Re: Destroying historic equipment

John,
I agree with your sentiments. However, I am not sure that the Friends were behind this lamentable action. It looks like it was more the operator in this case-- Yes, I know, many of the same personalities are or have been involved with both the Friends and the current operating group. I really think that what this latest episode indicates is the need for some historical oversight of the rolling stock and equipment so that historical equipment is not similarly destroyed in the future. There is so much good that the Friends and the various operators have done for the railroad's equipment over the years, but this recent incident with the butchery of the pipe gon indicates to me that we need some sort of historic oversight of the rolling stock. We should not lose sight of the fact that the C&TS was established to preserve a part of Colorado and New Mexico railroad history. It was never meant to be a 1:1 scale toy train for certain people. I know it is often pointed out that the states bought the line for economic development purposes, but that was an argument used to sell the legislators on the idea. However, the principle purpose behind the C&TS always was and should still be that of preserving a very historic narrow gauge railroad. There are a lot of us that do not want to see any more incidents like the destruction of this rare and historic pipe gon.
Bill M.