I've seen it said a few times here, and am curious on everyone's opinion. Several people have stated the museum "Destroyed" historic cars by converting them to Rider cars for events. I find this an intersting statement at the least, because unlike so places, Chama, the Loop, which uses High Side Gons, Pipe GOns, and Boxcars for rider equipment, the museum has chosen to use flat cars. I believe Flat Cars are the perfect rider car, they have nothing on the deck already, and have stake pockets, simply insert a stake, add some siding and seats, and presto, you have a rider car. They are also steel framed (at least one is).
The beauty of this, is by simply removing the stakes, sides, and seats, you have an instant flat car, no permanent damage caused. The bright side, is instead of rotting as they were before, these flat cars have received new decks and other repairs.
How many boxcars were converted on the C&TS? Granted of the 750 3000 series boxcars built, I'd venture a few hundred have to still exist, those cars are everywhere, but the conversion did far more damage to the boxcars then converting a flat car. How Many Pipe gons were converted, high sided gons. I'm actually shocked no D&RGW Refrigerator cars got turned into rider cars, from a maintenance standpoint, I like the design of the trucks much more, with truck hung brakes verse body hung, no need to remove a brake beam, or lift the car high enough to clear the brakes. just take out one pin and slide the truck out.
I guess what I am trying to say, the D&RGW did leave a lot of cars when it abandoned in 1968. More then most other railroads did. I can count the number of known C&S freight cars, which honestly are a far superior design of car, more modern with steel frames. But almost all of them are gone, a few sit in Alaska, a few in Colorado. We should all be happy that you have as much as you do of your favorite railroad, yes, the problem with having so much left is its a lot to maintain, and it all costs money, hundreds of these cars are left out to rot, and because of their numbers, we cannot simply save every one.
I'm not saying anyone should actively destroy cars, but if by chance, they are too far gone, we should not crucify those who made the call to let it go.