Narrow Gauge Railroad Discussion Forum
This is a forum for the discussion of narrow gauge and steam railroading with a primary emphasis on railroads operating in the US. While discussions of modeling are welcome, please try to limit such discussions to issues relating to the prototype. This forum is not associated with any organization or group, and the authors of each post are solely responsible for the content of their post.
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This board is owned and operated by Don Richter. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Herb Kelsey, Everett Lueck, Bill Ramaley, Rod Jensen, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes, and Doug van Veelen.Wouldn't it make more sense to take one of the K37's from Antonito, either 494 or 495, and "pretty it up" and use that for the display engine in Chama???
Here is my logic.
(1) Both engines have never operated on the C&TS since the Rio Grande days. It can serve a good purpose in Chama just like the one in Antonito.(I forgot which is on display there now).
(2) It may need less cosmetic work to get it ready.
(3) You can simply truck it over there, like they did with engines to Cumbres when Lobato was burned. You are going to have to pay someone to move anything as it is now, even 483.
(4) 483 should remain on the C&TS property, and a long term goal of possible operation, or at the very least a special exhibit made for this engine that C&TS Patrons and historians can enjoy on the property.
After all this was the last Rio Grande freight engine to operate, and the first steam engine to operate on the C&TS(moving equipment in 1970).
If any engine were going to be vandalized or stuffed and mounted forever, then I would prefer to see 494 or 495 in that role, versus 483.
I am still in favor of 483 being fixed up, but I don't think putting it on permanent display in Chama is the best use of it.
Give Chama one of the derelict 490's which will be better than languishing in Antonito.
Just another point of view on the matter for consideration.
I wonder how much pulling all those parts off 483 over the years will cost folks in the future to have those parts manufactured especially for K36's now!!! Money could be set-aside for that sort of thing perhaps with the long-term goal of restoration. Or, send it to Durango, let them restore it, and run it there for 10 years as payback for the restoration, and then return to Chama!!!
Greg
An alternative Steam engine for Chama 
D&RGW engine number 375, photographed: Durango, Colo., October 18, 1941.
Photo courtesy of the Denver Public Library Digital Image Collection catalog number OP-7532.