D&RGW 463

D&RGW 463

Sister D&RGW 453, well known for being a switcher at Durango, Colorado

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 class 1′D1′ v, later 1′D1′ h Gauge 3 ft (914 mm)[3] Leading dia. 28 in (711 mm) Driver dia. 40 in (1,016 mm) Trailing dia. 28 in (711 mm) Wheelbase 24.5 ft (7.47 m) Length 33.7 ft (10.27 m) Adhesive weight 105,425 lb (47,820 kg; 48 t) Loco weight 136,650 lb (61,983 kg; 62 t) Superheater 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 Operators Denver and Rio Grande Railroad → Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad → Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Class D&RG: 125 D&RGW: K-27 Number in class 14 of 15 Numbers D&RG / D&RGW: 463 Nicknames Mudhen Preserved Two: #463, 464 Engine No. 463 U.S. National Register of Historic Places Colorado State Register of Historic Properties 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 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. It is one of two remaining locomotives of D&RGW class K-27. The class eventually became known by the nickname "Mudhens".

Fifteen locomotives were built, originally class 125, then reclassified K-27 in 1924 when the 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 to the town of 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, 2013, the restored locomotive made its inaugural run on the C&TS.^[7]

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

Film Credits

The D&RGW Engine 463 appeared in season 1, episode 38 of Gunsmoke on August 18, 1956. The episode was entitled ‘Unmarked Grave’.

See also

• D&RGW No. 168
• D&RGW No. 169
• D&RGW No. 223
• D&RGW No. 278
• D&RGW No. 315

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. 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 Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
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.
7. Miller, Janneli (2013-07-01). "Going loco over locomotives". Four Corners Free Press. Retrieved 2016-03-15.

• O'Berry, Dennis. (1995). The Mudhens, A Photographic History.