Re: Economics of restoring a locomotive

snowtownbob Wrote:
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> Here's what you do. When the children leave home,
> Sell the big city house and downsize to a country
> cottage near a preserved railway. In UK you might
> be able to bank half to one million, or more on
> which you can comfortably live provided you avoid
> Ferraris and High Society.
>
> Now volunteer on a preserved railway, for little
> or no pay. You will acquire a whole new social
> life, of like minded, efficient, friendly, and
> intelligent people, who have really satisfying
> work.
>
> And that's how it's done. High powered and
> overworked executives go back to being simple
> machinists -- often they survive for years.
>
> Bob Gartside

Bob, I did just what you're describing. And I'm happy to report it's quite nice. Nice people, no crime, great spring, summer and fall weather, laid back attitude. And winter isn't all that bad. It's worse elsewhere.

Real estate has rebounded in most of the USA. Some areas are in property bubbles imho. However one can still find an affordable real estate in Chama. And a lot of this real estate is historic properties which if located in Durango or Silverton would be 2-4x in price.

The one biggie to restore a locomotive with volunteer labor is having a facility. Doing it outdoors is not the best idea.

So who else is moving up here or moving here for at least the summer? I already know someone here in Chama who has all the skill and knowledge to restore a locomotive. There's one locomotive parked in the roundhouse waiting to get a restoration. I'm sure the Commission would appreciate another locomotive coming online with zero cost to them