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A Rio Grande K-37 Steams Again! ...and it's not where you'd think

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  • Member since
    September 2011
  • 6,406 posts
Posted by MidlandMike on Friday, October 3, 2014 6:48 PM

The D&S K-37 (497) went to C&TS and was operated until about a dozen years ago.

http://www.cumbrestoltec.org/php/assets/rollingStock.php?assetId=223

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Colorado Springs CO
  • 87 posts
Posted by Thechief66 on Monday, September 29, 2014 9:56 PM
It'd be nice to see operating on home rails again...D&SNG tried K-37's on the Silverton branch and found them too big for the Animas canyon curves. That would leave the C&TS. But, it's a long haul from Golden to Antonito....
  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Toronto, Canada
  • 2,553 posts
Posted by 54light15 on Sunday, September 28, 2014 10:10 AM

Yes, very nice. I couldn't imagine ever getting tired of hearing that whistle. Or all it's other sweet music.

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Sunday, September 28, 2014 9:33 AM

Nice little video!  What a job they did on that engine too!  LOVE the sound of the whistle! 

Thanks so much for posting!

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Colorado
  • 52 posts
A Rio Grande K-37 Steams Again! ...and it's not where you'd think
Posted by Colorado Railroads on Saturday, September 27, 2014 7:06 PM

The big news in Colorado this late summer, early fall is that a narrow-gauge K-37 Mikado of the Denver & Rio Grande Western is living steam and breathing fire. What you wouldn't expect is where it is running. It's not the C&TS 497, nor is it 494 or 495, the nearly stripped-to-the-drivers sisters parked in Antonito. It's D&RGW 491, and yes, it's already made more than a few laps on the narrow gauge loop at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. I shared this video on Colorado Railroads.

watch?v=dZvg9LEDvu8

I have a more pictures, as well as more links. Did you know that only 491 had thermic siphons installed in her firebox? I guess they were looking to see if it would be worth the extra work but someone decided not to? Strange decision, considering the frugal days of Rio Grande in the 20s!

After History Colorado transferred the deed of the engine to the museum, the staff and volunteers at the roundhouse were able to complete the restoration in a year's time. Trains has other details in their Preservation section (p 70) in the November 2014 issue.

I am excited to go see her in action! Who knows? Maybe she'll make a few trips?

Steve Walden
EditorColorado Railroads 

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