D&RGW 463

D&RGW 463

Sister D&RGW 453
Type and origin
References:[1][2]
Power type Steam
Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number 21788
Build date April, 1903
Specifications
Configuration 2-8-2
UIC classification 1′D1′ v, later 1′D1′ h
Gauge 3 ft (914 mm)[3]
Leading wheel
diameter		 28 in (711 mm)
Driver diameter 40 in (1,016 mm)
Trailing wheel
diameter		 28 in (711 mm)
Wheelbase 24.5 feet (7.5 m)
Length 33.7 feet (10.3 m)
Weight on drivers 105,425 lb (48 t)
Locomotive weight 136,650 lb (62 t)
Superheater type yes, later
Cylinders Original: Four Vauclain compound,
Later: Two, simple
Cylinder size Original: 13 in × 22 in (330 mm × 559 mm)
and 22 in × 22 in (559 mm × 559 mm)
Later: 17 in × 22 in (432 mm × 559 mm)
Valve gear Walschaerts
Valve type Original: slide valves
Later: piston valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort 27,000 lbf (120 kN)
Career
Operator(s)
Class
Number in class 14 of 15
Number(s) D&RG / D&RGW: 463
Nicknames Mudhen
Preserved

Two: #463, 464

Engine No. 463
Location C&TS shops, Chama, New Mexico
Coordinates 36°54′10.4″N 106°34′40.7″W / 36.902889°N 106.577972°WCoordinates: 36°54′10.4″N 106°34′40.7″W / 36.902889°N 106.577972°W
Area 0 acres (0 ha)
Built 1903
Architect Baldwin Locomotive Works
Governing body Local
NRHP Reference #

75000502

[4]
CSRHP # 5CN.68
Added to NRHP May 12, 1975

D&RGW 463 is a 3 foot narrow gauge, Mikado type, 2-8-2 steam railway locomotive built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1903. They eventually became known by the nickname "Mudhens". It is one of two remaining locomotives of D&RGW class K-27.

Fifteen locomotives were built, originally class 125, then reclassified K-27 in 1924 when D&RG became the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The K-27s were built as Vauclain compounds, with two cylinders on each side, expanding the steam once in the smaller cylinder and then a second time in the larger one. The extra maintenance costs of the two cylinders were greater than the fuel saving, so they were converted to simple expansion in 1907–1909.[2] They were Rio Grande's last purchase of compound locomotives. They pulled freight, passenger and mixed trains on the D&RGW in and over the Colorado Rocky Mountains, traversing the entire length of the railroad. They were built with their main structural frames outside the driving wheels, with the counterweights and rods attached outside the frames.

No. 463 was sold to cowboy actor and singer Gene Autry in May 1955.[5] Autry never used the engine and donated it Antonito, Colorado. It was restored by and entered into service on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in 1994. It was taken out of service with a broken side rod in 2002. In 2009, it was moved to the railroad's shop at Chama, New Mexico where a major rebuild was taken until completion in Spring 2013.[6] On May 20, the locomotive was utilized, running in the lead with D&RGW K-36 No. 487, to pull the railroad's annual deadhead, or move empty cars, on its first run.

463 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 as Engine No. 463.

References

  1. ↑ Official Roster No. 11 of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad System. Denver: The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad System. April 1, 1923. p. 94.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brewster, Allen J. (March and June, 1973). "D&RG's K-27, parts 1 and 2". Model Railroader (Milwaukee: Kalmbach). Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ↑ Steamlocomotive.info
  4. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13.
  5. ↑ "Denver & Rio Grande Locomotive History: 463". Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  6. ↑ "A chronicle of the rebuilding of D&RGW locomotive #463". DRGW463.COM. Retrieved 6 February 2010.