The story of USA 252 [D&RGW 472] illustrates how the Army's attitude and priorities changed significantly between March and October 1944.
The wreck of engine 252 and tank cars 12 and 15 was one of the few major accidents during the Army's lease of the WP&YR. Engine 252[472] was returned for possible repair in March 44, whereas between September and October 44 the rest of the seven K-28s were shipped to Seattle for sale or scrapping and 252 was shipped to Ogden.
The following excerpts from the 770th ROB weekly reports tell the story of the wreck and recovery of engine 252. The excerpt from "Steam in the Rockies - A Denver Rio Grande Roster" offers details of the disposal of the K-28s.
29 February 1944:
At approximately 5:25 PM, Extra 252 South, with Conductor Fields and Engineer Barkley, moving two cars of oil from Glacier to Skagway lost control of the train about 2 miles north of Clifton. Train was derailed about 1 mile north of Clifton turning engine tank over and both oil tanks, broke pipeline which was pumping oil. The oil was set afire and casued considerable damage to engine. Both oil tanks badly damaged and will probably be a complete loss. Ran work train from Skagway in an effort to clear up this derailment.
1 March 1944:
8:00 AM. Lt. Bogue reports from Clifton that he is not making much progress in picking up wreck at MP 9. Engine 252 and both tank cars are laying over on their side against bank. Both tanks are badly damaged and it is surmised that they will be a complete loss. Cab burned on Eng. 252, trucks driven up under engine, and generally in pretty bad shape. Sending D-8 Caterpillar tractor with winch to Clifton to attempt to straighten Engine 252.
2 March 1944:
Very high winds are reported all the way from Glacier to Bennett. Temperatures are hovering around the zero mark. Both derailed tank cars and tank of Engine 252 are in the clear at Glacier. Engine is in bad shape and it is going to take a lot of jacking to get her upright and near enough to track to attempt to rerail. We are sorely in need of some kind of a crane for lifting, as with block, tackle, and jacks it will be a painfully slow process.
2 March 1944:
Rear end of Eng. 252 jacked up and over against rail at 10:30 AM. With reasonable luck it is expected that this engine will be cleared around 6:00 or 7:00 PM.
2:15 PM. Reports from Clifton indicate that Engine 252 is in upright position. A pull was made but engine tended to lead away from tracks. Will require jacking.
5:15 PM. Caterpillar working at MP 9, damaged pipeline. The section foreman at Glacier closed check valves. Ran work extra 254 in from Clifton to pick up Standard 0il pipe gang. (Pipeline repaired and pump started at 1:30 AM 3rd)
6:30 PM. Engine 252 is rerailed and in the clear at Clifton thus opening the line all the way except for snow, which from all indications is going to be hard to clean out.
In "Steam in the Rockies - A Denver Rio Grande Roster" (published by the Colorado Railroad Museum October 1963) detailed information regarding the scrapping of these engines:
"Note: Nos. 473, 476, 478 in service in 1963. Nos. 470-2, 474-5, 477 and 479 were requisitioned by the U.S. Army in October 1942 for use on the White Pass & Yukon line in Alaska. Following this use, all except #472 were returned to Auburn, Wash., General Army Depot and stored until offered for sale by the War Assets Administration on December 7, 1945; they were purchased by M. Bloch & Co., Seattle, who scrapped them early in 1946. #472 was damaged and shipped from Skagway on March 24, 1944 to Seattle, and Northern Pacific Shops at Tacoma, then reshipped to Ogden, Utah, Supply Depot. Also offered on WAA sale of December 7, 1945, and
scrapped at Ogden in June, 1946, the boiler going to Pueblo Ord. Depot."
Note that the Army requisitioned and purchased the K-28s in August not October 1942.
Mike
