Cumbres And Toltec 483 

The former D&RGW #483, a Baldwin K-36 Locomotive, was the first steam locomotive to run on the newly formed Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad back in 1970. Formerly a favorite of the D&RGW crews, the 483 was a mainstay at the C&TS until 1977, when she was set aside because she was pretty thoroughly worn out. With other engines as better restoration candidates, the 483 was parked and became a parts source for her sisters, looking more and more like a skeleton with each passing year, as the grass grew up around her on the Chama dead-line. She hasn't turned a wheel in 40 years. Although there are lots of steam locomotives in similar or much worse shape around the US, the 483 is unique in that she's the only survivor of her class that is not operational. Of the 10 K-36s built, one (485) was scrapped after taking a tumble into a turntable pit in 1955, but 8 others are currently in service. Four are on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, and 4 more serve the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Only the 483 sits idle. Although parts of this film are dark, I thought it was worth preserving in its entirety. Shot on 50 feet of super 8 Ektachrome