Denver & Rio Grande Western kitchen car number 04255 started life as a boxcar in 1898. It was rebuilt as a kitchen outfit car in 1914 and retired in 1950. It was purchased by the Colorado Railroad Museum in 1994 and restored between 2010 and 2012. Kitchen cars were used to feed Maintenance of Way employees and extra gangs during the summer months. Extra gangs were comprised of 30 to 50 men who repaired rails, ties, and switches along the track but were only hired when extra work was available. Preparing food in a kitchen car was hot work as the car was usually 90 degrees or hotter. The stove was kept roaring not only for cooking and baking but also to heat water for washing. The cupola on the roof served as a vent for the cookstove.