Re: NNG(L-131 live steamer at royal gorge)

Guys,

I love any and all discussion about this massive live steamer. I'm glad to hear more about how Ralph was able to get this engine to negotiate his 50' radius curves. It ultimately gives an interested buyer who wishes to have a legitimate operating grand scale engine some ammunition to talk Lee Merrick down from a very unrealistic $100K. I first saw this engine when I was about 3 years old (might have been younger) staring up at it on Ralph's elevated track in the roundhouse. I've been pretty messed up ever since! I later got to study the engine more and thought he simply made smaller-than-scale drivers to shorten the wheelbase and thereby make it a little easier to get around those curves. For comparison, the Seymour Johnson-designed 3" scale 15" gauge Hudsons will negotiate an 80' radius curve and sharper if there is no grade to contend with.

Does anyone know what happened to the RS-1 diesel and the Shay? I understand that Lee Merrick did not keep all the equipment.

Rob Gardner