Re: Different appearances

For the most part there were two types of K-36. The variation was mostly on the smokebox front. If you look at photo of the 483 and then the 484 you will see the slight difference. The 483 has a differnet front hand rail than the 484.
The 483 are semetrical where the 484's are higher on the left side and not on the right side. Also the 484's handrail ends under the footrest, which a different size than the 483's.
Now that we have that covered...
The Type A's are 480, 482, 484, 487, 488.
The Type B's are 481, 483, 485, 486, 489.
So it seems that the A's are all the Even Numbered (Except the 487) while the B' are all the odd's except the 486. Did the 486 and 487 get mixed up at the Baldwin shops? Or since they are in numberic Baldwin Builders numbers did Baldwin install 487's smokebox front on 486? Or Did the D&RGW switch them later?
Minor variations popped up over the years as well.
When the large Cab Vents were installed on the K-36's the 484, 485 and 488 never got them.
488 Got a new tender circa 1948-1950 and the notch in the tender is at 90 Degrees not at the 45 Degree slope that came with the k-36 Tenders
Some Answers and more questions....
Kevin Cook