Re: One Nasty Problem

Hi,

I do not think I inferred that anywhere. D&S is a tourist operation only.

The living museum issue and the Historical Study that some have said are irrelevant to the C&TS is just not true.

I will comment that last fall, the 478/483 swap would have filled the one of the living museum goals.

The D&S had 480, 481, 482, 486, 476 and 478 operational (handling the ridership loads well I assume) and had to rebuild the 478. C&TS had five engines to handle the ridership loads (463, 484, 487, 488, 489). There was no need for another operational loco. There was a desire for it but not economically needed (be it 478, 492, 497, or 168).

Trading a derelict 483 for 478 made sense since any argument about load hauling ability with an unneeded sixth operational locomotive carries as much water as a sieve. So getting a K28 as per the Historical Study became the controlling factor as I saw it. It may have been as static as 483 but then one of each of the mike classes would be available to tell the story. A major goal of the museum part of the goals. Since any of the four remaining K37s could have been used to basically replace a K36, if operational needs required it, a K37 could be restored.

However the argument of needing 483 because it could haul more than 478 is a hollow point to me since the trains do not run at capacity all the days of the week. Additionally, 463 fits in the rotation well with four K36s. If you think of the K36 and K37 as being interchangeable then think of the K27 and K28 as interchangeable also - not really so but if 463 is down for a while, 478 could be fired up and run in her place.

Just my opinion. John Bush has the hard calls and I trust him to do it right.

Now I doubt that any possible trade will come up soon (say not within 5-10 years). But there has been little mention of 473 for 483. When I was in College (1970s), I did not seem to think I'd ever see anything heavier into Silverton than a K28. Glad I was wrong. I did not think I'd ever see any K27 operational or in any condition except as a hulk - we have 463 and 464.

As a suggestion for a restored K37 on the C&TS, if possible, which ever locomotive is restored, I'd like to see the K-37 3-way coupler tender used with the restored locomotive to help tell the tale of dual gauge operations.

Doug vV

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