Re: 482 trade

Well, yes, 497 is a bit (not much) larger than the K-36's. My data from John Norwood shows the 37s at 187,250 pounds as opposed to the 36s 187,100 pounds. Both have rigid wheelbases of 12'3". Why did the horse trade happen? Well, 497 could have some balancing issues about pounding the track as she is a know doer of that evil to rail east of Osier. The D&S had no problems moving 493 up to Silverton a couple years back. Hmmmm. 497 did not recieve the degree of maintenance and repair that 492 saw as the result of several mishaps. Strangely, 497 also wrecked in 1959 along with 498 at Cumbres in February. See TICKET TO TOLTEC for details and pictures. Part of her problems could stem from rolling over onto the engineers side. As for putting 492 in service, she would need to trade pilot wheels with one of the other 37's as she currently has 497's wrecked set from 2000. The backshopmen could tell more about the boilers of 483 and 492. It sticks in my mind that 483 needs new sidesheets in the firebox and new flue sheets as well as a full makeover of the running gear. 492's bodywork should be in fairly good shape having been painted frequently. As for 494 and 495, well, 494 is in better cosmetic structural shape (like the tender tank) than 495. Mechanically, I don't know what kind of shape they are in. We can just hope and help the C&TS back to full steam, maybe with a couple more operable engines.
Cheers!
Paul