Re: Historic Car Project what about RPO/ Baggage 53
| October 18, 2017 06:25AM |
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>I continue to scratch my head as to why D&RGW RPO/ Baggage #53/053 that has been partially restored by the Friends to its MOW configuration is not returned to its passenger configuration.
Rod, have you ever been in 053? In its own right, is very historic in its present environment. It has been fully restored over the course of many years. In some sense, it was a painful restoration as there were multiple directions desired as time passed. Originally, it was partially rebuilt in Chama in the mid-90's at which time the decision was to hold off with a full restoration until the Friends had an enclosed facility where it could be "opened up". It was a transition project; where the Friends graduated from just scraping and painting wood, to actually planning restoration work. It moved to Antonito on the last passenger train east in 2005 or 2006. I was considering "adopting" it as the CRF in Antonito was completed (or was in the final planning). Unfortunately the next couple years were very busy for me.
When it did enter the CRF, an extensive investigation revealed the frame sills were all weak. One consideration was to tear it down completely (like the current restorations) and start from scratch. That would mean undoing the work that volunteers had been so proud of. Another thought was to encase the sills with 3/8" steel. I can tell you that would have been very difficult to complete. After trying to get even one piece of steel placed, we realized that plan was unworkable. So Plan C was adopted; continue the restoration to the static Rotary Cook Car as it would be a truely unique item. I don't know if it is fit enough to make another trip across the line to join up with OY, but until it does, it is a great example of its kind were it sits. I was happy to be able to work on the future trucks for it last summer, when they are completed, it will be a great museum piece.
Maybe future generations of volunteers will take on the challenge of restoring it operationally. Until then, we have enough projects to tackle!
Bill Kepner
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/2017 06:31AM by drgw0579.
Rod, have you ever been in 053? In its own right, is very historic in its present environment. It has been fully restored over the course of many years. In some sense, it was a painful restoration as there were multiple directions desired as time passed. Originally, it was partially rebuilt in Chama in the mid-90's at which time the decision was to hold off with a full restoration until the Friends had an enclosed facility where it could be "opened up". It was a transition project; where the Friends graduated from just scraping and painting wood, to actually planning restoration work. It moved to Antonito on the last passenger train east in 2005 or 2006. I was considering "adopting" it as the CRF in Antonito was completed (or was in the final planning). Unfortunately the next couple years were very busy for me.
When it did enter the CRF, an extensive investigation revealed the frame sills were all weak. One consideration was to tear it down completely (like the current restorations) and start from scratch. That would mean undoing the work that volunteers had been so proud of. Another thought was to encase the sills with 3/8" steel. I can tell you that would have been very difficult to complete. After trying to get even one piece of steel placed, we realized that plan was unworkable. So Plan C was adopted; continue the restoration to the static Rotary Cook Car as it would be a truely unique item. I don't know if it is fit enough to make another trip across the line to join up with OY, but until it does, it is a great example of its kind were it sits. I was happy to be able to work on the future trucks for it last summer, when they are completed, it will be a great museum piece.
Maybe future generations of volunteers will take on the challenge of restoring it operationally. Until then, we have enough projects to tackle!
Bill Kepner
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/2017 06:31AM by drgw0579.
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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.