K-36 weak sisters

One of the more problematic engines was 480. It was wrecked some time in its work life, and the left cylinder and valve was shattered. The D&RGW did a good job rebuilding it, but I felt someting was not right with the porting on that side. It also had a problem with its pony truck, with the harp block falling to one side, and occaisonally derailing the #1 driver. It was very slippery. Some of these problems were corrected by the D&SNG.

486 fired terribly the last year I worked there. As it turned out, it apparently steams better since reciving new rings last winter.

I never was a big fan of 487. It was a rough rider, pounding when descending grade. Earl said that the wheel centers were beaten oblong, and that works for me. It steamed o.k., but not as well as 484, 488, or 489. It was tough, though, and had few big probelms mechanically.