The D&RGW K-36 class consisted of ten narrow-gauge 2-8-2 locomotives built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925.
The class represented another major increase in power over the K-28s.
The “36” designation referred approximately to 36,000 pounds of tractive effort.
K-36 locomotives were designed primarily for heavy road work on the Rio Grande’s remaining narrow-gauge main lines.
Their outside-frame construction, larger boilers, and strong running gear allowed longer trains on demanding mountain grades.
The locomotives became particularly important on the San Juan Extension through Chama and Durango.
Because large parts of that route survived into preservation, many K-36 locomotives escaped scrapping.
Today examples operate on both Durango & Silverton and Cumbres & Toltec.
Fuel policy now differs by railroad and locomotive: D&SNG converted its active steam fleet to oil, while C&TS continues to operate several K-36s on coal and converted No. 489 to oil.
For TransitSatellite, class imagery should not assume one current tender or fuel arrangement. The preserved K-36 population is large enough that individual identity matters.