Cosmetic Restoration VS. Operational Restoration

Cosmetic Restoration VS. Operational Restoration
The Colorado Railroad Museum has become an un- intentional participant in a NGDF thread concerning methods and realities of narrow gauge locomotive rebuilding and upkeep.
As the current CMO of CRRM I would like to publicly apologize for any grief experienced here on the form and especially to all the shop crew of the C&TS. Recent posts from a mis-informed person volunteering at CRRM were not only inappropriate, but also in accurate and just plain wrong.
Let me clear the air with respect to CRRM's current abilities in maintaining steam locomotives in an operational state . Although CRRM has been fortunate enough to acquire a 5 stall round house with pit and minimal machine tool support, we still are totally dependent on outside contractors to maintain the operational state of our operating locomotives. The work done at Strasburg RR. to our engine 346 a few years back and the current work being done to RGS 20 demonstrate this reality. Our recent restoration of engine 491 cannot be grouped with the realities of maintaining a fleet of locomotives operating at tonnage on a 64 mile railroad such as the C&TS.
The only reason the 491 is operational today is because there was nothing wrong with the boiler, running gear and valve gear. The 491 did require all the appliances to be reworked or replaces as a lot was missing. A fair amount of pluming was replaced. The grease cellars for the drivers were converted to oil cellars and repacked with new pads. The journal boxes for the pony truck, trail truck and tender were repacked with new pads. The main rods were dropped so the floating bushings on the main and intermediate rods of the main crank pins could be cleaned so they would take fresh grease clear to the crank pins. We did replace a wrist pin brass on the front of the left main rod. Some work was done to the supper heater units. The throttle valve was in need of a lot of work to get it tight and leak free. The tender tank needed patching and is not in great shape. The engine also needed the front and rear sills replaced as they had rotted. The steel cab was and still is in need of cosmetic work. and of course we had to come up with gages brake appliances and all the necessary appliances required. We did remove the rod caps for all the crank pins to inspect lost motion. We did enter the boiler both physically and with bore scopes through all entrances. and did a lot of measurements with an ultra sonic caliper. This was a lot of work for our volunteer crew and I am deeply appreciative of their efforts in making 491 operational.
From experience I can tell you that what was done at CRRM to make 491 operational is only about 10 to 15 % of what is needed. to do an engine requiring real running gear work or boiler work. Or if compared to what is being done to RGS 20 , less that 1%. We were able to take 491 from static display to operation for less than $5,000.00 cash , a fair amount of horse trading and a number of volunteer hours. We are proud of this accomplishment, but our steam crew will be made to humble themselves to the people that fight a real war of maintaining a fleet of locomotives on a real mountain railroad.
Again please accept my apology
Jack Campbell
CRRM CMO