The Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (the Friends) are proud to report that we are more than 75% of the way toward returning Denver & Rio Grande Western steam engine 463 to operating service on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS). This locomotive is one of only two surviving K-27s, and is the only one stationed on its original home territory. Affectionately called the “Mud Hen,” the 463 has been given up for dead at numerous points in its life span, but through the commitment of rail enthusiasts and volunteers it has survived for more than 107 years. Please help us conquer its latest challenge by making a donation today. With your support, the 463 will once again climb the 4% grade between Chama, NM and Cumbres, CO, pulling a consist of vintage cars behind it!
HOW YOU CAN HELP – DONATE!!!!
We hope you will support our campaign to return the 463 to service. The Friends is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization; your contributions will be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. In appreciation for your contribution, we have some very special thank you gifts:
• For gifts of $100 or more, donors will receive a limited edition 463 collector’s pin • For gifts of $3500 or more, donors will receive a highly detailed model of 463 as an On3 or O30 model • For gifts of $5,000 or more, donors will have the privilege of a cab ride on the 463 from Chama to Cumbres.
Thank you for doing whatever you can to help restore this irreplaceable historic narrow gauge steam locomotive to service. Donations can be made by sending a check to:
Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc. Locomotive 463 Fund 4421 McLeod Road NE, Suite F Albuquerque, NM 87109
The 463 was part of the initial order of 15 2-8-2 narrow gauge locomotives built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1903 to haul more tonnage over the challenging mountainous terrain of the Southern Rockies and they served the system well for some 50 years. Later, the system was converted to standard gauge – and larger locomotives replaced them. 463 held on, seeing service on the Rio Grande Southern, and finally ending up in snow plow service on the Silverton branch in the 1950’s. In 1955, cowboy movie star Gene Autry purchased the locomotive, thus setting the stage for its ultimate survival. Mr. Autry wanted this locomotive to be a significant artifact on the Western History Street at his Melody Ranch in California. When a fire destroyed the Street, 463 miraculously survived and in 1972, the engine returned to its home territory by Mr. Autry’s donation of the locomotive to the town of Antonito, CO. It sat in static display until it was transferred to the C&TS, restored, and put into service in 1974. The 463 was a rail fan favorite and became the most photographed steam engine of the fleet!
In 2002, 463 needed a major overhaul and new Federal Railroad Administration made this a complicated and expensive project. The Friends took up the cause of restoring this priceless and unique locomotive to operational condition, meeting all FRA standards. The organization raised $660,000 from three major sources: a prestigious Federal Save America’s Treasures award, a donation from the Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation, and an award from the Colorado Historical Society. The Friends’ organization has also committed $100,000 in cash as well as significant volunteer hours.
Our original estimate of repair costs was $890,000; unfortunately, as is common in a project like this, once you take down a steam locomotive, there are unforeseen costs. In this case, the need for new driver boxes and more extensive boiler work result in higher costs than anticipated. The overall rebuild costs are now estimated to be $1million to return 463 to service, or $240,000 more than we have raised to date
PROGRESS TO DATE
Work on-going in Monte Vista, Colorado
The 463’s boiler has been at Historic Machinery Services in Alabama with work on it winding down. The boiler is scheduled to be delivered back to the Cumbres & Toltec in early June. The chassis is being worked on in a leased shop facility in Monte Vista, Colorado. By the end of October, the chassis and boiler will be reassembled at the railroad’s shop in Antonito. The tender’s work will also be completed at that location as well. The completed 463 will be steamed up for the start of the 2012 season!
