Re: Central City Narrow Gauge Raiload

Hey there C&S fans,

I rode with the 71 practically on the first day that Cort ran it, and it derailed the tender as the tender ran over the chain-truck retainers that were hanging down from the new tender frame rebuild.

Anyway after the un-nice end of the operation with money problems and all the engine was not "moth-balled" properly. So as I saw it in the first winter after not running it was sitting with a boiler half full of water waiting for the next fire up....

Although Cort said the engine had a major rebuild by the C&S just before being put on display. He said that you still see the machine marks on the crown brasses. They only had to replace about 9 Staybolt caps to get the boiler up and running.

So giving the history, the engine has to be in worst shape now than when it was on display all those years. How many seasons of running wear that it expierence und Cort operation. Unknown service and firing inuse and freezing water in the Boiler and all steam accessories. So figure most piping, air pump, injectors, cylinders etc. Then a form 4...

Say the engine need to be completely torn down and rebuild but "probably" no major boiler or running gear work.

So the status would be it is all there and is doable just bring money, probably less than the work and cost of the 346 in Golden, I'd guess around the $300,000 range. But this is not a real educated guess. The 71 is probably in the best shape of all C&S engines but doomed to remain stuffed and mounted in a gambling town...

Thor