D&SNG No. 480 is a K-36 class 2-8-2 "Mikado" type narrow gauge steam locomotive. It was originally built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925 for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). It is now a permanent resident of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG). It is one of four class K-36 locomotives in operation at the D&SNG, the others being Nos. 481, 482, and 486.
In June 2021, it was recently converted to burn oil instead of coal and is the third steam locomotive on the D&SNG to undergo conversion from coal-burning to oil-burning, the first two being class K-37 locomotive 493 and class K-28 locomotive 473. The D&SNG also recently converted sister class K-36 locomotive 482 to an oil burner on December 16, 2021.
In early August 2022, the D&SNG also converted the tender of sister class K-36 locomotive 486 to oil-firing to be temporarily used behind 480 while its original tender undergoes some much-needed heavy repairs and maintenance. It will eventually get its original tender back once the heavy repairs and maintenance on it are complete.
In DS Railfest 2009, engine 480 pulling president’s train in Railfest 2012 Presidential train To Railfest 2003 to 2005 In Railfest 2004.
Trivia[]
- No. 480 has worn several different whistles during its operating career on the Durango & Silverton, including a D&RGW 5-chime, a PRR 3 Chime, an SP 6-chime, a Baldwin Locomotive Works 3-chime, a custom-built Reading 6-chime, and a Rizzoli Locomotive Works T&P 3-chime, an L&N 3-chime among others. Right now, it carries a Nathan 6 Chime.
- The engine can be seen in Herron Rail Video's Narrow Gauge Glory Volume 1 and Mark I Video's Railfanning the Silverton DVD's.