Background:

The Panoramic Special (trains 7 & 8) was initiated for the summer of 1924 as an all-Pullman train, with a Pullman open-end Observation sleeping car, and drawing room and compartment sleeping cars (i.e. an all-room train, no sections) along with Rio Grande dining cars. This was the first train to stop for ten minutes at the Hanging Bridge in the Royal Gorge for passengers to look at the wonders of nature. The train ended its first summer's work in September of 1924, and continued as an all-Pullman train for 6 more seasons (summer seasons only). This train also saw the rebuilding of the Library Buffet cars and some coaches into the CANON series of open end observation lounge cars for the D&RGW. The Panoramic Special name was retired September, 1927. For the 1928 season, the name became simply the Panoramic. For its 7th season (June 22, 1930), the Panoramic also had coaches for the first time (between Denver & Pueblo). It made its last run on September 6, 1931 a victim of the nationwide economic Depression.

In the Fall, 1934 timetables, the Panoramic name was revived with a new set of numbers (5 & 6) and a new route (via the Moffat Tunnel and the newly opened Dotsero Cutoff) with an air conditioned consist. In 1937, through sleepers were handled from Pueblo to Denver on the Westerner and then on the Panoramic from Denver to Salt Lake City. These through sleepers originated on the MP in Memphis and Kansas City. In 1938, an arrangement that spoke of things to come brought about consolidation of cars from the Scenic Limited between Grand Junction and Salt Lake City.

In 1939, a new train was created, the Exposition Flyer, taking numbers 5 & 6. As a result, the Panoramic was merged with the Mountaineer between Denver and Grand Junction, thus creating trains 19 & 20 the Panoramic - Mountaineer. The Exposition Flyer was originally supposed to last only through the summer of 1939, but it was held over for 1940 - and so was the Exposition Flyer. The train was so successful, that it was retained, making the tracks between Denver and Salt Lake City a bit crowded for Rio Grande Passenger trains - the Scenic Limited, the Exposition Flyer and the Panoramic - Mountaineer all were running between those two cities. As a result, the Mountaineer took it's original place, and the Panoramic ended it's run after September 24, 1939.

Images of the Panoramic:

• Denver and Rio Grande Western locomotive 1527 pulls a "Panoramic Special" passenger train by the South Fork of the Eagle River, in Eagle County, Colorado. Date 1926?
• Men and women pose on the observation platform of the Pullman coach "Glenwood Canyon," part of a Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad "Passenger Special" train at Provo, Utah. People stand to the side. Date [between 1922 and 1930?]

Equipment Notes:

As with any passenger train, modeling the Panoramic is dependent upon the era and season being modeled. The Panoramic was a heavyweight train and at its inception, an all Pullman one. This was the first D&RGW train to see a D&RGW open end observation, new steel diners and all sleeping cars. This train rarely included a head-end portion. By its end, it had coaches and tourist Pullmans.

The early equipment notes simply state "standard compartment drawing room Pullman" More information will be added as it is found.

70' Steel 1910 coaches - Note that there were other cars in the 960 -970; 971 - 975; 976 - 979; 980 - 985 series that were occasionally assigned as well (all 1910 rebuilds)

Note: This page is still under construction and will likely be continually updated as models and more information come forward.