<kuid:648132:101715> D&RGW C-48 Black Jacket

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The Denver & Rio Grande Western's C-48 class was a group of fairly typical 57 inch driver-equipped consolidations built in the first decade of the 20th century. American Locomotive Company (ALCo) produced the locomotives in six batches. The first four batches, including numbers 1131 through 1148 and 1180 through 1199, were constructed in 1906. The last two batches followed in 1908. The first four batches were delivered with Stephenson valve gear while the later engines were delivered with Walscharets valve gear. Engines built with Stephenson gear were rebuilt with either Baker or Walscharets valve gear by the mid-1930s. Although originally saturated, all engines appear to have been superheated by the mid-1930s as well.

Initially, the Denver & Rio Grande classified the engines as Class 220 (derived from engine weight.) After the D&RG was reorganized as the D&RGW in 1924, the engines were reclassified as C-48 (Consolidation, 48,000 lbs tractive effort.) From construction into the 1920s, the class could be found in most roles, including the occasional passenger train. However, duties assigned the 220s/C-48s standardized on local freight and switching service by the 1930s. Throughout their service lives, these engines could be found anywhere on the standard gauge portions of the Rio Grande. Most notably, they worked out of several major dual gauge terminals. Many examples worked out of Alamosa, CO in particular, where they were occasionally called on to lead trains of narrow gauge cars to Antonito.

Retirement of the C-48 class began in earnest in 1947, but many engines remained in service into 1956, the final year of standard gauge steam operations on the Rio Grande. The Creede Branch was the last bastion of the type, with 1136 and 1151 operating the line between Alamosa and Creede, CO in the fourth quarter of 1956. On December 26, 1956, 1151 ran a caboose hop from South Fork to Alamosa. When 1151's fire was dropped that evening, 75 years of standard gauge steam operations on the Rio Grande came to an end. Number 1151 was officially retired the following day. No examples of the class were preserved.

Specifications
Drivers: 57 in.
Cylinders: 24 in. x 28 in.
Weight: 220,400 lbs
Boiler pressure: 200 psi
Grate area: 49 square feet
Total production: 68