The motors (geese) are easier to transport. Number 2 is the best restored of the museum geese although as I understand it, #7 should be getting put back together sometime soon. A goose can go down on a single semi and they weigh in at a small fraction of a steamer. Not sure if they want to mess around much with the #6 since she doesn't haul passengers in a real safe mode (having to climb up in the bed...)
Keith, since he drives trucks anjd is a museum volunteer took the #2 (motor) down to Durango - I guess he donated his time. So perhaps just fuel and wear and tear on the equipment (and insurance on the locomotive) is all it would cost... Not sure. Keith might know better.
But that being said, I understand that it has not been ruled out yet that the #20 will "stay put" at the museum. Someone donated a lot of money to see her restored and there might be a stipulation that she will get out and travel provided the funds are made available. I do not know and that's really between the mueseum and the benefactor. The more money donated, the more likely she'll travel.
Ideally, the 20 would travel to the C&TS by rail as I think it would be cheaper - providing it can be loaded and unloaded easily.
Now it's my turn for PIE-IN-THE-SKY. Perhaps #20 can do a summer excursion on the C&TS then go to Durango for Railfest and then back to C&TS for some fall stock trains before heading back to Denver over La Veta. That would defray the cost of shipping from Denver as well as the shipping Chama to Durango (and Golden to Denver - however THAT would be worked out.) I guess it IS possible for a shoefly to be built across 44th to the disconnected spur where the rotary sat and on to a couple flats. But it does not make sense for the BNSF to have to rebuild the switch on their branchline. It'd be better to truck the equipment perhaps back into the Golden Yard for loading. Perhaps?
But oil prices go up and up. And people are not willing to travel as much with the higher prices. I believe that the #20 might be a large enough draw to maybe break even, perhaps even put a little money in the coffers.
How did RGS Motor #5 do this year at C&TS? I heard they cancelled a run due to lack of riders. That might be a good indicator of how well these future "special runs" are received by Joe Q. Railfan.
