Re: Why Montana?

The Friends are going to Alder Gulch to trade our labor in helping the state of Montana fix up the place as there are very few local people who can do the work. The state has given a list of things that they would like the Friends do on their behalf. Lots of brush clearing and nailing and painting of the cars as well as moving them to a location so they don't block the view of the railroad from the road.

The Friends in turn are getting four UTLX arch bar trucks that are sitting under the F&CC box cars. We will trade them with ones in lesser condition and take them back to Antonito for refurbishment. When that is finished, they will go under two of the narrow frame tank cars that have the incorrect trucks under them now.

Those trucks will be refurbished and put under the frameless Gramps cars that are sitting on the ground outside the Antonito CRF building with the goal of Gramps cars once again riding the line between Chama and Antonito. Chris Trunk who wrote the article about the Gramps cars in last years Dispatch is heading the team to start their restoration.

Lots of work ahead, but should be a win-win for both groups as we can provide them with something they need, and hopefully provide a model of how our group works so the Montana group can do the same.

Thanks Dave! Your lead paid off!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2009 08:57PM by John Cole.