Trinidad in Las Animas County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Last Coal Burning Steam Engine
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 10, 2010
1. The Last Coal Burning Steam Engine Marker
Engine 638 was manufactured in 1906 and put into service with the Colorado & Southern R.R. for service at Trinidad for hauling coal, cattle, agricultural products and general merchandise. Later the engine saw service in other areas of Colorado.
The last coal driven steam engine in service with the C & S, engine 638 was retired to this final location in a dedication ceremony that was held on February 10, 1963.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 37° 10.108′ N, 104° 30.564′ W. Marker is in Trinidad, Colorado, in Las Animas County. It is on Purgatoire Drive west of North Animas Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is a large metal plaque mounted at waist-level on the barrier fence surrounding the locomotive, tender, car and caboose exhibit. Marker is located at the front end of the exhibit, directly in front of the locomotive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 638 Purgatoire Drive, Trinidad CO 81082, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Fitzgerald Kennedy (within shouting distance of this marker); City's First Fire Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Public Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Viet-Nam War Memorial (about 600 feet away); World War II Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Welcome to Colorado / Trinidad Country / Trinidad / Army of the West (about 600 feet away); Trinidad (about 700 feet away); Trinidad Schools and the Sisters of Charity (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Trinidad.
Also see . . . Steam Engine 638. Atlas Obscura website entry (Submitted on February 2, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 10, 2010
2. The Last Coal Burning Steam Engine Marker (wide view)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 10, 2010
3. Locomotive, tender, car & caboose exhibit (wide view; marker partially visible far right)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 10, 2010
4. Colorado & Southern R.R. Locomotive #638
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 10, 2010
5. Colorado & Southern R.R. Locomotive #638 (cab view)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 10, 2010
6. Coal Tender
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,131 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
