Re: brake schedule on the Ks

Brian Norden Wrote:
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> Russ489 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I note that the K-36s still have A-1 brakes in
> > these photos. I always thought they were
> > converted to 6-ET earlier. Does anyone know
> when
> > the brakes were upgraded?
>
> I had heard -- might have even been on this site
> -- that the change on the K-36s, etc. did not
> occur until the 1950s and done using equipment
> salvaged from standard gauge locomotives going to
> scrap.
>
> The understanding is that the Rio grande had
> bought/constructed the Mikados with the older
> brake schedule because that is what the crews were
> used to on the narrow gauge.
>
> BN

Beginning in the 1940's after WWII as some of the smaller 6-ET standard gauge power got retired. I remember one brake stand base stamped "775" or something like that. Eldon Morgan told when he started in 1946, most all the engines were still A-1 air, but got changed as they went through the shop. The 470's, 480's & 490's all were built with A-1 air brakes.