Rio Grande No. 489

C&TS No. 489 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). As of today, it is now preserved and operates today as a permanent resident on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS) between Antonito, CO and Chama, NM, part of the old D&RGW narrow gauge system. It is one of five former D&RGW class K-36 locomotives currently owned by the C&TS, the others being Nos. 483 (which is not operational), 484, 487, and 488.

489 was a helper on the last D&RGW revenue train over the Gunnison-Salida Marshall Pass in Colorado and it also hauled the scrap train after abandonment of that branch in May 1961. In 1970, it was sold to the newly-formed C&TS, and by the spring of 1981, the railroad began looking for another locomotive to restore to operating condition from among those in storage. No. 483 was quickly eliminated from the list since it was retired from service on the C&TS in 1977 due to the same problems facing No. 484, and in addition, it also needed a new firebox flue sheet. No. 492 was also eliminated due to its 1902-style boiler. The only two locomotives left in storage at the time were Nos. 482 and 489 and both of them were in rather poor mechanical shape. Because 489's driving wheel tires were in better shape and there were less parts to start off with, it was chosen for the restoration.

In late 2019, it was taken out of service for a replacement of the smokebox and its Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection. On December 15, 2020, the C&TS announced that 489 would be converted to burn oil instead of coal while it was undergoing its 1,472-day restoration. The oil-firing conversion was later completed successfully in early June 2021. On August 3, 2022, the C&TS announced that another one of their K-36 class locomotives would also be converted to burn oil instead of coal over the 2022-2023 winter season. It was later confirmed that No. 487 had been chosen for the conversion. In May 2023, 489 underwent extensive running gear and firebox work, as well as major improvements to its oil conversion, with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) supplying the parts for the C&TS to make these changes. On May 15, 2024, 489 was fired up for a test run in preparation for opening day of the 2024 operating season for the C&TS on May 25th.

Trivia[]

No. 489 has worn several different whistles during its operating career on the Cumbres & Toltec, including a Reading 6-chime, a Powell 3-chime, an AT&SF 6-chime, a D&RGW Hooter, and a Steptop 5-chime, among others. Right now, it currently carries the AT&SF 6-chime.
In the spring of 1926, No. 489 was involved in its only major derailment. Running light down Cumbres Pass towards Chama, NM, it struck a broken rail and rolled over several times before coming to rest on its left side about 100 feet away from the track. Most of the damage was minor, but the cab was a total loss. It was eventually moved to Alamosa, CO for repairs.

Rio Grande No. 489

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