D&RGW No. 491 is a K-37 class 2-8-2 "Mikado" type narrow gauge steam locomotive built by Burnham Shops in Denver, CO in 1928 for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG), later known as the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW), reusing the boiler and several other components from a C-41 class 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type standard gauge steam locomotive. The frame and running gear of the locomotive were built new specifically for the class by the Stearns Rogers Manufacturing Company. 491 is now at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO where it resides today.
491 was originally donated to the Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado) and placed on static display at the Colorado Railroad Museum in 1985 on loan. In June 2013, 491 was officially donated to the Colorado Railroad Museum and later restored to operating condition on August 28, 2014.
As of 2023, 491 is fully operational at the museum. It is currently one of two operational D&RGW K-37 class locomotives, the other one being No. 493 at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNG) in Durango, CO, as well as one of three operable narrow gauge steamers at the Colorado Railroad Museum, the others being D&RGW C-19 class No. 346 and RGS T-19 class No. 20.
Trivia[]
- This engine was featured in the game ”TrainStation 2” for a limited time.
