Re: A Ticket to Howardsville re: leasing

Fritz Klinke Wrote:
=======================================================
> Yes, the San Juan County Historical Society is a
> 501(c)(3) tax compliant organization. Each
> donation will get an acknowledgment to that effect
> that donations are tax deduxtible. And that's the
> only way the county would consider the lease of
> the r-o-w to us.
>
> Fritz

This is indeed great news and perhaps opens up a unique possibility for operations on a Colorado based RR. Here is an idea for the Silverton Northern operation re: motive power. Steam engines are extremely expensive to rebuild and maintain as we all can witness first hand from ongoing efforts on the C&TS, CRRM, DRHS, and Golden Spike LRHS etc. Now with a little over 2.5 miles of 2 + % ruling grade ROW from Silverton terminus near the power house site to Howardsville and a historical precedent of the Silverton roads for using small typically 2-8-0 engines (many obtained second hand or on loan)... thus I would suggest that engines be leased on an annual basis from existing groups which would provide 1. ongoing variety and interest in seeing “what’s new” 2. does not require funds from the hosting organization to be invested in rebuilds 3. gives participating organizations a partnership in seeing their restored engines operate (and share in some potential profit) for a fixed period. So here is a list of possible engines that might be candidates (in no particular order):

D&RGW # 315
D&RGW # 278
D&RGW # 169
D&RGW # 223
RGS # 20

Note: I did not include D&RGW #346 in this list as it has been previously stated by CRRM that its restoration and condition would preclude operation outside of Golden.
It would be nice to also see a 2 truck shay, a Goose etc. added to this mix so further discussion may reveal other ideas.

Rod