After reading the editorial on the D&S and noticing that K-28 #476 has become a static exhibit as well as the fact that Wes Barris's list of surviving steam shows sister engine #473 as inoperable I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the status of these locos as well as #478.

Until Bradshaw bought the line in the early '80s the only engines that ran on it were the K-28's due to the fact that the K-36 and K-37 (480 and 490 series respectively) were too heavy.
Obviously as the trains have become heavier over the years the K-36 would be the obvious choice of power since they are more powerful and I believe there are at least 4 of them now operable at Durango. But what is the fate of the three K-28's? Has the D&S "retired" them for the time being? I am happy to see that at least 476 is being well taken care of indoors, but personally I think it is too bad to not see it running over the high iron.



jmonty@vt.edu

> After reading the editorial on the D&S
> and noticing that K-28 #476 has become a
> static exhibit as well as the fact that Wes
> Barris's list of surviving steam shows
> sister engine #473 as inoperable I was
> wondering if anyone knows anything about the
> status of these locos as well as #478.

473 is alive, well, and pulled me to Silverton and back. I was very happy to get her, as she was the only K-28 running that day, and my idea of an authentic Silverton trip naturally included a K-28 as power. 478 was being worked on in the Roundhouse.

Far from retiring the K-28s my impression is that D&S is rotating them through the shop and back into service as part of the ordinary overhaul sequence. The engine in the Museum at any given time is generally next in line for a heavy overhaul. I'd expect that the 476 will go into the shop in turn, and then back out on the line.

eledbetter@mail.rypn.org

According to reports, 476 is still in the museum
because 486 (traded from the Royal Gorge) took
more shop resources than expected. She is
supposed to go into the shops for work in the
next year. She is reported to have several
significant ailments, including a loose
cylinder saddle.

> 473 is alive, well, and pulled me to
> Silverton and back. I was very happy to get
> her, as she was the only K-28 running that
> day, and my idea of an authentic Silverton
> trip naturally included a K-28 as power. 478
> was being worked on in the Roundhouse.

> Far from retiring the K-28s my impression is
> that D&S is rotating them through the
> shop and back into service as part of the
> ordinary overhaul sequence. The engine in
> the Museum at any given time is generally
> next in line for a heavy overhaul. I'd
> expect that the 476 will go into the shop in
> turn, and then back out on the line.


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