Elvas Tower: D&RGWT-12 Locomotive 169 - Elvas Tower

169 was built in a batch of 12 locomotives by Baldwin in 1883-84. It was initially D&RG 169 Class 47½, and became D&RGW 169 class T-12 in 1924.

The T-12 class had large 45” driving wheels and was one of the fastest NG locomotives built, and were able to pull 11 cars 40+ mph on level track. Because of this, they were the primary passenger locomotives for the Rio Grande System until the K series locomotives appeared. Old time engineers referred to them as “Sewing Machines” for their smoothness and stability at speed.

169 served in every division of the D&RG and worked out of Denver, Pueblo, Alamosa, Salida, and Grand Junction, and is probably best known for its service on the Chili Line where it ran between Alamosa and Santa Fe.

Helper engines were required to assist the T-12’s whenever substantial grades were encountered. When K-27’s were the helpers they were cut in behind the T-12 so they didn’t pull the long wheel-based and light 4-6-0 off the rails on the curves!

169 was removed from service in 1938, and later removed from storage and refurbished for display at the 1939 - 1940 Worlds Fair. After the fair it was donated to the city of Alamosa, where it is on display and undergoing a slow restoration today. 169's only remaining sibling, 168, is on currently on display at Colorado Springs.

This model was made from plans by Ken Pruitt and John Maxwell. Additional detail was obtained by visiting both 168 and 169, and photographs from Herb Kelsey and the Denver Public Library. Howard Saunders performed the initial testing and file tweaking, Herb Kelsey contributed much technical information, and performed final testing and packaging for uploading, and Tom Werb provided the customized crew. The screenie is by Herb Kelsey.

Enjoy, Bill

Original File Name = T-12_Upload.zip