| The D&RGW classified their steam locomotives by wheel arrangement and tractive effort. The K in the classification indicates a 2-8-2 Mikado, and the 37 indicates 37000 pounds tractive effort. All these locomotives were built by Baldwin as C-19 class standard gauge locomotives. The D&RGW later converted them to 3' gauge outside frame locomotives in Denver. While many of the K-36 class Mikados are still in operation, the K-37 class has not faired so well. Someone working in the Chama shops told me the K-37 is more rigid than the K-36 and does not handle tight curves as well. He said that the D&SNGRR had traded their last operational K-37 to the C&TSRR because the curves were worse on the D&SNGRR. Having traveled over both lines, I'm not sure I believe that! | |
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491 is on display at Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. |
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493 sits near the freight house at Silverton, CO. |
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494 is on display at the Cumbres & Toltec station in Antonito, CO. |
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The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad runs D&RGW 497 between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico. These pictures were taken in the summer of 2001. |
Copyright 2004 Donald Nute
This page last modified: 9/19/2004.
Please send comments to: donald@nute.ws