Steve Forney Wrote:
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> One thing I wonder about is the notion that
> putting an engine on display means it can
>
never be put back to work
...
But ... but ... but Steve -
I can't think of too many narrow gauge examples other than ex-D&RGW locomotives #486, #463 and #315, ex-RGS motor #3 and locomotive #20, and ex-S.P. engine #18 that confirm the ridiculousness of your worrying your Curmudgeonly head about such impossible things. This is reinforced by the fact that ex-S.P. #4449 and #2472, ex-ATSF #3751, ex-SP&S #700 and ex-U.P. #3985 - just to mention a few west-coast standard-gauge examples - are still languishing in the city parks where they were stuffed and mounted in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Clearly C&TS #483 is doomed to a slow disintegration in the middle of Terrace Avenue underneath a thick layer of gaudy paint which will hide its deterioration until it's too late, and there's NOTHING you can do about it! - rl
[Then] Chris Webster [clearly in total agreement with me] Wrote:
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> Stuffing and mounting the locomotive up on
> the street kills the dream of [ever] seeing all
> 9 K-36s in service again.
So, Steve -
Don't even think about the cost of laying "street" rails (like those used for trolley lines) from a new turnout near the grade crossing north of town right down the middle of Highway 17 to a point near the City Clock so that any equipment placed on display there could - relatively easily - be pulled out of the display area and back to the engine house for maintenance and possible restoration to operational status. Pending approval by the New Mexico DOT, this project would also allow the caboose (or cabeese) displayed as part of the snow-fighting train to be quickly retrieved whenever they are needed for railfan charters and other special events.
*
So don't even think about it. #483 is doomed to red-and-gold purgatory forever, and don't you forget it!!
-
El Curmudgeono de los Locos Viejos y Verdes
* Another benefit of this plan is that it would allow the snow-fighting train to be returned to the yard at the end of the season in the fall, and not returned to the display area until after the snow has melted in the Spring. This would not only allow snow removal from Terrace Avenue to continue to be done as efficiently as it is today, it would eliminate all concerns about highway brine splashing onto the equipment during the winter and hastening its deterioration. (One {or more} of us might also expect that Roger Hogan will lend his full support to this plan, as it would obviate the necessity of adding an expensive third story and rooftop yard-viewing platform to THE (Shamrock) HOTEL.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2012 10:33PM by Russo Loco.