Alco built ten locomotives for Denver & Rio Grande Western in 1923, and three of these remarkable machines still call Durango home, powering the iconic “Silverton” trains since the 1950s. Here is the story of the first modern narrow gauge locomotive on Rio Grande and how it is posed to enter its second century of service.

Author Jerry Day spent 45 years compiling information and more than 300 photos, maps, track folios, drawings, and diagrams, including a three-page foldout drawing created by Mike McKenzie for this 200+ page volume. In addition, you will find the history of D&RGW’s purchase of the K-28s, the operational history on the lines they ran, and the history of K-28 snow fighting operations, special passenger runs, wrecks & mishaps, movie appearances, locomotive modifications and changes, and how the K-28s operate today on the Durango & Silverton railroad. Includes an appendix with the complete D&RGW/Alco specs for the locomotives.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

K-28 TERRITORY MAP

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PREFACE REFLECTIONS

CHAPTER 1: NEW POWER COMES TO THE NARROW GAUGE

CHAPTER 2: K-28 OPERATIONAL HISTORY - THIRD DIVISION

CHAPTER 3: K-28 OPERATIONAL HISTORY - FOURTH DIVISION

CHAPTER 4: K-28s AND DELUXE VARNISH

CHAPTER 5: K-28s GO SKIING

CHAPTER 6: K-28s FIGHTING SNOW

CHAPTER 7: SANTA RIDES THE K-28s

CHAPTER 8: K-28s IN THE MOVIES

CHAPTER 9: K-28s IN HAWAII AND ALASKA

CHAPTER 10: K-28s ON DURANGO & SILVERTON

CHAPTER 11: REPAIRS, MODIFICATIONS, & UPGRADES

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

INDEX

K-28 FOLDOUT DRAWING BY MIKE McKENZIE