C&TS No. 488 is a K-36 class 2-8-2 "Mikado" type narrow gauge steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, PA in 1925 for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). Today, it is one of five former D&RGW class K-36 resident locomotives operating at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS) between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO, the others being Nos. 483 (which is not operational), 484, 487, and 489, the latter of which was converted to burn oil in early June 2021.
Currently, it operates alongside sister class K-36 Nos. 484, 487, and 489 and D&RGW class K-27 No. 463. In the fall of 2015, it was taken out of service for its Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection and later returned to service on July 3, 2017. In August 2018, it was temporarily renumbered to 483 as part of a freight photo charter assisted with 484. This was a recreation of the freight run that 483 and 484 both pulled back in the days of the D&RGW in August 1968. The real 483 is now undergoing a full cosmetic restoration in Chama, NM as of 2016. It was later renumbered back to 488 in September 2018. It was later taken out of service again for extensive boiler work for most of the 2021 operating season, but eventually returned to service on October 9, 2021.
As of 2022, it was taken out of service once again for a replacement of the smokebox, but later returned to service again on August 11, 2022, but complete with a fresh coat of black paint and 1970s-style C&TS lettering. When it emerged from the shops in Chama, NM on that day, it also received a new smokebox front, a new master mechanic front end to replace the old cyclone front end, new arch tubes, a rebuilt pilot, original-style injector control valves, classification lamps, new cab windows, a D&RGW Hooter whistle, a new straightened steam dome flange, and a new bell ringer. The new paint work was done by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) in Durango, CO and the lettering was done by the Akin Brothers.
Trivia[]
- No. 488 has worn several different whistles during its operating career on the Cumbres & Toltec, including a D&RGW 5-chime, a Flattop 5-chime, a Steptop 5-chime, and a D&RGW Hooter, among others. Right now, it currently carries the Steptop 5-chime.
- In August 2018, No. 488 was temporarily renumbered to 483 as part of a freight photo charter assisted with No. 484. This was a recreation of the freight run that 483 and 484 both pulled back in the days of the Denver & Rio Grande Western in August 1968.
Gallery[]
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