To backdate the Overland to that time period, it will need a different tender and aux water car.
This is a loose timeline I worked on some time ago. It is in need of updating, but the tender and color questions remain the same. I haven't been abler to narrow down exactly when it was painted gray but the 1/19/46 photo by Perry shows it with gray paint that is obviously not new. Most of this information came from Jerry Day but any inaccuracies are my doing. Hopefully he can chime in with some more information.
D&RGW OM Timeline
1/1889 Built by Cooke Locomotive Works Leslie #24
2/28/89 D&RG Rotary 1 delivered to Denver No tender provided. Supplied by RR. Assigned to Alamosa
1903 Automatic couplers applied
1907 Renumbered to OM
1908 Used on Floresta Br.
1909 Overhauled at Burnham
1913 Used on Floresta Br.
1/1919 US safety appliances applied
1916 used on Silverton br and damaged
10/24/16 Repaired and overhauled
1919 used on Chili Line
1925 stationed Chama
1926 All rotaries connected RH steam so always ready. OM outside
1930 OM in Antonito with large OM
1935 Probably aux tender assigned has large OM.
1935 Actual tender still has large OM and rear collar is still intact.
1935 Probable date exterior bracing was installed
8/7/37 has small lettering. Rear of tender collar has been removed. Jackson Photo says Salida
5/1938 in Chama with small OM rear collar is missing Maxwell photo
7/1940 Chama in Red DeWattering photo
1/19/46 Chama Gray and not new paint. Perry photo
1/1957 Last verified use by D&RGW
1958 UTLX 11007 converted to 0471
9/5/58 OM with 0471 in Chama Payne Photo
1961 OM original aux probably scrapped
6/1961 original tender retired AFE 4955
12/1962 Overhauled, Water car W-499 assigned as tender
