The Denver & Rio Grande Western K-36 is a series of 2-8-2 "Mikado" type coal-fired narrow gauge steam locomotives. They were originally built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925 in tandem with the earlier K-27 and later K-37 class 2-8-2 type locomotives.
Today, of the ten class K-36 locomotives built, five of them, Nos. 483, 484, 487, 488, and 489, survive on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS) between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO and four of them, Nos. 480, 481, 482, and 486, survive on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) in Durango, CO. No. 485 was the only member of the K-36 class to be scrapped after it fell in the turntable pit in Salida, CO in 1955.
Originally, No. 482 was sold to the C&TS in 1970, but later traded to the D&SNG in exchange for K-37 locomotive 497 in October 1991 and No. 486 was sold to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in 1967, but was later traded to the D&SNG in exchange for K-37 locomotive 499 in May 1999. In 2021, Nos. 480, 482, and 489 have been converted to burn oil instead of coal. No. 486 will also be converted to an oil burner on the D&SNG before it eventually returns to operation again since its tender was recently converted to oil-burning setup in August 2022. This currently leaves No. 481 as the last operational coal burner on the D&SNG and it will continue to operate as a coal burner until its flue time expires. Also in August 2022, the C&TS announced that another one of their K-36 locomotives, either Nos. 484, 487, or 488, would also be converted to burn oil over the 2022-2023 winter season. Ultimately, No. 487 was chosen for the conversion.
Roster[]
| Image | Number | Builder | Serial Number | Operator | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
480 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58558 | Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad | Operational | Retired from the D&RGW in 1970. Went to the D&SNG in 1981. Restored to operating condition in July 1985. Converted to burn oil in June 2021. |
 |
481 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58559 | Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad | Stored Out of Service | Went to D&SNG in 1981 and was the first K-36 run to Silverton. Remains the last coal-burning steam locomotive on the D&SNG as of 2023. Will be converted to burn oil after the D&SNG 2023-2024 winter season. |
 |
482 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58541 | Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad | Operational | Retired from the D&RGW in 1962. Went to C&TS in 1970. Traded to D&SNG in October 1991 in exchange for K-37 No. 497. Restored to operating condition in May 1992. Converted to burn oil on December 16, 2021. |
 |
483 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58584 | Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad | Stored Out of Service | Retired from the D&RGW in 1968. Went to C&TS in 1970. Retired from service on the C&TS seven years later in 1977. Almost traded to D&SNG in exchange for K-28 No. 478 in 2015. Undergoing cosmetic restoration as of 2016. 483 also hauled the last steam powered scheduled passenger train on the D&RGW on May 29, 1965. It was a fan trip from Alamosa to Durango, Colorado. |
| 484 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58585 | Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad | Operational | Went to C&TS in 1970. Restored to operating condition a year later in 1971. | |
 |
485 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58586 | Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad | Scrapped in 1955 | Stored Out of Service Due to severe damage, 485 couldn't be repaired and was scrapped on January 24, 1955. Many parts were salvaged on other locomotives. |
 |
486 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58587 | Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad | Stored Out of Service | Retired from the D&RGW in 1962. Went to Royal Gorge Park for display in December 1967. Traded to D&SNG in May 1999 in exchange for K-37 No. 499. Restored to operating condition in August 2000. Taken out of service in October 2019. Currently on display in the D&SNG Museum awaiting a future overhaul and conversion to oil. Tender converted to oil-burning setup as of August 2022. |
 |
487 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58588 | Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad | Operational | Went to C&TS in 1970. Restored to operating condition in 1973. Taken out of service in October 2021. Currently being converted to burn oil as of 2023. |
| 488 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58589 | Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad | Operational | Went to C&TS in 1970. Restored to operating condition in 1979. | |
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489 | Baldwin Locomotive Works | 58590 | Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad | Operational | Retired from the D&RGW in 1962. Went to C&TS in 1970. Restored to operating condition in 1981. Converted to burn oil in June 2021. |
Gallery[]
