In March of 1963, South Park City had been opened for four seasons and continued to grow with additional buildings and artifacts. But one major piece of history was missing: a narrow gauge steam engine. The railroad played an essential role in the history of South Park, so it was a top priority to find a narrow gauge engine. The narrow-gauge Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad served this area from 1879 until 1890, when it became part of the Denver, Leadville, and Gunnison Railway. Later, it was taken over by the Colorado and Southern Railway Company. During this time, it was popularly known as the "Denver and South Park." The line closed in 1937 after fifty-eight years of service. The tracks were removed the following year.
In 1963, museum founder Leon Snyder purchased 500 feet of rail and four railroad cars. He acquired an ore car, boxcar, cattle car, and a caboose from the Rio Grande Railroad. But not one narrow gauge engine could be found for sale. He checked the Rio Grande; Alamosa, Durango-Silverton Division. He checked every lead he was given. These include places in every part of the United States and as far away as Yucatan, Mexico, and Alaska. No luck! At one time or another, the old engines had been sold for scrap or were displayed in public parks, museums, and at attractions such as Knott's Berry Farm in California.
After a three-year search, an engine was found. In July 1966, a 45,000-lb narrow gauge steam engine was finally obtained by South Park City from the United Fruit Company of Bananera, Guatemala. The engine was built in 1914 with the construction number 5518 and is known as Porter Mogul #6, the same type of engine used on the Denver and South Park Line. The engine was bought for $600.00, and the freight bill came to $5,000.00. A long search had come to a successful end.
