Friends, Do any of you know where I can find any plans of the K-37 Baldwin 2-8-2's used by the DRGW? I'm not talking about Mikados. Class K-37. These were built in 1908 and entered DRGW roster in about 1925-30. Thanks, Jim CCRR/Socalz44
Socal...you want this type and detail ? Very complete - very expensive ! Several other Google results at "erection plans D&RGW K-37. Good luck ! Bob C.
I have no books to recommend from my own library--but I'm betting a search on Amazon books would turn up several great sources. Honestly, I'll bet you couldn't do any better than this: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Denver-Rio-Grande-Western-Locomotive/dp/B000W2GOOW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244547722&sr=1-1"]Amazon.com: Denver & Rio Grande Western: K-37 Class Locomotive (Quick Pic Book): Tim Mulina, Mike Conder: Books[/ame]
Jim, If you go The Model Train Magazine Index and do a keyword search for K37 you will see that there is a set of plans for this loco in the October 1979 issue of Model Railroader. p.s. FYI, Seeing as this loco is a 2-8-2, that makes it a "Mikado". In D&RGW steam loco classifications the letter "K" stands for Mikado.
Jim, as a side note. The 10 K-37's started life as C-41 class 2-8-0 Consolidations in 1902. These standard gauge engines were rebuilt into the narrow gauge K-37's in 1928.
Dan and all, thank you very much. Dan are you saying that somehow the 2-8-0 standard guage went to narrow guage as a 2-8-2? I'm not visualizing this. Could you clarify please? I also went to Model Train Magazine Index. Yes, they have a plan but I don't know that I can retrieve it. Do I have to buy a copy of the mag? As far as the K-37 being narrow guage, could be, but I thought most of the DRGW tracks had converted to standard guage in the 1880's. This engine didn't appear on their roster until about 1925. All the photos seem to show standard guage for the K-37. Even the Royal Gorge Route went standard before the 1890's. Thanks, Jim CCRR/Socalz44
It's true the Rio Grande standard gauged most of it's lines in the 1880s, however NARROW gauge still remained from Alamosa to Antonito to Cumbres to Durango thru Silverton. Also other lines to Gunnison and also to Farmington. Also there was other NG lines such as the Rio Grande Southern and Silverton Northern. Keep in mind the D&RGW ran the Durango to Silverton branch until 1980! When it was sold to the Durango and Silverton Railroad to operate. The K-37 mikado narrow gauge engines were CONVERTED from C-41 consolidation standard gauge engines. Moving the drive wheels INSIDE the frames and pushing the tender wheels further onto the axles. Not sure why they lost 4000 pounds of tractive effort though. Josh
Josh, Thanks. The more I read the more I learn. Many railroads used this Baldwin 2-8-2 locomotive. Only the DRGW made it narrow guage. This is what threw me off. The DRGW sites have the most photos so I assumed this was standard guage because 90% of the line is standard. Live and learn. I've seen this pre-traditional Mikado body style on other roads. My main concern is that most where standard guage and not narrow. Every railroad had their own designators for their locos so it seems hard to follow a particular model through it's life span. Thanks again, Jim CCRR/Socalz44
Many railroads had Baldwin 2-8-2s... but even most of the standard gauge ones were of different designs.
Josh is correct--as for the loss in TE, could it be explained by less rotating mass (larger rods, drivers, and engine/tender wheels)? The SG 2-8-0 drivers would have been much larger and heavier than the NG K-37's drivers.
Jim, The magazine index will just show you in what magazine/issue the article is in. It's then up to you to find it. One place that you might check out is Reed's Hobby Shop in La Mesa CA. Reeds Hobby Shop - Home They usually carry a lot of old magazines, and they are very knowledgeable about our hobby. If you do go see them, tell Steve and Bruce that I said HI!! Dan
