rdamurphy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why is this? Were the '37'a in worse shape than
> the '36's, are they that much different in
> operation?
>
> How many '37's still exist?
>
> Robert
I don't like to cut and paste postings from other forums, but this question popped up on Train Orders a couple of weeks ago. Being as how I posted this, and I applies here, I'll break my own rule:
"The oft repeated story back then was the FRA would be very reluctant to grant flue extensions on boilers built before the 1911 Boiler Inspection Law came into effect. Back then it was common for the C&TS to get over 10 years on a flue job. The first 5 years came under the normal flue life regulations, the remaining years were on "flue extension" granted every year. Not only were the K-37's effected, but K27 463 was under overhaul by a private contractor in Antonito, and faced the same issue. It was assumed the D&RGW never had had a problem with the K-37's because they never applied for flue time extensions on their locomotives.
It was not until the early 1990's that we looked hard at the interpretation of the rule, and challenged it. We were looking into the trade of 482 for the D&S' 497. We asked our current federal man. He had no issues with a pre-1911 boiler, as long as the paperwork was in order. In fact he would allow the current 3 year old set of flues to remain in the boiler until 497 came do for extension, the take it one year at a time beyond that.
At the end of narrow gauge operations by the D&RGW, they had 3 K-37's in service: 493, 497 & 498. 497 was overhauled in the spring of 1967, ran that year, and never ran again under D&RGW ownership. Its "almost new" status was the reasoning for it being returned to service. 492 was overhauled in the 1963 time frame, and was set aside in 1966 with flue time remaining on its boiler. Until the new boiler regs went into place, we dutifully filed out of service reports on 492 every month.
As to why 493 or 498 never made it to Chama is a good question. My guess is whoever was selecting the motive power for the two states was told about the "pre 1911 rule" and was scared away from K37's by that. 492 was stored inside at Alamosa, and probably was as good a candidate as 493 or 498. 494 and 495 had been set aside and retired by the D&RGW in 1963, needing overhauls. They were purchased as a parts source and for display. "
