Rio Grande 463 Explained

D&RGW 463
Powertype:Steam
Hatnote:References:
Builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
Serialnumber:21788
Builddate:April 1903
Rebuilddate:2009–May 2013
Gauge:[1]
Uicclass:1′D1′ v, later 1′D1′ h
Leadingdiameter:280NaN0
Driverdiameter:400NaN0
Trailingdiameter:280NaN0
Wheelbase:24.52NaN2
Length:33.72NaN2
Weightondrivers:1054250NaN0
Locoweight:1366500NaN0
Fueltype:Coal
Superheatertype:yes, later
Valvegear:Walschaerts
Cylindercount:Original: Four Vauclain compound,
Later: Two, simple
Cylindersize:Original: 13x
and 22x
Later: 17x
Tractiveeffort:27000abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Numinclass:14 of 15
Nicknames:Mudhen
Retiredate:1950s
2002
Restoredate:1994
May 2013
Disposition:Operational, in service on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Embed:yes
Engine No. 463
Designated Other1:Colorado
Designated Other1 Number:5CN.68
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Location:C&TS shops, Chama, New Mexico
Coordinates:36.9029°N -106.578°W
Built:1903
Architect:Baldwin Locomotive Works
Added:May 12, 1975
Refnum:75000502

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (Denver and Rio Grande Western) No. 463 is a 3-foot narrow-gauge class "K-27" "Mikado" type steam locomotive built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG) by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1903. It is one of two remaining Rio Grande K-27 locomotives, the other one being No. 464 at the Huckleberry Railroad in Genesee Township, Michigan. The class eventually became known by the nickname "Mudhens". Today, No. 463 is operational on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado.

Fifteen locomotives were built, originally class 125, then reclassified K-27 in 1924 when the D&RG became the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). The K-27s were built as Vauclain compounds, with two cylinders on each side, expanding the steam once in the smaller cylinder and then a second time in the larger one. The extra maintenance costs of the two cylinders were greater than the fuel saving, so they were converted to simple expansion in 1907–1909. They were Rio Grande's last purchase of compound locomotives. They pulled freight, passenger and mixed trains on the D&RGW in and over the Colorado Rocky Mountains, traversing the entire length of the railroad. They were built with their main structural frames outside the driving wheels, with the counterweights and rods attached outside the frames.

No. 463 was sold to cowboy actor and singer Gene Autry in May 1955. Autry never used the engine and donated it to the town of Antonito, Colorado. It was restored by and entered into service on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in 1994. It was taken out of service with a broken side rod in late 2002. In 2009, it was moved to the railroad's shop at Chama, New Mexico where a major rebuild was taken until completion in Spring 2013. On May 20, 2013, the restored locomotive made its inaugural run on the C&TSRR.[2]

No. 463 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 as Engine No. 463.

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=236 Steamlocomotive.info
  2. News: Miller. Janneli. Going loco over locomotives. 2016-03-15. Four Corners Free Press. 2013-07-01.