If we had that much money we probably could refurbish 483 or 492 and maybe both.
If the C&TS was a year round operation, using steam to switch shop stuff around would be great. However the wear and tear to keep a steamer fired up during the off season is asking too much on the old girls. They do need to by looked after.
If there was a year round operation from Antonito to say Osier, then 19 in Chama and a couple of steamers in Antonito would make sense.
However, for the very occasional need during the 8 odd months of no revenue operations, a diesel at both ends makes a lot of sense. If a second diesel is being acquired, then consider one that could be used in emergencies to rescue a train or help rerail a steamer.
Additionally, it takes a long time to fire up and cool down a steamer for use (ask Earl or John Bush or whoever how long it takes) for one day.
If hiding the reserve diesel is a concern, put it in the Antonito engine house and close the door.
If you do not want a diesl that looks like a diesel, on Barnhardt's site, there is a 36" gauge loco.
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This 36" gauge diesel hydraulic train set was built by Custom Farricators, Inc. of Johnson City, Tennessee in 1975. This engine looks like a steam locomotive but is powered by a 471 Detroit diesel (turbo) engine located in the tender. This diesel unit in turn drives hydraulic units housed in the locomotive. This train was formerly used in a major theme park. It is a superb train for use in any park or as a replacement for an aging thirty six inch gauge steam locomotive.
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It looks like a hokey steamer but could be prettied up I guess (maybe even made into a reasonable facsimalie of a D&RG 2-4-0 #1 Montezuma?) and it is a diesel.
Doug
