Re:A NEW Rebirth of 497

Couple of things:
1) apologies if this turns into two messages, I was using the High Commander technique and my first attempt vapourised.

2) big thankx to RL for the shot of 497, it is now my desktop background. It replaces the rolling green hills by microsoft

3) By my subject line you have a clue my vote is for 497.

I appreciate the efforts to bring the 460's to steam but I view these locomotives as steps in the evolution of the mudhen. I am happy when any steam locomotive is restored; I have been awed by the K-37's since I saw one in Durango in 1955. The k-37's are the top of the NG food chain and we must advocate for restoring at least one from static before it is too late. I am not privy to which of the surviving K-37's has severe damage--I hope it is not 97--but there are plenty to cannibalize (look at the 493--half of it is on one K-36 or another).

The Big Boys (the top of their food chain) can not come back from static but we still can get 497 back under steam and run it. I rode the C&T @40th and the track is excellent!

Now the money:
I never wish ill health on anyone. The proposed benefactor may be interested in a combination of wanting to see the fruit of his labor and a high level of interest from the NG community to both help and contribute (open definition of contribute).

Group would it be a good idea to start a new message thread as a vote and then prepare a presentation of both our support and the pedigree of the chosen locomotive?

+k