Time Machine: The Return of an As-Built K-36
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- In the winter of 2021-2022, the Cumbres and Toltec did a major rework of one of its 1925 built Baldwin Locomotive Works K-36 that included a new smoke box. While doing this, the decision was made to backdate the engine to it's as built appearance and even some of the mechanical innards. Inside the smokebox, the "Cyclone" spark arrestor has been replaced with a "Master Mechanic Front End" ( for more on the cyclone front ends, check out @Hyce777 's video here : • Why doesn't D&RGW 491 ... . @Hyce777 has also provided photos of the Master Mechanic screen to show you what it looks like, albeit in Rio Grande Southern 20). Outside, the cleanout ports were restored to operation, and the train indicator boards reinstalled. The headlight has lost its visor and the cab regained some windows above the boiler that had long been blanked out by the D&RGW. Meanwhile, the entire locomotive was repainted by some Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad employees that made the trek over to help out. The tender lost its 'doghouse' as it wasn't built with one, and lettering inspired by the original Denver and Rio Grande Western was applied by the Akin Brothers from Texas.
We'll start off with the morning ritual of the engineer oiling around his locomotives as we bask in the sights of the Chama Yard on a beautiful late summer day. From there, we'll watch as the 488 leads its train under Jukes' Tree and across the 'first crossing'. Next, we'll head to 'Lake Lobato' where we'll catch an aerial shot of it disappearing into the aspen tree groves. Climbing up out of Lobato we'll then see it at Dalton with Rabbit Peak in the background. For our next sequence, we'll head to the New Mexico / Colorado State Border where once again we'll take to the skies. Perry's Pond and Coxo Crossing are hit up next with the final arrival up into Cumbres Pass.
In the late summer of 2022, a ghostly apparition of a familiar face could be seen climbing the slopes of Cumbres Pass.
K-36 # 488 took to the rails of this famed crossing of the Rocky Mountains as it had for the last ninety-seven years, but instead of the appearance we’ve seen over the last few years, the original visage of its as-built appearance now took over.
Needing a complete smokebox replacement due to the corrosive effects of being a coal-burning steam locomotive, it was decided in addition to backdate the locomotive as much as possible to her August 1925 appearance when she first took to the rails fresh off the Baldwin factory floor from Eddystone Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia.
The vast majority of the inside of the boiler remained the same, but inside the smoke box, the cyclone front end was removed and replaced with a Master Mechanic front end. This setup involves a mesh that will cause the biggest cinders to fall before even exiting the smokebox. Since the mesh is now inside the smokebox the traditional cap that would normally be seen atop the stack was removed. In addition, the inspection ports that had long ago been welded up on the original were cut in.
The headlight was modified by removing the visor that was not present originally. Below and to each side of the headlight were original style classification lamps to let those trackside know whether or not the train was scheduled, extra, or a section.
Further below, the pilot-mounted flanger was removed
Atop the dynamo, the steam-powered generator that provides the electricity for the lights, a new exhaust stack to mimic the original was placed.
On the cab, the plated-over windows between the front doors were opened back up and new glass installed.
Meanwhile, the tender behind had its doghouse and vertical coal bunker extensions removed. The length horizontally was not shortened but in 2023 a new cistern built by Custom Fabrication in Farmington New Mexico to replace the iteration seen here arrived on the property. This new cistern is built to the dimensions of the Baldwin Factory version.
Across the locomotive, a coat of gloss black was painted, and the fonts all matched the original aluminum that came on the locomotive from Pennsylvania. The tender did not receive the spelled out ‘Denver and Rio Grande Western’ however, and in lieu received ‘Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad’. This was requested by the railroad commission and is one of the only external variances to the factory version.
One of the few changes not made to the 488 was the brake stand as it still has the 6ET instead of the A1 it was originally equipped with.
Join me as we leave the Chama Yard Limit, we're not Delayed in Block as there's no Distant Signal on this railroad, nor do we have to worry about a Coaster as it's not a commuter railroad, nor are there any diesels with V12 engines.
That was nice. I remember that day. Always good to catch trains at the Yard Limit.
Thanks enjoyed the fantastic photography of #488, wonderful job. 👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it
#488 is my favorite steam locomotive! I love her tender that saids “Cumbres and Toltec Scenic R.R.” She looks all shiny and new!
Beautiful video, narration, scenery, proper motion, sound.
Glad you enjoyed it!
DRGW approves of this major historical moment
I bet Hyce does too!
It also had the John Bush era injector overflow linkage removed and replaced with the factory Hancock cab stands to operate the injector overflow. The fireman’s side blowdown linkage was removed and replaced with one to match the as delivered arrangement. I also rebuilt the cowcatcher on this engine with 2/3s of the bottom frame angle iron being replaced, as well as all new 2” tubes riveted in place.
-- HEY AUSTIN, Buenas Dias from CO! Your presence has been "missed" in C&TS environs!..... Hope you are doing well!!
@@ken.mp372 things are good Ken, thanks for the nice words
Wonderful documentary of an historic locomotive and its restoration to the original Baldwin configuration. Kudos to all the dedicated volunteers and C&TSRR employees who made it happen.
I absolutely love all of the references in the description! Great video and love seeing the old girl run
Glad you enjoyed!
Now that I think about it we also spent a good amount of time on the engineers side running board on this engine. In order to make the clean out port accessible and useful the upper running board was trimmed back to where it’s original length was (the Grande riveted on an extension sometime around the cyclone front end era) and reattached. The smokebox running board was significantly lowered to match its appearance in 1925. This now required the relocation of the mechanical lubricator which required some significant modification of the bracket coming off the rear valve head. Moving the lubricator then resulted in modifying the reach rod that cranks the lubricator off of the expansion link.
Buenas Dias, Big Bill!! Thanks for posting the interesting video..... I had no clue that the 488 was ungoing those changes. It is great to see her in "As Built" configuration (the average turista doesn't care....), but we steam fans do! And, like the dirty old steamer I am, I have always had a special fondness for "Hooters!", but that one could use a tad better tune-up, eh? Really appreciate your detailed narration, well done!
-- I was last in C&TS environs in Sept '23..... will likely be there agin in Sept '24.....
-- You still polishing the rails out of ABQ?.....
-- Happened to get a brief glimpse of you recently in someone else's video RE: the steaming of the RGS 41 out of Derange-oh, what fun! Wish the 41 could have steamed at the C&TS, too. ;-)
Stay Safe, as always! -- Ken S.
Yes, still on those rails.
Excellent cinematography and narration! One of the best channels on CZcams!
Glad you think so!
Fantastic video of the Cumbres & Toltec narrow gauge railway. Excellent shots of this railway, as a fan of this narrow gauge railway I love the videos of the railway, the locomotives and the very beautiful scenery. Thanks for showing and best regards from Germany
Glad you enjoyed it
Great documentary and videography!!!
Glad you liked it!
I want the doghouse back.
Then it wouldn’t be correctly styled. The others still have theirs.
Awesome info…my HOn3 model is still accurate for this modern marvel!
Great to hear!
Help I genuinely cant tell by the thumbnail in my recommendations whether I'm going to see a full scale or model railroad >p>
Is it Live or is it Memorex? You just won't know till you watch... Spoiler, it's all full scale!
What's different about the whistle on 488 vs. the other K-36 engines like the 482 at Durango? This one sounds so different and a little weaker.
The one the 488 wore here was a single chime hooter vs the multiple chime whistles the others usually carry.
That single chime sounded hideous. Was it one of 463’s whistles?
I mean, it’s a single chime hooter, I don’t know if it was specifically off of 463.