Re: 452 long time lease loco

John K Wrote:
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> Yes, it would be interesting to know why certain
> "hens" spent time where they did. 464 did some
> time on the Silverton as well as the RGS. It
> seems 454 and 456, both centered out of Montrose
> in the end, did not find there way on to the RGS
> much???

In and out of Ridgway on the Ouray Branch train interchanging with the RGS, particularly during stock rush, but seldom on the Southern. If there was traffic for Ouray one of the 2-8-0's would have to be the branch engine since the K-27's were too heavy for the bridges and track south of Ridgway.

Needs of the RGS is one of the prime reasons that the K-27's stayed in service as long as they did. As of 1950 RGS 4-6-0's 22 and 25 and 2-8-0 40 were gone and C-19 41 was stored with a worn crown sheet. That left 20, 42 and 455 as sole power. Oh yeah, the 74 too, 'cept the crews didn't like it and it stayed in the shop. Leasing K-27's allowed the RGS to have enough power to handle the meager traffic and the revenue from leasing the engines allowed the D&RGW to keep them on the roster. Another factor that kept 463 and 464 active was the loss of the 7 K-28's during WWII. The K-27's worked fine on the Silverton and Farmington Branches and the K-28's were kept busy on the San Juan. After the San Juan came off in 1951 the 28's were available and the 27's could be retired. Fortunately, this late date allowed other interests the ability to obtain the 463 and 464 for preservation and operation into this century.