Bill,
I'd be willing to be a founding member of the "Friends of the San Juan Extension Main Line". Since Georgia is a "long spit" from Colorado, I do not know how much I can help. I do feel examination of the old grade to determine the viability of relaying the old main would be worthwhile even if the result is that there is no way we can reasonably do it.
My modest qualifications are as follows:
A steam fan since as long as I can recall (I'm 44), slim gauge since about 1967, and a member of Friends Of The C&TS since 1990. My first train ride of any kind was when I was 4 years old (1960) in the cab of a steam locomotive working revenue freight on the old Mississippian railroad (I rode from one end of the line to the other).
Experience:
B. S. Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech 1980.
B. S. Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech 1980.
8 years experience in civil engineering (including helping laying out two industrial parks with rail service, designing part of MARTA (about a mile) and about a mile and a half of the Georgia Railroad relocation for MARTA).
19 years experience in computer design and testing (I have designed several expansion boards for the original IBM PC). I have mostly worked writing test hardware and software for PCB manufacturers.
I've worked for pay (as a second job) maintaining, restoring, and operating the 1950 era Atlanta Zoo Train (16" gauge).
I have 2.5" scale to the foot rolling stock based on the D&RGW equipment. I have my own small metal shop in the basement. I have made patterns for the equipment I want to build and have them cast at a local foundry. I then machine the castings in the shop.
Any others?
Doug.
