D&RGW K-36

Denver & Rio Grande Western K-36 class
K-36 #488 on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Power type	Steam
References:[1]
Builder	Baldwin Locomotive Works
Build date	1925
Configuration	2-8-2
UIC classification	1′D1′ h
Gauge	3 ft  (914 mm)
Driver diameter	44 in (1,118 mm)
Locomotive weight	187,100 lb (84.9 t)
Fuel type	Coal
Boiler pressure	195 lbf/in² (1.34 MPa)
Cylinders	Two
Cylinder size	20 × 24 in (508 × 610 mm)
Valve gear	Walschaerts
Tractive effort	36,200 lbf (161.03 kN)
Locomotive brakes	Air
Train brakes	Air
Career	DRGW, D&SNG, C&TS
Number in class	10
Number	480–489
Locale	Colorado and New Mexico
Disposition	Nine preserved and operational #485 scrapped

The Denver and Rio Grande Western K-36 class are ten 3 ft  (914 mm) narrow gauge, Mikado type, 2-8-2 steam locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (DRGW) by Baldwin Locomotive Works. They were shipped to the Rio Grande in 1925, and were first used along the Monarch Branch and Marshall Pass, but were later sent to the Third Division out of Alamosa. Of the original ten, four are owned by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) and five by the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS). Number 485 fell into the turntable pit at Salida and was scrapped in Pueblo in 1955, with many parts being saved.

In Service

The K-36s were used primarily as freight locomotives out of Alamosa to Durango, and to Farmington, New Mexico, as well as out of Salida to Gunnison (over Marshall Pass) until 1955 and to Monarch on the Monarch Branch until 1956. They were built with special valves to allow brake control between locomotives while double-heading, and were commonly found between Alamosa and Chama, New Mexico. They were heavily used during the pipe boom in Farmington, and hauled long freight trains between Alamosa and Farmington.

Roster^[2][3]

Number	Photo	Builder's Number	Current Owner	Notes
480		58558	D&SNG	Retired 1970 to D&SNG 3/1981
481		58559	D&SNG	To D&SNG 3/1981 First K-36 run to Silverton
482		58541	D&SNG	Retired 1962 to C&TS 1970 to D&SNG 1991
483		58584	C&TS	To C&TS 1970
484		58585	C&TS	To C&TS 1970
485		58586		Dismantled 1/24/1955
486		58587	D&SNG	Retired 1962 to Royal Gorge for display, 12/1967 to D&SNG, 1999
487		58588	C&TS	To C&TS 1970
488		58589	C&TS	To C&TS 1970
489		58590	C&TS	Retired 1962 to C&TS 1970

References

1. ^ "Denver & Rio Grande Western Mikados". Steam Locomotive dot com. http://www.steamlocomotive.com/mikado/drgw.shtml. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
2. ^ "Denver & Rio Grande Western Roster". Rio Grande Modeling & Historical Society. http://www.drgw.org/data/steam/roster/drgw04.htm. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
3. ^ "Durango & Silverton Steam". DRGW.net. http://www.drgw.net/info/index.php?n=Main.DSNGRoster. Retrieved 12 February 2010.