D&RGW 483 Leads the Trains Magazine Charter out of Chama, NM

[Yard Limit]

August 1968 and Denver and Rio Grande Western locomotives 483 and 484 team up to take the last revenue freight train from Chama New Mexico to Antonito Colorado.  Shortly after that, the line was sold to the states of New Mexico and Colorado and plans were laid to turn the railroad into the tourist line that it is today.
Going back many years, #483 was the favorite K-36 among D&RGW engine crews.
#483 was one of the few K-36's equipped for passenger service.  She often pulled the San Juan Express when a K-28 was not available, and was used on many of the three-day Alamosa-Durango-Silverton excursions in the late fifties and early- to mid-sixties.
#483 was the helper on the last westbound revenue freight on the D&RGW from Alamosa to Chama on 08/28/68, pulled the last revenue freight from Chama to Durango on 08/29/68 and the last D&RGW freight to Farmington on 08/31/68.
After being used briefly for movie work in September, 1968 for which she received the atrocious red and gold "Scarlet Harlot" paint that we recreated for the C&TS' 40th Anniversary in 2010, she pulled the National Park Service Special from Durango to Alamosa in November, 1968 - the last D&RGW passenger move over Cumbres Pass.
#483 assisted #473 in moving #481 and a short train that included cars of flues and other locomotive parts from Alamosa to Chama on December 5, 1968.  #483 (and a caboose?) returned from Chama to Alamosa the next day - the very last D&RGW train over Cumbres Pass.
On September 1, 1970, #483 was turned over to the C&TS by the D&RGW; by evening Ernie Robart had re-lettered her tender from flying Rio Grande to CUMBRES AND TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD (with a 'Toltec Gorge Route' herald) and she had been fired up for service the next day.
During the fall of 1970, #483 was the only engine in service on the C&TS; she pulled several trains of equipment from Antonito to Lava, Big Horn, Sublette, Toltec Siding, Osier, Cumbres and Chama to free up the single track at Antonito so that construction of a rudimentary yard could begin. She also pulled the C&TS first fan trip - The Governors' Special - in early October, 1970.
Along with #484, #483 pulled several of the C&TS first revenue passenger trains in 1971 and 1972, the first C&TS dinner trains in the summer and fall of 1972, and the first photo freight - The Toltec Rattler - on October 22, 1972.  By the mid-1970's #483 was simply worn out; she was set aside by 1977 and has not operated for the past 35 years.
August 25, 2018, fifty years after the last freight over Cumbres Pass, a photo freight special departs Chama with 488 renumbered 483 to honor the occasion. 

[Dr D]

Yard Limit,  thanks for the great post!  It is a verifiable fact that for some reason when machinery is built a few lemons slip through the process and also some really exceptional examples of the builders art are created also.

Railroads for some reason either were oblivious to this fact or well aware of it when they saved certain steam locomotives.  Resulting in surving examples best or the worst preserved steam locomotives. 

I am really glad that Rio Grande #483 was saved in spite of being totally worn out.  When last I visited Chama I watched and chased the train over Cumbries Pass and I really believe it is unappreciated just what a job the crew is required to safely make that transit.  Getting the locomotive to perform and knowing when and how to demand the steam from it - to control the braking - well it was an "art form" to watch the engineer at his task. 

Imagine how we would all feel if we could watch the best and finest example of the NYC "Hudson" 4-6-4 still perform.  The one that all the crews knew was the finest example. 

And the story remains about UP 844 or ATSF 3463 or N&W 611 - and of course the loss to the torch of the best of the Pennsy 4-4-4-4 Duplex engines.  And also the task of trying to recreate one - will it come out the way it should - or be the most sour lemon!

Dr. D

[Yard Limit]

Thank you.  Actually 488 was repainted to represent 483 for this photo special, but someday it will be born again.  The same with 2926 which will probably move under it's own power later this year.