Sharrod Wrote:
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> Let me try one more time:
>
> A drumhead is advertising, to promote the train.
> However, by the time of that photo, advertising
> was pointless and the train was a utility the
> railroad wanted to get rid of. If the goal is
> advertising, a drumhead with the wrong name is a
> mistake. On these two points, I don't understand
> why the train was carrying a drumhead at all.
My guess? Denver refused to allow funding for a new "San Juan" after one of the old ones was destroyed and somebody on the shop force thought the train looked ill-bred without one so they gritted their teeth and put the "Shavano" one on. Better than nothing and just maybe one in the eye for the Denver office.
What amazes me, upon reflection, is that the Shavano sign was still around 8 or 9 years after the last run. Surprised somebody hadn't taken it home or pitched it. Wonder if it was in Alamosa or Salida? Maybe it was still on the Gunnison or the Salida in '42 when they were being prepped for sale/shipment to NdeM and somebody just pitched it in a corner of the Car Shop? Still amazing that it was around years later.
hank