Re: Fate of K-37's

490: Wrecked and scrapped
491: On display at Colo. RR Museum in Golden
492: At Chama, could return to service
493: On display by D&S at Silverton could return to service
494: On display at Antonito by C&TS, could return to service
495: On display at Antonito by C&TS, could return to service
496: Scrapped
497: In service
498: On display by D&S in Durango museum, could be returned to service
499: On display by US Forest Service, Canon City (was traded by D&S for 486)
493, 497 and 498 were all in service at the end of the Rio Grande's operation and are the best candidates for restoration. Unfortunately the D&S doesn't care for them. Has to do with track dynamics and older boilers and lots of other stuff. The K-37s and K-36s have the same mechanism but the weight distribution and how they handle trackage irregularities are different. The newer K-36s are more reliable and easier on the track. I believe C&TS has found this to be true as well, since 497 has recently been relegated to Chama to Cumbres due to track problems that the other engines can traverse.
I understand the 494 and 495's valves were seriously burned by hauling from Alamosa to Antonito without oil by the D&RGW - reparable, of course, with enough money. 492 seems to be a good possible candidate, once everything else at Chama is up and running.