Re: Rebuilding 489 -- compared to 463

Chris --

I couldn't agree more with you that having Marty come in from time to time on a consulting basis is a damn good idea, although I know he'd really like to be back with his family in Freeland, Michigan. He and Marvin have worked well together and the hands-on training that guys like Max Casias and Jake Vigil received at Monte Vista and have been continuing to receive at Antonito is bound to provide lasting benefits for the whole C&TS locomotive fleet. Furthermore, behind the scenes John Bush has also been involved in the 463 project. There are probably only about half-a-dozen truly qualified steam locomotives CMO's around, and the 463 project has had the benefit of involvement by two of them. Furthermore with HRM now on the scene the C&TS can now tap into yest another source of pertinent mechanical experience.

As for hands-on experience, like you, I've not had direct experience, but my long involvement with those who have had such experience has helped me learn whose opinions to trust and whose to question. The most painful lessons are having to pay the bills when such trust is misplaced. Fortunately, that has not been the case with Marty Knox, but he'd be the first to tell you that 463 was in the worst shape of any loco he's ever exerienced.