Re: "Nobody in their right mind is going to build a from-scratch 3' line these days."

Ed "Oilcan" Kelley Wrote:
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> While I feel old as dirt (well, except next to
> Russo) now that I've earned a wood-laminated piece
> of stationary to mount on my wall, I'd still like
> to think I'm still youthful enough to consider
> myself among the younger generation into this
> steam-powered flange-wheeled stuff. And in
> encountering many like persons, I can confidently
> say you all have nothing to fear--few of us are in
> our right mind!
>
> But until one of us nutcrackers can rebuild the
> old West Side up from the new Mi-Wuk casino; or
> survey the proposed Niles Canyon Railway mountain
> division; or throw down a dime of track snaking
> from Santa Margarita up the backside of Cuesta
> Grade; or lay a third rail down Beach Street in
> Santa Cruz and run Shay-powered dinner trains up
> the coast to Davenport, be glad these sterling
> sidewinders are in the best hands they could ask
> for. Seriously, who wouldn't want Phil Reader
> looking after their Shay? (And he's not even
> getting paid!) I've known the man for years; he
> can put one to bed Sunday, get the engine set on
> the shop crane Monday and have it repaired and
> back in service that Saturday. Plus I've heard
> nothing but praises for "Big Phil" and the other
> current stewards of the GLRR Inc. collection.
>
> So anyone thinking any engine in Golden without
> Rio Grande on the tender is destined to diminish
> into a tetanic hulk of iron oxide, relax your
> slacks--those Shays are among the few Californians
> it seems Coloradans actually like
>
> Playfully chiding,
> Russo in 40 years

Ed,
There has been some changes at the CRRM. "Big Phil" is now back at the Loop. He is availible for consultation and drops in to help and check on things. He lives a short distance away from the Museum. The Shays and other Ex Loop equipment are in the capable hands of Jack Campbell,(as well as the CRRM's collection) Jack was an early volunteer at the Museum, Worked with John Bush at and became CMO at the C&TS. Phil Reader drops in from time to time and is planning on doing some major work on Shay #14. Mike Rowe is a loop veteran and fires all the oil burners. ( he has to be helped into the cabs, but knows how to fire well) Remember, there is a corps of long time volunteers who have maintained and run 346. and the EX-Loop equipment for over five years. The Loop equipment is not treated like a step child, but receives the same care and feeding as the Museum collection. As far as I am concerned all of the Loop equipment is in good hands and operated. It would be nice to see the WSLC equipment running again on their home turf, but I doubt if that happens. Maybe Russo can start a campaign to revive the WSLC. As long as he promises to use only black paint.
Bill Gould
Operations Manager
CRRM