Re: 478/483 swap revisited?
| October 10, 2016 08:52AM |
Rich Murray Wrote:
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> As has already been pointed out, the D&S has taken
> a different path after the proposed trade fell
> apart. As much as we fans would like to see it
> happen, love to speculate about it and even if the
> C&TS still wants it to happen, as a wise old man
> once said, "it takes two to tango".
> There is a lot on Dick's plate as a new
> commissioner and as attractive as the swap might
> have been his primary role will be the continued
> growth and viability of the railroad. I suspect
> his concentration will be on ridership/marketing
> and New Mexico's funding (personal opinion).
I think this is pretty much spot-on. I believe that the trade, as originally proposed, would have been good for both railroads. Unfortunately, the deal was rejected, however wrongly, and the parties have moved on. The D&S then looked at their remaining options, decided that the 7th locomotive was right in their own barn all along, and they have developed a long-term power strategy that involves 4 K-36s and 3 K-28s. They are already executing on that new strategy. I really don't see them wasting time or effort considering another course change. When the 1,472 is done on 488, the C&TS will have 5 operable locomotives in their own stable, which is more than sufficient to support their normal business and special events. They also seem very amenable to hosting visiting equipment and the combination of their own stable and the visiting machines will continue to give the fans lots to enjoy. I've been out there 3 times in 2016 (I live in New England), participating in both Friends Charters and the NG Rendezvous, and I had a great time every time.
If I had any suggestions for goals, I think it would be nice to find a way to keep the 483 protected and stabilized for potential future considerations (hope springs eternal), and it would also be great to find a way to house and display the 497 with tender, so the fans could see and appreciate it.
/Kevin Madore
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2016 08:53AM by KevinM.
-------------------------------------------------------
> As has already been pointed out, the D&S has taken
> a different path after the proposed trade fell
> apart. As much as we fans would like to see it
> happen, love to speculate about it and even if the
> C&TS still wants it to happen, as a wise old man
> once said, "it takes two to tango".
> There is a lot on Dick's plate as a new
> commissioner and as attractive as the swap might
> have been his primary role will be the continued
> growth and viability of the railroad. I suspect
> his concentration will be on ridership/marketing
> and New Mexico's funding (personal opinion).
I think this is pretty much spot-on. I believe that the trade, as originally proposed, would have been good for both railroads. Unfortunately, the deal was rejected, however wrongly, and the parties have moved on. The D&S then looked at their remaining options, decided that the 7th locomotive was right in their own barn all along, and they have developed a long-term power strategy that involves 4 K-36s and 3 K-28s. They are already executing on that new strategy. I really don't see them wasting time or effort considering another course change. When the 1,472 is done on 488, the C&TS will have 5 operable locomotives in their own stable, which is more than sufficient to support their normal business and special events. They also seem very amenable to hosting visiting equipment and the combination of their own stable and the visiting machines will continue to give the fans lots to enjoy. I've been out there 3 times in 2016 (I live in New England), participating in both Friends Charters and the NG Rendezvous, and I had a great time every time.
If I had any suggestions for goals, I think it would be nice to find a way to keep the 483 protected and stabilized for potential future considerations (hope springs eternal), and it would also be great to find a way to house and display the 497 with tender, so the fans could see and appreciate it.
/Kevin Madore
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/10/2016 08:53AM by KevinM.
Re: Still More Hot Air . . . 
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.