By Railfan & Railroad Staff

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic has begun restoration work on 2-8-2 K-37 492, one of the largest 2-8-2s to ever operate on the famous Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge lines. Locomotive 492 would become the third K-37 to be restored to operation in the last decade, following 491 at the Colorado Railroad Museum and 493 at the Durango & Silverton. 

The railroad first indicated that it would restore one of its out-of-service K-37s in 2022. Last week, C&TS crews in Chama, N.M., moved the heavy 2-8-2 from a spur onto live track to begin that process. C&TS picked 492 over sister locomotives 494, 495 or 497 (all of which C&TS owns) because it appears to be in the best condition, specifically, the locomotive’s boiler was replaced in 1948. The locomotive last operated in 1966. 

In the last few months, C&TS has ordered a number of new parts for the locomotive and the first of those, the new eccentric rods for the valve gear, arrived last week. Other pieces that will be replaced will include the main rods, side rods and valve gear components. The locomotive will also wear the whistle from 490, which was recently donated to the C&TS. The railroad plans to use the tender from 497 for the restored locomotive, however, if that locomotive were ever to be restored C&TS would build a new one for 492. 

The group plans on restoring the locomotive to burn coal. The C&TS has recently converted some locomotives from coal to oil and the D&SNG restored 493 to burn oil.