Instruction Manual -D&RGW K-37 Electric
Instruction Manual -D&RGW K-37 Electric
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Prototype Information:
In 1928 and
1930 the D&RGW rebuilt ten standard gauge C-41 class 2-8-0
consolidations into 2-8-2 K-37 class Mikados. At the time,
both the standard
gauge and narrow gauge portions of the D&RGW railroad demanded more
and larger motive power so it made perfect sense to rebuild small standard
gauge locos that were limited in use into powerful narrow gauge locos,
rather than buying new. The numbers #490 through #495 were built in
1928,
while numbers #496 through #499 were built in 1930.
The railroad purchased new frames from Baldwin Locomotive Works and
used as much of the old 1902 Baldwin-built consolidations as possible.
Boilers were used after a rebuilding, smoke boxes were extended, cabs
were rebuilt, tenders were lowered etc. Interestingly although new lower
profile tender truck bolster were used the axles were left at their standard
gauge length with the narrow gauge wheels spaced towards the center of
a long axle. The resultant locomotive was quite large; in fact it became the
largest of the D&RGW narrow gauge locomotives with a tractive effort of
approximately 37,000 pounds.
Happily only two of the class numbers #490 and #496 were dismantled. The
rest were either put on display or eventually found their way to the Durango
and Silverton Railroad, or the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway.
