CHAMA, N.M. — We may yet see a Rio Grande K-37 climb Cumbres Pass once more.
On Saturday, the two-state commission that oversees the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad voted to restore a Rio Grande K-37 2-8-2, returning that model to the 64-mile narrow gauge railroad for the first time since 2002 when No. 497 ended service. The railroad has both No. 497, restored to operation in 1984, and No. 492, which hasn’t steamed since the Rio Grande shut down regular freight operations on the narrow gauge in 1968.
C&TS President and Colorado Commissioner Scott Gibbs tells Trains News Wire that both locomotives will be evaluated to determine the best restoration candidate. The addition would give the railroad five large locomotives necessary to cover the regular schedule, engineer/fireman schools, and special events, he says. No timetable was established for the evaluation or overhaul.
The K-37 Rio Grande Mikados are unique because they were built as standard gauge Consolidations in 1902, with 10 converted to narrow gauge between 1928-1930. Of the eight survivors, two others are in operation. No. 491 at Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden was restored in 2014, and No. 493 was restored as an oil-burner at Durango & Silverton in 2020. It was the star of a Trains Magazine photo charter in September 2021.
In other CT&S commission news, Gibbs reported in a post to the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum:
— Restoration on the Osier dining hall, damaged by fire in late 2021, will resume in the spring with the aim of being ready for the railroad’s June 11 opening day. Restoration will cost more than $1 million.
— The Commission approved a resolution to build a secure storage building for the railroad’s newly restored historic-car consist and 4-6-0 No. 168 in Antonito. Plans call for construction this summer, with funding from the railroad’s Historic Preservation Account.
— Updated at 12:35 p.m. on Feb. 15 to correct that conversion was from standard-gauge Consolidation locomotives.
Share this article
