Re: Keep 483 off the pedestal - Use a 490 instead

A few more thoughts on the subject.
Skdmk...I am not sure which side you are on after reading your post.

Yes, 483 was the first one to operate on the new railroad, but 484 was the one to begin the first full year of operation in 1971. Aside from one special 483 basically did car moving and work train stuff in 1970, cause it was the only engine servicable at the time from the Rio Grande.

Not only was 483 the first engine to operate on the new railroad, it was the last one to run of the freight engines on the Rio Grande. If Chama wants an engine that is part of its town heritage, does it want to be portraying the Rio Grande, which started the rails through there in 1881,
or the tourist train of 40 years go. Frankly I dont think they really care what engine they get as long as its representative of the NG railroading that went through Chama.

The 497 or 492 are likely the next engine to be rebuilt after 463 is done. That will give the C&TS a K37 again. What next then....its either the other K37, or the 483. 483 is the last K36 in chama that is not operational.

Look at the D&S...they wanted as many K36's as they could get their hands on...why...cause they were newer, and would be easier to operate on their lines. They went after 482, and 486 and both are running today. If 483 had not been in such bad shape they would have gone after it. The point is that another operational K36 down the road could not hurt, especially if someone wants a real "Project" to work on from scratch essentially.

we are pretty certain neither 494 nor 495 will ever run again, so both of them could be used for display purposes. 483 could be cosmetically restored and displayed with a rotary, and perhaps even put under cover at the same time. At least leave it in the Chama Yard someplace. Then say 10 years from now, perhaps someone will be interested in restoring it and it will be there on the property. If it goes to the town of Chama, then good luck trying to get it back someday!!! Just a thought!!
Greg Scholl