One hundred years ago this month, the American Locomotive Co. of Schenectady, N.Y., completed the manufacture and delivery of 10 K-28 class steam locomotives to the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. They began service throughout the Colorado narrow gauge lines in October 1923. Seven of the engines were sent to Alaska for the war effort in 1942, not to return. The three remaining engines were assigned to the Durango-Silverton tourist line in the 1950s. This photo shows engine No. 473 crossing the highway near Shalona Lake. The yellow “bumblebee” paint scheme seen here was used for a time after the 1952 movie “Denver & Rio Grande.” The locomotives and tenders were painted in that pattern for use in the technicolor film, though it was not historically accurate. By the 1960s, the color scheme was retired. The Animas Museum will host a talk about these engines on July 22 by noted train photographer Jerry Day. In October, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will run special trains to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the K-28 class acquisition. – Ed Horvat for Animas Museum, [email protected] (Catalog Number: 86.19.22 from the La Plata County Historical Society Photo Collections)
