Herb:
I like to see this stuff operate as much as anyone. I have been researching and writing about D&RGW MOW equipment since the 60s. But, unique, one-of-a-kind historic aircraft have been destroyed while flying at air shows.
An example would be Rotary OY. The poor thing almost came apart last time it was used. The D&RGW never operated it the way it has been used on the C&TS. The Rio Grande ran it Jan-March or early April at the latest when the snow was mostly powder. They never ran it in May when the snow was hard packed or ice. OY has not been used for 11 years and probably never will be again. I am glad I saw it run (helps with my book projects to have seen one run), but I hope it is preserved rather than used up.
Jerry Day
Longmont, CO