, the Rio Grande Southern Railroad survived on
the backs of their fleet of homemade motor cars which came to be known as the “Galloping Geese.”
Expensive full crew passenger trains were initially replaced with one-man operated motor cars
rebuilt from Pierce-Arrow automobiles with freight vans attached at substantial savings in operating
expenses. They allowed the railroad to continue to survive for years.

By 1946, the Pierce-Arrow motor cars were worn-out from wartime service and, instead of rebuilding
the wood-framed Pierce-Arrow bodies, the RGS decided to replace them with Army surplus Wayne Busses
with GMC 6-Cylinder engines. Built for use in Europe, the busses had left and right doors
which was perfect for a railroad where the depot platforms would be on either side of the track.
The Wayne Bus bodies were shortened and mounted on the old Pierce Arrow frame and running gear
The new bodies were all steel, roomier than the Pierce-Arrow carbodies, and accommodated at least
2 more passengers.

The Models:

These models represent RGS Wayne Express Geese #3, #4, and #5 in the years from 1946 to 1949.
Each Bus has working left and right doors, 3D interiors, and inside views.

NOTE: These (3) Geese replace my "Wayne Express Goose #5" model, which was released in 2010.
The new Geese are improved and more-accurate versions of the Wayne Bus and Express Trailer.
If you have the 2010-version of "Wayne Express Goose #5', delete it from your TRAINSET folder,
and replace it in any Consist(s) with the NEW "Express Goose #5" model.

Drawings, photos and prototype information:

- "A Gaggle of Geese", Mallory Hope Ferrell, Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, Benchmark Publications.
- "Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose #5", Mike Conder & Tim Mulina, BHI PUblications, 2003
- "Tin Feathers, Wooden Trestles, and Iron Men", Stan Rhine, Colorado RR Museum, 2012
- Bill Pratt, for the detailed photos of RGS Goose #4.
- Herb Kelsey, for providing numerous period photos & the history of the "Geese".

Acknowledgements:

Herb Kelsey: For reviewing the models for accuracy to prototypes, and Beta-Testing the Bus and Trailer models.
Howard Saunders: For WAG file, realistic operating physics and sounds.


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Sandy River Tom
NOvember 03, 2016