The Colorado Railroad Museum is indeed fortunate to have a rebuild facility staffed by folks like Linn Moedinger and company. To break #20's condition down to simple terms, it is like leveling a chair. You work on one leg then another until you have everything even. As work progressed, Linn and crew discovered more and more things wrong with 20. This equates to more money needed for the rebuild.
Bob Richardson often told the story when the inspector showed up in Ridgway, 20 was always out on an inaccessible portion of the line. Linn's post on lead in the dome cover and welding in the firebox up to the 2nd row of stay bolts bears out the story of why the RGS conveniently kept 20 out of the inspectors sight.
The cost of 20's rebuild has really escalated. If anyone wants to speed up 20's completion, please send your contributions to the Colorado Railroad Museum earmarked for the Engine 20 fund. These contributions are tax deductible and are really appreciated. If I am still around when 20 comes back to Golden all contributors will get a cab ride.
Bill Gould
Operations Manager
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2012 09:37AM by HighCommander.