Rio Grande class K-36

Denver & Rio Grande Western K-36 class
K-36 #488 on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Type and origin References: Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Model 12-34 1/4 E Build date 1925 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-2  • UIC 1′D1′ h2 Gauge 3 ft (914 mm) Driver dia. 44 in (1,118 mm) Loco weight 187,100 lb (84.9 t) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 195 lbf/in2 (1.34 MPa) Cylinders Two Cylinder size 20 in × 24 in (508 mm × 610 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Loco brake S-6 (part of 6-ET schedule equipment) Train brakes 6-ET automatic air brakes on all. 480, 481, 482, 486 also have straight air equipment. All delivered with G-6 equipment new.
Performance figures Tractive effort 36,200 lbf (161.03 kN)
Career Operators Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Numbers 480–489 Locale Colorado and New Mexico Retired 1955 (No. 485), 1962-1968 Preserved Four (Nos. 484, 487, 488 and 489) preserved on the C&TS, four (Nos. 480, 481, 482 and 486) preserved on the D&SNG, one (No. 485) scrapped Disposition No. 483 in storage and remainder operational

The Denver and Rio Grande Western K-36 class are ten 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW) 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.

The locomotives are of outside-frame design, with the driving wheels placed between the two chassis frames which support the boiler, but with the cylinders, driving rods, counterweights and valve gear on the outside. This general arrangement is shared with the earlier K-27, K-28 and later K-37 Mikado engines.

The Name

The locomotives' name of K-36 comes from two different sources. The K in the name comes from the locomotives' wheel arrangement (Mikado), and the 36 stands for 36,200 pounds of tractive effort.

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, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. They were heavily used during the pipe boom in Farmington, and hauled long freight trains between Alamosa and Farmington.

In 1937, 3 K-36s, Nos. 482, 483 and 489, were equipped with steam heat and signal lines to haul passenger trains like the Shavano and the San Juan Express. Eventually in 1945, Nos. 484, 485 and 488, were also equipped, too.

As of 2020, 8 of these locomotives still operate regularly. Nos. 484, 487, 488 and 489 are on the C&TS and Nos. 480, 481, 482 and 486 are on the D&SNG, and one (No. 483) is stored out of service at Chama.

Roster

Number	Photo	Builder's Number	Current Owner	Notes
480		58558	D&SNG	Retired in 1970. Went to D&SNG in March 1981. Restored to operating condition in July 1985. Operational.
481		58559	D&SNG	Went to D&SNG in March 1981 and was the first K-36 run to Silverton. Operational.
482		58541	D&SNG	Retired in 1962. Went to C&TS in 1970. Traded to D&SNG in October 1991. Restored to operating condition in May 1992. Operational.
483		58584	C&TS	Retired in 1968. Went to C&TS in 1970. Removed from service in 1977. Almost swapped out with K-28 class #478 in 2015 from the D&SNG. Stored in Chama, NM. 483 also hauled the last scheduled passenger train on the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad on May 29, 1965. It was a fan trip from Alamosa to Durango, Colorado.
484		58585	C&TS	Went to C&TS in 1970. Operational.
485		58586	N/A	Crashed in the turntable pit in Salida. Due to severe injuries, 485 couldn't be saved, and was scrapped on January 24, 1955. Many parts were salvaged and used on other locomotives.
486		58587	D&SNG	Retired in 1962. Went to Royal Gorge Park for display in December 1967. Traded to D&SNG in May 1999. Restored to operating condition in August 2000. Operational.
487		58588	C&TS	Went to C&TS in 1970. Operational.
488		58589	C&TS	Went to C&TS in 1970. Operational.
489		58590	C&TS	Retired in 1962. Went to C&TS in 1970. Operational. K-36 489