The Denver and Rio Grande Western K-27 is a class of 3 ft narrow gauge 2-8-2 "Mikado" type steam locomotives built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1903. Known by their nickname "Mudhens," they were the first and the most numerous of the four K classes of Rio Grande narrow gauge engines to be built. Of the original fleet of locomotives, two survive to this day and operate on heritage railways in the United States. Fifteen locomotives were built, originally class 125, they were reclassified as K-27s in 1924 when the Denver and Rio Grande became the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. In the D&RGW's classification system, K was short for MiKado while 27 referred to the engine's 27,000 lbf of tractive effort. The K-27s were built as Vauclain compounds, with two cylinders on each side, expanding the steam once in the smaller cylinder and then a second time in the larger one. The extra maintenance costs of the two cylinders were greater than the fuel saving, so they were converted to simple expansion in 1907–1909. As a result, the K-27s were the Rio Grande's last purchase of compound locomotives. They were built with their main structural frames outside the driving wheels, with the counterweights and rods attached outside the frames.
They pulled freight, passenger and mixed trains on the D&RGW in and over the Colorado Rocky Mountains, traversing the entire length of the railroad. Many of them also spent time on the Rio Grande's subsidiary, the Rio Grande Southern. In later years, some were used as switchers at the D&RGW's yards in Durango, Gunnison and Montrose.
The last two K-27s built survive today. D&RGW No. 463 was sold to cowboy actor and singer Gene Autry in May 1955. Autry never used the Mudhen and donated it to the City of Antonito, Colorado. It was restored by and entered into service on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) in 1994. It was taken out of service with a broken side rod in 2002. In 2009, it was moved to the railroad's shop at Chama, New Mexico where a major rebuild was performed. The engine made its inaugural run after the rebuild on the C&TSRR on May 20, 2013. No. 463 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 as Engine No. 463.
The other K-27 in existence is D&RGW No. 464. It was the last K-27 in service on the D&RGW, retiring from active duty in 1962. It sat outside in Durango, Colorado until it was sold to Knott's Berry Farm, an amusement park in Buena Park, California, in 1973. It saw little or no use there, in part because of its condition and in part because of the counterweight clearance problem described above. The Huckleberry Railroad in Genesee Township, Michigan, near Flint, acquired the locomotive in 1981, did an eight-year restoration on it, and put it into active service. It last saw steam in early 2019 and is currently awaiting its next overhaul.
Recorded from Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad #463
While recorded from a K-27 2-8-2, this file can be used for smaller locomotives in many wheel arrangments.
Whistles:
CV163=0 C&T #463
CV163=1 DRGW 484
CV163=2 DRGW 488
CV163=3 DRGW 5-Chime
CV163=4 DRG 5-Chime
CV163=5 DRGW 436
CV163=6 DRGW 484 #2
CV163=7 DRGW 488 #2
CV163=8 SP 4449
CV163=9 Hooter
Bells:
CV164=0 #3 HVSR Bell 1
CV164=1 D&RGW 346 Bell
CV164=2 Rope Pull Bell
CV164=3 SOO Line 1003 Bell
CV164=4 D&RGW K27 Bell
Brake Squeal:
CV165=0 Brake Squeal #1 Long
CV165=1 Brake Squeal #1 Short
CV165=2 Brake Squeal #2 Long
CV165=3 Brake Squeal #2 Short
CV165=4 Brake Squeal #3 Long
CV165=5 Brake Squeal #4Short
Dynamos:
CV166=0 Soo Line 1003 Dynamo
CV166=1 K27 463 Dynamo
CV166=2 T16.1 Dynamo
Air Pumps
CV167=0 Cross Compound #1 Soo Line 1003
CV167=1 Cross Compound #2 K27 463
CV167=2 Single Stage #1 Z27
CV167=3 Westinghouse Single Stage 9" Air Pump HVSR #3
Reversers
CV168=0 Johnson Bar
CV168=1 Power Reverse
The ESU Full Throttle Steam files now include a few new logic features for added operational realism while still leaving you in control of HOW YOU wish to run your locomotive.
Heavy Load: F9 by default.
Similar to the “Drive Hold” button on the Full Throttle Diesel files “Heavy Load” allows you to adjust the “Steam Cut Off Valve” at any speed allowing for a fierce full chuff or drifting with snifters and rod clanks. Heavy load can also act as an offset allowing speed adjustments when engaged if desired.
Coast: F4 by default.
Opposite of “Heavy Load” Coast allows for a negative offset allow drifting sounds of Rods and snifter valves at any speed. You again have the option to hold the speed to adjust the speed with this offset active. Even allowing for an increase of speed with no chuffs as if drifting downhill.
Independent brake: F10 by default
Identical to the Full Throttle Diesel files. This allows for the locomotive to stop more quickly than its regular momentum would normally carry it. This one is pretty self-explanatory – just press the brake and come to a stop! For additional options there are 3 Braking rates that can be set up for user preference.
Articulation: Sound Slot 2
By adding Sound Slot 2 to the F8 Function Mapping and enabling the "Secondary Trigger" (CV250) you can add a second set of drivers making any ESU Steam File articulated.
Function Mappable Air Horn: F21 by default
Sound Slot 21.
Many Steam locomotives had a single chime airhorn equipped. Those modelling SP, MILW, and others can now have this feature and put it where they would like in the function mapping in addition to the whistle.
S0839 - Release Notes
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V-3 R-3:
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- updated independent brake
- updated boiler hiss
- updated steam chuff sound slot
V-4 R-4:
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- changed whistle sound slot 3 maximum sound slot speed to 128