Hi Jim,
I think you may have misunderstood part of my post. I was laying out what happened to the replica mallet project in the past. I never intended to have people think we didn’t proceed with the project because we
couldn’t. Only that we have not proceeded because it was not the right time.....
yet.
When that time does come, I have no doubt we could build the mallets. Like you said, most of us are not smart enough to know that we shouldn’t be able to do that; so we went ahead and did it. And yes, I have only been around for 15 years but I think we have pulled off some pretty amazing stuff in that time as well. And we still have a few great projects in the wings even now. Of course, we are building on that "crazy idea" of building a tourist railway in a gravel pit that you, Laura and the other founders originally had. Without those early efforts, there would be
no current projects.
As for the new mallets being an attraction more than a necessity; well, that is true to a point. However, “necessity” would have made the grant writing somewhat easier. So, let’s call it a “justification”.
To operate the ambitious schedule (maybe too ambitious) we had planned for the Union Creek Extension, we needed three suitable locomotives to fill the roster. We have 19 and 20 but a third one would have been needed. So, this did help to “justify” the 2-6-6-2s. However, of course you are correct; the 2-6-6-2s as an attraction was part of it as well.
Of course, without the Union Creek Extension, it’s harder justify building those monsters. In fact, as you know even the 19 and 20 are a little big for what we need now. However your idea of consolidation #10 is just about perfect. And the boiler guy who will be over in the shop next week wants to build one as well. Maybe we should help him out with shop space and start raising some cash.....I always like the little diamond stacked 2-8-0s better anyway.
All the best Jim,
Tim
