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| Outside Frame Narrow Gauge Locomotive - May, 2015 |
In 1903 the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad took delivery of 15 "mikado" type, 2-8-2 wheel arrangement, locomotives designated as the K27 class by the D&RG from the Baldwin Locomotive Works. The 2-8-2 mikado type was a derivation of an 1897 Baldwin design for Nipon Railway in Japan. Because of its balance, power and speed this type endured in general freight service to the end of steam.
The 15 K27's erected by Baldwin for the D&RG were specific designs which compensated for some of the issues related to narrow gauge railroads. The drive rods and counter weights were outside the locomotive frame while the drive wheels were placed inside the frame. This allowed a significantly larger boiler and tractive effort at the cost of high speed due to the small 44" drivers. Thus, up to 1938 the narrow gauge passenger trains, such as The "San Juan Express" and "The Shavano", were drawn by small inside frame T12 types which had larger 46" drivers and light weight generating higher speed at the cost of tractive effort. In 1938 the T12's which were built in 1895 were finally retired as the narrow gauge passenger business wound down.
The k27's in turn were replaced by the significantly more powerful K37 mikado's which were erected by Baldwin in 1925 and K37's re-engineered to narrow gauge at the D&RG Burnham shops in Denver from earlier standard gauge consolidations erected in 1903 by Baldwin. The K27's were progressively moved to switcher duty in places such as Salida, Colorado and were thence scrapped.
The last two out of the Baldwin works survived with the last of the line, #464, moving from Salida to Durango, then on to Knott's Berry Farm in California and finally to the Huckleberry railroad just north of Flint, Michigan. It was converted to an oil burner and still runs, shiny and new looking, on a four mile round trip each day.
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| Last K27 from the Baldwin Works - D&RG #464 on the Huckleberry Railroad - Stock Photo |
Considered a "monster", because of her then extraordinary size, when she entered service she also gained the title of "Mudhen" as did the rest of the k27 series. K27's had a tendency to wobble, or waddle, in a horizontal plane due to
the length of their drive train when operating on the early D&RG narrow gauge road
bed. When operating on the substantially upgraded road bed of the C&TS that tendency is minimized. With an adhesive weight of over 105,000 pounds and locomotive weight of 135,650 pounds they were huge when compared to a typical narrow gauge locomotive of the era such as the 4-6-0 T12 which has a 50,603 pound adhesive weight and a locomotive weight of 70,550 pounds.
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| T12 # 168 - Now being restored to service by the C&TS - Wikipedia |
The K27 locomotive alone has an 18,000 pound greater weight than the total weight of both the T12 locomotive and its tender and the K27 adhesive force and tractive effort is more than double.
The next to last off the line at Baldwin was the D&RG #463. By the end of her life she was in switcher duty in Salida and she was headed for a very different fate than her sister #464. When the line was abandoned #463 was shipped to the ranch of actor Gene Autry in California. There she resided until Autry's death at which time she was given to the community of Antonito, Colorado to be placed on static display. As luck would have it Antonito is the eastern terminus of the Denver and Rio Grande San Juan Extension National Historic Landmark better known as The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
It didn't take long for the clever fellows at the railroad to figure out #463 may have it in her to handle a head of steam over 64 miles and a 4% grade. And that is where today's story begins:
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| D&RG K27 #463 at Osier, Colorado - May, 2015 |
It was a busy morning in Chama today. An overflow crowd boarded the train to Cumbres and beyond. At times such as this extra cars are added up to accommodate the large manifest. Enough additional cars and a locomotive has to be attached to act as "helper" up the 4% grade from Chama to Cumbres. Typically the train has three or four coaches, a concession car, open car, excursion class car and Parlor Car. On days such as this an additional two or three cars are added.
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| D&RG K36 Double Headed - Stock Photo |
The K36 is the real "Big Boy" on the Cumbres and Toltec. It has the power to pull 10 passenger cars up the 4% to Cumbres. The smaller K27 can barely manage 8 on the same grade thus when #463 is the road engine it needs a help up the grade and that job is reserved for the K36. So it was that K36
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| D&RG K36 #484 - Chama, NM July, 2016 |
#484 was scheduled for helper duty to assist road engine K27 #463 up the grade to Cumbres this morning. The train makes a mandatory stop on Cumbres for inspection where the helper, #484, will be cut-off to return to Chama with #463 carrying the train on to Osier and Antonito.
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| Chama Yard Looking South October 5, 2016 - Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec - Web Cam screen shot |
As usual a big crowd gathered to look at all the equipment and see the locomotives in action. The whistle sounded four long blasts signaling "All Aboard" and the stampede to the depot restrooms commenced. Fortunately a Docent managed to get them directed to the train before departure.
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| Chama Yard at Depot October 5, 2016 - Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec - Web Cam screen shot |
With a clear sky presaging a great trip the train pulled out of the Chama yard. As the train left the yard the Docent was alone in the open car. Shortly thereafter the Conductor will check all the tickets and the car will fill with passengers anticipating the wonders of Autumn in New Mexico and Colorado. On the C&TS the passengers are free to move about the train and a favorite place to congregate is the "open car" where a running commentary is given by a volunteer Docent who also answers questions that may arise. The rides are lengthy but it is the goal of every employee and volunteer - The Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec - to make sure our guests fully enjoy their journey.
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| Chama Yard & Tank Looking North October 5, 2016 - Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec - Web Cam screen shot |
At this time of year the aspen trees are just past prime and the sharp brittle smell of snow is not unusual in the now chilly breeze whispering over the Tusas Range. By October 23rd the railroad will close down for the long winter. Coincidentally, on that date the evening temperature is forecast to fall to the low 20's with snow accumulating for the morning of the 24th. That morning the yard will be quiet as the snow begins to accumulate over the long winter that follows.
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| Chama in Winter - Stock Photo |
I am only a few weeks home from Chama and I miss the sound of steam and smell of the smoke; the motion of the cars and the ongoing conversation while we travel the 64 miles to the far end. This is now a fond memory of a year filled with discovery and happiness. Through the winter we will look at pictures and I will continue research and training for my ongoing task as a Docent. In the fullness of time G and I will return next summer and as long as possible through the years that follow. The people we talk with will be different, the railroad will be remarkably unchanged and the land will remain timeless. On our return I will again have the joy of telling anew the story of the People, the Land and the Railroad that is The Denver and Rio Grande San Juan Extension National Historic Landmark.
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