489
K-36 Locomotive

At Chama. May 28, 2005. Photo: Curt Bianchi. Click image for larger size.

Number:	489
Type:	Locomotive
Class:	K-36
Category:	Motive Power
Year Built:	1925
Manufacturer:	Baldwin
How Acquired:	Purchased from D&RGW, 1970.

Winter 1988-9

The boiler received its fourth extension. It was anticipated that it would require a complete overhaul in 1989-1990, probably requiring replacement of the rear flue sheet, and possibly the front flue sheet. The engine was jacked up to allow spring rigging work. The main and intermediate rod bushings were replaced, and other adjustments were made in the running gear. Minor repairs were made to the firebox, and a new cab floor was installed. [Dispatch 2-2]

Winter 1989-90

The major project of the C&TS shop crew during the winter of 1989-1990. The boiler tubes were removed, and the boiler de-scaled. The condition of the tubes was good and they were reused. The boiler jacket was removed along with all of the lagging, to permit a visual inspection of the boiler exterior. A section of the rear flue sheet (the upper rear tube sheet) where it bends and meets the firebox crownsheet was replaced. (Over the years, the tube sheet had been welded many times, and this year a replacement was necessary.) Additional items on 489 included rebuilding both the mechanical lubricator (oil cylinders and valves) and the main and side-rod bushings. [Dispatch 3-1]

Winter 1990-1

The locomotive was reported to be ready for service except for some normal maintenance work to be completed in early 1991. [Dispatch 4-1]

Winter 1991-2

Flexible staybolt inspection required removing the cab plumbing and the jacket and lagging from the rear of the boiler. The boiler was hydrostatically tested. Running gear work was scheduled for this winter as well. [Dispatch 5-1]

Winter 1992-3

One of three major projects in the Chama shop during the winter of 1992-93 was the rebuilding of 489’s running gear. The drive wheels were sent to the D&SNG for tire turning and journal truing. Seven new crown brasses were fitted to the driving boxes, and the pins and bushings in the spring rigging were rebuilt. [Dispatch 6-1, 7-1]

1993

The locomotive returned to service in August. [Dispatch 6-1, 7-1]

Winter 1993-4

Because 489 ran relatively few miles in 1993, very little work needed to be done to it. [Dispatch 7-1]

Winter 1994-5

489 was under flue extension and received a one-year extension in November. During the 1993 season, the engine developed a running gear problem which resulted in rapid wear of the number 1 side rod bushings. After a little over one season in service, the bushings were completely worn out. The number 1 and 2 drivers were removed and sent to the D&SNG for examination, and it was found that the number 2 pair was slightly out of quarter. The drivers were repaired and 489 was reassembled. The engine also received some valve gear bushing and crosshead reaming work. [Dispatch 8-2]

Winter 1995-6

489 was due for its five-year external boiler inspection. All of the plumbing, jacket, and lagging were removed from the boiler along with the flexible staybolt caps. With the inspection completed, the boiler was relagged, and the jacket and plumbing were reinstalled.

489 was also under flue extension, and received a one-year extension in November. Because the engine was under flue extension, requiring that the smokebox be opened every winter, 489’s snowplow was replaced with a conventional pilot. 489 was also due for spring rigging work along with overhaul of the pilot and trailing trucks. [Dispatch 9-1]

Winter 1996-7

The engine was granted another one-year flue extension. According to Dispatch 10-1, the locomotive was scheduled to get its valve gear overhauled and new side and main rod bushings. Like the other K-36s, 489 was to receive new turret valves. It returned to service in July. [Dispatch 10-1, 11-1]

Winter 1997-8

489 was granted another one-year flue extension in November. The locomotive was not in need of major repairs and only routine maintenance was scheduled. [Dispatch 11-1]

Winter 1998-9

489 was granted another one-year flue extension in November. After reassembly, it was pressed into service on the plow and Santa Claus trains in December. Afterwards, it returned to Chama and was scheduled to get new piston rings and a new cab floor. It was reported that 489’s flues, which were the next oldest to the 487’s, were in pretty rough shape on the firebox end, and it was planned to re-flue the engine in the winter of 1999-2000. There were also plans to do limited running gear repairs on the engine. The lead drivers were re-tired, and the engine was returned to service in early June 1999. The running gear was described as being on borrowed time, but good enough to finish the season. [Dispatch 12-1, 12-2, 12-3]

Winter 1999-2000

The engine was granted another one-year flue extension in November. There were no reports in the Dispatch about other work performed on this engine during the winter. It was deemed in “pretty good condition,” and was in operation on opening day. [Dispatch 12-4, 13-2]

Winter 2000-1

489 had been on flue extension for several years. Immediately after the 2000 season, the engine was prepared for its flue extension inspection. It was inspected by the FRA November 20-21. This included the included the portions of the new CFR 49 Part 230 Steam Locomotive Inspection and Maintenance Standards that had to be completed by January 18, 2001. The inspection revealed several fire-cracked flues at the rear sheet that required changing. After those tubes were removed, radial cracks were detected in the sheet itself. The sheet containing the lower bundle of small tubes was thin in some areas. (The upper half of the sheet was replaced in 1990.) It was decided to replace the lower half of the sheet rather than to weld up the cracks or to risk further cracking, even though previous hydrostatic tests of the boiler did not indicate any leaks. Rather than spending an inordinate amount of time descaling and safe-ending the existing tubes, the shop crew replaced the 98 tubes. [Dispatch 14-2]

Winter 2001-2

489 was taken out of service at the end of the 2001 season. While a flue extension was requested, it was determined that the extension would not be granted due to the number of previous flue extensions. To return to service, the locomotive needed both running gear and boiler work. In particular, it needed to conform to the 49 CRF Part 230 requirements. [Dispatch 15-1]

2003

489 remained out of service in 2003. During the season, 489’s boiler was stripped bar and the cab removed to facilitate the boiler survey as part of the inspections required by the new 49 CRF Part 230 Steam Locomotive Inspection and Maintenance Standards. [Conductor 1-1]

2004

Volunteers rehabilitated the cab of this locomotive. They removed all interior attachments, the side window sashes, and rear drop windows. With the interior stripped to the wood lining, the lining was degreased, cleaned, and sanded to remove flaking paint and minor defects. The lining required a few minor repairs. Where possible, bends and dents in the exterior steel sheets were corrected. Carpentry work still needed to be completed, and the interior will need to be painted. [Dispatch 17-4]

Winter 2004-5

489 remained out of service in 2004. In 2003, the 489 was stripped down to the boiler shell in anticipation of the approval of another EDA grant. This did not transpire. The 489 was moved into the west bay of the old Chama roundhouse to complete the interior blasting of the boiler and the water space around the firebox. Obvious staybolts to be replaced and portions of the side sheets and the door sheet of the firebox were cut out to assist in access for a thorough job blasting and in anticipation of needed repairs. The exterior of the boiler was also prepared for ultrasonic testing by grinding several small circular areas within each one-foot square grid. [Dispatch 18-1]