A response from the posting in the "Riio Grande Classification Flags" Postings
The D&RGW 223 Project did at one time encompass the restoration of D&RGW Caboose 0573 a Type 2 short caboose of which Mr. Bull became derailed with.
In March of 2005 the Caboose and the 223 Steam Locomotive and a Boxcar and a High side gondola were stored in a fenced and locked area adjacent to an old candy factory building at the south end of the Ogden Union Station Museum Complex here in Ogden, Utah.
I was there that afternoon and saw the equipment, and later that night an Arsonist set the candy factory building on fire, and according to witnesses on the scene. The Fire Dept was saving the cars with water, but orders came from up high to pull out, and the caboose sadly was only a pile of smoking scorched metal as was the boxcar, the gondola had some wood the next morning.
It took an act of Congress and God just to save the remains, as Ogden City was arranging to have the remains hauled away to the scrap yard.
The 223 Project saved at least the remains, that went to further other restorations at Roaring Camp and with the Friend's .
223 Trivia--
The March 2005 Fire was the forth fire to have involved the Locomotive--Jerry Day can verify whether it is three or fout
1-Salida, Co.
2-Salida, Co.
3-Gunnison,Co.
4-Ogden, Utah
Mr. Bull
please research your information, as the 223 Project has taken so long to get this far because all of the work is don by some real devoted VOLUNTEERS who do the work on Saturday Mornings, Fund out of Pocket many times for tools and requirements, and depend upon donations to fund the Major Work
Work Accomplished to this point
1-Wood Cab finished
2-Tender Frame Rebuild finished
3-Pilot Beam and Pilot finished
4-Tender Tank Rebuild (including over 300 rivets) nearing completion
Pending Work
5-Repair of the Running Gear (including the straightening of the #1 Left side rod--bent in the move from the Salt Lake City's Liberty Park to the Utah State Historical Society Move. some Crane Operators and Riggers do not know what they are doing (these apparently did not know) and there are some who do a class 1 job.
Maynard Morris is the Project Team Leader, and Ultimate Restoration Detail Person for the Golden spike Chapter of the Railway and Locomomtive Historical Socety.
Maynard has had to climb many mountains and jump many canyons that many people would have stopped and given up, and walked away from.
The Restoration work done so far is in Railroad Terms is as near perfect as can be done, but at a very slow pace (sometimes extremely frustratingly slow).
To the Saturday Morning Crew---Keep up the good work it looks good, and gets better each week.
Mr. Bull
Please research first, and then comment
there is not even a desk in the Work Shop and only a couple of old metal chairs other than work tables, Machines and Locomotive Parts.
You and Mayor Godfrey might just like to meet oneanother, as he has done almost everything possible to slow or even end the 223 Project.
The 223 was includced in the scrap haulaway deal initially from what was indicated the moring after the fire, but the 223 was owned by the Utah State Historical Society.
The let it burn decision came from HIS OFFICE apparently.
Stephen Smith
Ogden, Utah
