Re: Discussions of preservation / restoration / replication in L&RP

Thank You, Bill -

And I'll wholeheartedly agree with everything you say – especially in regards to The Friends vital role in restoring so much of the C&TS heritage rolling stock that was/is beyond the ability of the railroad itself to preserve.  The C&TS is unique in having so much of its original fabric - grit and all - still in existence, and in having such a marvelous location to demonstrate so many aspects of railroading during its golden age and even before.

I too am a member of several different organizations, each of which has accomplished much and plays a vital role in educating the public as to the huge role railroads have played in the development of our nation (and continue to play today, though much more in the background).  From the classic beauty of ex-S.P. #2472 of the Golden Gate RR Museum to the exquisite model of the Pacific Coast Railway at the San Luis Obispo RR Museum and the one-month-away debut of C&C #18 at Laws, we here on the west coast are privileged to have available some of the best historic railroading available anywhere (not to overlook our world-class CSRM in Sacramento), but IMHO there's no place on the planet I'd rather spend time than hanging out in the yard at Chama or waiting at one of the namesake rocks (Roger's or Roosso's) overlooking the right-of-way to watch a two-engine freight blast upgrade at Coxo or The Whiplash.

- El Abuelo Histœrico, Greengo y Curmudgeoño de los Locomoturas Viejos y Verdes,
aka Der Grossväterlich DünkelOlivGrünDampfKesselMantelLiebHabender