The D&RGW K-27 is a series of 2-8-2 "Mikado" type coal-fired narrow gauge steam locomotives. All fifteen engines were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, PA in 1903 for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG), later known as the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). Of the fifteen members of the K-27 class, only two of them, Nos. 463 and 464, survive today in preservation.
In May 1955, 463 was sold to singer Gene Autry and moved to his private ranch in California for static display. In 1971, Mr. Autry sold 463 to the town of Antonito, CO for an equivalent of only $1. In 1994, 463 was restored to operating condition by the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS) between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO where it operated tourist excursion trains until being taken out of service indefinitely in October 2002 due to a broken side rod. In May 2013, 463 was later restored back to operation on the C&TS and made its inaugural run on May 20, 2013. As of 2023, 463 is still in operation on the C&TS. From October 19th to 20, 2023, 463 operated on a 2-day photo charter to celebrate the locomotive's 120th birthday. As part of this photo charter, 463 had the flying D&RGW lettering painted on its tender.
In 1973, 464 was sold to the Knott's Berry Farm amusement park in Buena Park, CA to run on their Ghost Town & Calico Railroad alongside RGS 41 and D&RGW 340. However, 464 saw little to no use there since it had a tough time navigating the tight curves on Knott's Berry Farm's tracks. In 1981, 464 was sold again to the Huckleberry Railroad in Genesee Township, MI, near Flint. 464 was later restored to operating condition in 1989 and operated tourist excursion trains on the Huckleberry Railroad until being taken out of service in late 2019 in preparation for a future overhaul. As of 2023, 464 is currently being evaluated for its upcoming overhaul.
Roster[]
| Image | Number | Builder's Number | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | 450 | 21677 | Retired from the D&RGW in 1932. Scrapped in 1939. |
| TBA | 451 | 21685 | Retired from the D&RGW in 1932. Scrapped in 1939. |
| TBA | 452 | 21803 | Retired from the D&RGW in 1951. Scrapped in 1954. |
|
453 | 21824 | Used for switching in Durango, Colorado. Scrapped in 1954. |
|
454 | 21832 | Used for switching in Montrose, Colorado. Scrapped in 1953. |
| TBA | 455 | 21845 | Traded to RGS in 1939. Wrecked in 1943. Rebuilt in 1947 using parts from a standard gauge locomotive. Scrapped in 1953. |
| TBA | 456 | 21854 | Used for switching in Gunnison, Colorado. Scrapped in 1956. |
| TBA | 457 | 21894 | Retired from the D&RGW in 1932. Scrapped in 1939. |
| TBA | 458 | 21910 | Sold to National Railways of Mexico in 1941. Converted to Standard Gauge and renumbered 2251. Scrapped in 1957. |
| TBA | 459 | 21936 | Sold to National Railways of Mexico. Converted to standard gauge and renumbered 2250. Scrapped in 1963. |
|
460 | 21728 | Retired from the D&RGW in 1932. Scrapped in 1939. |
|
461 | 21729 | Sold to RGS in 1950. Scrapped in 1953. |
 |
462 | 21781 | Scrapped in 1950. Tender preserved at the C&TS in Chama, New Mexico. |
 |
463 | 21788 | Retired in the early 1950s. Sold to Gene Autry in 1955. Then static display at Antonito in 1971. Transferred to C&TS and restored to operating condition in 1994. Taken out of service in October 2002. Rebuilt between 2009 and 2013. Operational. |
 |
464 | 21796 | Last K-27 in service on the D&RGW. Used for switching at Durango, Colorado. Retired in 1962 and put on static display at Durango. Sold to Knott's Berry Farm in 1973. Then to Huckleberry Railroad in 1981. Restored to operating condition in 1989. The engine last saw steam in early 2019 and since then has been awaiting a rebuild. Currently being evaluated for its upcoming overhaul as of 2023. |
Accidents and incidents[]
- In 1938, No. 463 was involved in a serious accident where it was crossing the east wye bridge near Cimarron, CO when the bridge collapsed. No. 463 jack-knifed when the bridge collapsed, pointing the nose of the locomotive in the air. After No. 463 was removed from the river, it was taken to Gunnison, CO for repairs.