Re: C-16 283

hi Paul,

My uncle Keith Brown has been searching for photos of 283 since about 1960, he reckons, squinting at every unidentified C-16 photo in Sacramento, DPL, Dorman collection, etc., and has asked me to post his research & thoughts to the forum. There is very little to find of Rio Grande-era 283, but he has a couple images/thoughts to add to the discussion.

- another Engineer's side photo: the road engine of this Valley Line double-header is likely 283: RD094-083
Here is a clip of the loco:

The visible features are a strong match to the Otto Perry 283 photo, in particular the distinctive builder's plate. The print in Alamosa, Salida, & the Valley Line p. 38 is quite small, this would be a good pic to purchase in high-resolution from the Friends.

- fireman's side 3/4 rear view: Narrow Gauge Pictorial Vol. XI p. 25, photo available from California State RR Museum (here is the reference: CSRM 4509, you may need to email the Library to request it). Earl describes the photo in this post. 283 is shown sitting high on jacks with the wheels, rods, & headlight removed, no tender, inside the NCNG's long shed in Grass Valley, CA. Aside from the noted omissions, the photo appears to show 283 in its end-stage as built by the D&RGW, at the moment just prior to its rebuilding into NCNG 8. It show the original Rio Grande cab, Rio-Grande-style twin 9 1/2" air pumps (in contrast to the mismatched compound pump single stage rear pump rebuilt with lower part [air] seemingly from an 8" or 8 1/2" pump), and original firebox doors (for coal). The photo reveals that 283's fireman's side -- and overall format -- were quite similar to the 268. And it provides a valuable reference to discern what parts of NCNG 8 was originated from D&RGW 283.

Keith actually discovered this photo while picking though the CA RR Museum archives in Sacramento, misfiled under a southern-California standard gauge short line. He alerted the collection to its proper category and showed a copy to Robert Grandt, who published it in NG Pictorial XI.

Remaining Unknowns
- whether 283 kept its Otto Perry tender or swapped by the late 20s/early 30s.
- when did 283 receive twin air pumps? Keith notes 283's similar format to 268 and RGS 41, and speculates that 283 could have been among their early batch of dual airpump conversions. In any case, it likely that its twin pumps were in place well before your 1929 era. We expect that little would have changed between 1929 and the 1933 shop photo.

Paul, if you are interested in modeling 283 and/or would like to discuss this further with Keith directly, PM me and I'll put you in touch.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2023 10:18AM by Shavano479.