hogger42 Wrote (approximately):
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> Why don't they give the D&S that POS 497.
> Man I didn't think it would take long for the
> "LET'S GET RID OF THE 483 CROWD"
> to return. The Cumbres and Toltec's first
> working engine to be traded for a loco-
> motive that will have to have a separate
> parts room. When this trade is made
> it will be a sad day for the CATS!!!!
John Bush obviously saw the potential attraction of having a K-28 on the C&TS, or serious discussions wouldn't ever have taken place between the D&S and C&TS.
IIRC, #483 was not only the C&TS first engine, she was also the last engine to pull a train from Durango to Farmington (08/31/68), and the last engine to pull a passenger train from Durango to Chama (11/23/68), so she has almost as much sentimental value to the D&S as she does to the C&TS. A lot of folks spout off about how important #483 is to the C&TS,
but what have they done in the last 40 years to help return her to operation? IIRC, Several years ago Roger Hogan and Jay Wimer started a fund to raise money for the restoration of #483 which brought in two or three thousand dollars. This money was eventually used - VERY wisely, IMHO - to remove the asbestos from #483 and one of the K-37's. Later, around ten to twelve years ago, Roger started another fund; he and Russo Loco between them raised about $4,500 toward the restoration of #483. About five years ago, with the agreement of a few major donors, these funds were donated to The Friends to help finish the Chama yard camera project. In exchange, The Friends agreed to take on the COSMETIC restoration of #483, and beginning in 2012 have had two or three work session projects devoted to this. SFAIK, both Roger and Russo would rather see #483 running in Durango than resting - and rusting - in Chama. I agree with them 100%.
- Sincerely,
Willie (Wm. Claude Johnson-Barr III, Esq.)
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2016 11:59AM by Johnson Barr.