A few years back I took these on opening weekend on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR in Colorado and New Mexico. This is K-36 class #489. Of the 10 K-36s built in 1925, 9 still exist, and of those, 480, 481, 482, 486 are operational on the Durango and Silverton RR and 484, 487, 488, 489 are operational on the C&TS. So, 8 of the original 10 of these 89 year old steam engines are still running!!
#489 aheading out of Chama, NM about to hit the 4% climb up to Cumbres.
#489 during an unsceduled stop to take on more sand. This was the first run of the season and the surface rust on the rails was causing the train to stall on the 4% grade.
#489 with the big climb to Cumbres behind as the train drifts down the 2% grade during a downpour on the way to Antonito, CO.
Erik