Rio Grande 463 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids D&RGW 463 |
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| Sister D&RGW No. 453, a well-known switcher at Durango, Colorado | |
| Power type | Steam |
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| References: | |
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Serial number | 21788 |
| Build date | April 1903 |
| Rebuild date | 2009–May 2013 |
| Configuration | 2-8-2 |
| UIC classification | 1′D1′ v, later 1′D1′ h |
| Gauge | 3 ft (914 mm) |
| Leading wheel diameter | 28 in (711 mm) |
| Driver diameter | 40 in (1,016 mm) |
| Trailing wheel diameter | 28 in (711 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 24.5 ft (7.47 m) |
| Length | 33.7 ft (10.27 m) |
| Weight on drivers | 105,425 lb (47,820 kg; 48 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 136,650 lb (61,983 kg; 62 t) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| 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 |
| Tractive effort | 27,000 lbf (120 kN) |
| Number in class | 14 of 15 |
| Nicknames | Mudhen |
| Retired | 1950s (revenue service) 2002 (1st excursion service) |
| Restored | 1994 (1st restoration) May 2013 (2nd restoration) |
| Disposition | Operational, in service on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad |
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Engine No. 463
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 Location in New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Location | C&TS shops, Chama, New Mexico |
| Area | 0 acres (0 ha) |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000502 |
| Added to NRHP | May 12, 1975 |
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (Denver and Rio Grande Western) No. 463 is a special steam locomotive. It has a 3-foot narrow-gauge track width. This engine is a "K-27" class "Mikado" type steam train. It was built in 1903 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG).
No. 463 is one of only two "K-27" class locomotives left. The other one is No. 464, located at the Huckleberry Railroad in Michigan. These trains were often called "Mudhens." Today, No. 463 is still working on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. It travels between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado.
Contents
The K-27 Class Locomotives
Fifteen of these locomotives were built in total. They were first called class 125. Later, in 1924, they became known as K-27. This happened when the D&RG railroad changed its name to the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW).
How They Were Built
The K-27s were first built as "Vauclain compound" engines. This meant they had two cylinders on each side. Steam would expand in a smaller cylinder first, then again in a larger one. This design was supposed to save fuel. However, keeping the two cylinders working properly cost more than the fuel savings. So, between 1907 and 1909, they were changed to a simpler design. These K-27s were the last compound locomotives the Rio Grande railroad ever bought.
What They Did
These powerful trains pulled many types of cars. They carried freight (goods), passengers, and mixed trains. They worked for the D&RGW railroad in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. They traveled across the entire length of the railway. These engines had their main frames built outside their driving wheels. This meant the counterweights and rods were also attached on the outside.
The Journey of No. 463
In May 1955, No. 463 was sold to a famous cowboy actor and singer named Gene Autry. Mr. Autry never actually used the train himself. Instead, he generously gave it to the town of Antonito, Colorado.
Restoration and Return to Service
The locomotive was later restored. It began working again on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in 1994. However, in 2002, it had to stop working because a side rod broke. In 2009, the train was moved to the railroad's shop in Chama, New Mexico. There, it went through a big repair project. This major rebuild was finished in the spring of 2013. On May 20, 2013, the newly restored No. 463 made its first trip on the C&TSRR.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its importance, No. 463 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It is listed as Engine No. 463.
No. 463 in Movies and TV
Engine No. 463 has even been a star! It has appeared in several movies and TV shows.
- In 1956, it was in an episode of the TV show Gunsmoke. This was season 1, episode 38, called "Unmarked Grave." It was shown as Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway No. 463.
- It also appeared in an episode of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater. This was season 1, episode 10, titled "Return to Nowhere," which aired in December 1956.
- In 2014, Engine 463 had a small role in the movie A Million Ways to Die in the West. It appeared as D&RGW No. 463.
- It was also featured in the 2018 movie Hostiles.
- The engine appeared in a 1959 episode of "Wanted Dead or Alive" called "Railroaded." It was not given credit in this show.
