Ridgway preservation "what If" (pics)

The discussion of the end of RGS K-27 # 455 was interesting and begs a bigger question; “what if” the entire Ridgway yard had been preserved as a living museum? If you look at what was left at that point in time (1952-3) you could have purchased and created an instant “operating” RR museum that included the two K-27’s # 455 & 461, C-17 # 42, caboose # 0400, passenger cars, geese and freight equipment that was available for $250 per car. Including all the buildings, tools and equipment, roundhouse along with the real estate of the entire yard would have likely been under $25,000 total for everything in 1953 (approx. equivalent to $ 200,000 today). Other than the Westside Tuolumne yard I am wondering if anyone can think of a better “missed opportunity” at preserving an intact narrow gauge facility, including equipment, in the modern (post WWII era).

AG Chione photos circa 1952 from the Center of Southwest Studies, Ft. Lewis College