Re: 168's location?

Thank you for posting the recent pictures of the 168. I restored this locomotive for the city of Colorado Springs back in 1984. I had a budget of $23,000 to do the work. The work included the following:

Asbestos removal
new boiler jacket
new pilot beam
rebuild pilot
cast and apply replica builders plates
rebuild headlight including re-plating the reflector (illuminated)
Build and install replica class lamps
partial rebuild of the wooden cab (about 50% new)
new windows and doors with Lexan glazing
install gauges, gauge lamps, and cab lights
build and install rear cab security wall
New tender frame
patch rust through spots in tender tank
Build roof and gutter system over coal pocket
paint and letter locomotive
wire locomotive so headlight, class lamps, gauge lights and cab lights come on at dusk and off at dawn

While I was doing the restoration I talked the city into raising the track about 30" and building 4 brick light stations around the locomotive. the iron fence around the display was modified at that time. Ground level lights were installed in the light stations angled up at the locomotive and wired in to the locomotive lighting system. The fact that the display is raised and lighted at night helps protect it from vandalism while keeping it visible to the public.

Rebuild of the display area cost about $5,000 and I moved the locomotive out of the way and on to the new raised location at my own expense.

It is clear from the pictures that it is time to do some more work to the cab and give it a new coat of paint but it looks like it has held fairly well for 26 years out in the weather.

I for one would be reluctant to see it roofed over as that takes it even further out of context and makes it harder to photograph.

John Bush

P.S. An article about the restoration appeared in Locomotive and Railway Preservation Volume 1 Number 2 May-June 1986