New! Supply Car 03057!

Most of the outfit boxcars used on the Rio Grande narrow gauge throughout the 1900s came from the old 4000 series boxcars of the previous century. Each one was built for a unique purpose, ranging from kitchens, sleepers and diners for the working stiffs to rolling offices for foremen and supervisors.

Only three 3000 series boxcars were converted to work service. Boxcars 3057, 3131 and 3085 were converted to work cars after previously being used in revenue service.

The original boxcar numbers were retained with the simple addition of a "0" at the front to distinguish the reassignment. D&RGW's work equipment roster of January 16, 1956 listed the 03057 as a supply car in Alamosa and unassigned to any regular work service.

Outfit cars were often assigned to particular work manifests, such as rotary trains or wrecking trains, depending on the need at any given time.

They were used to haul supplies to aid the maintenance of way and train crews in the thankless tasks of clearing snow slides or cleaning up the latest derailment on the division it was assigned.

The 03057 would have been typically kept with or near a work consist (often in Alamosa) with full supplies, ready for a call to service at any time.