o anderson Wrote:
=======================================================
> I recall CRRM had acquired a number of things
> which are not there any longer. A D&IM
> interurban, Fort Collins Birney, and one or two
> Denver Streetcars. Many Denver streetcars were
> 42" gauge so that makes this NG content. ...
> where are they now?
>
> On a recent visit I was struck by how many wood
> cars were there, and that virtually none of them
> were protected from the elements by a permanent
> building. The site is almost built-out to the maxneed to expand the 14 acres the CRRM
> so a decent storage building might require
> additional land. A small ranch exists to the
> north. And a ride around a lake nearby to the
> east, sure would make a nice route to triple the
> length of the railroad.
>
> All in all a great museum in development. If the
> storage question is not improved, then the long
> term future may not be bright, unless multiple restorations of the same equipment is planned.
O Anderson.
Let me add my two cents to why doesn't the CRRM expand. For years the Museum Board and Directors have realized the Museum needs to aquire adjacent property. The owners of the "ranch" to the north have been talked to many times about selling the property. This piece of property is not currently for sale. The CRRM is surrounded by homes on the west, north and east. It would take an enormous amount of money to buy these properties even if they were for sale, which they are not. The lake to the east (actually there are two of them) on either side of West 44th Ave.They are owned by Miller Coors Co. and are not for sale. Miller Coors also owns the entire Clear Creek valley abutting the CRRM on the south. Long ago the Museum refused to erect train shed(s). The equipment was to remain uncovered in order to photograph them, leave them in a natural setting and allow a hands on expierence for the visitors. Also, there is no way you can put 100 odd pieces under a train shed. Coming from someone that has put in 34 years dealing with equipment that has suffered from weather and sunlight at over a mile high, it would be nice to put equipment under cover, but then you would not have the unique visual setting that is the Colorado Railroad Museum.
Yes, the Museum needs to expand, but it would take money, lots of it. The CRRM is privately owned and not by the State or Government.
For now we rotate equipment in and out of the roundhouse for restoration, repairs etc.
I'm not trying to be a smart ---, but you need to take a realistic look
at what would be involved in order to meet your suggestions. You could donate or volunteer at the Museum.
Bill G
Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/2012 09:34PM by HighCommander.
