Cumbres & Toltec 488 emerged from the shop on August 11, 2022 looking fresh with a new smokebox, smokebox front, master mechanic front end to replace the cyclone front end, arch tubes, rebuilt pilot, original style injector control valves, classification lamps, replacement of the cab windows, installation of an original style whistle, and had a steam dome flange straightened.
488 also got a new bell ringer.
The engine was painted by sister railroad Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with a high-performance paint and lettering completed by the Akin Brothers. The finished product fits within the Commission’s plan for the K-36 to have appearances from different time periods in their history. The 488 represents the appearance of the locomotive as newly delivered by the Baldwin Locomotive works to the D&RGW in 1925.
Kudos to Chase Bond, Dylan Hutson, Cody Akin, Casey Akin, Austin Goodwin for time well spent over the previous winter! We were very happy to be on hand for its first run since the rebuild!
