Mike,
Point very well taken! This is also assuming that there are the maximum number of trains running from Durango each and every morning. Unfortunately, when I was there last July the early train was not running so there were only four trains and not five! I don't know if this was due to lack of patronage or availability of engines as #481 was down for repairs.
Still, if the D&S want another K-36 the only real answer is #483. I don't see the C&T ever giving up 484, 487, 488 or 489! The K-37 caused too much damage to the track over in Durango so that one is out of the question too! The C&T needs to have at least five operable steam locomotives at any given time for normal operations.
It's a real shame as #463 is the odd man out. As you say, the revenue generated by just two more cars per train over the season adds up to BIG money! That's why a swap between a K-27 needing repairs for a K-28 will NEVER happen!
BUT....(ah! the little wheels are turning over now!) what about a swap between engines needing repairs? The #476 for the #483? It's not quite an even deal as the #483 is in need of a major restoration and #476 needs a major repair!
Why do it? For the potential! The D&S run four or five trains daily. They have two active K-28's and four active K-36's! I suspect that the loss of #481 last year affected them rather more severely than I had realized. Another K-36 would be welcome and as I stated in my other post, I feel that the D&S is in a much better position to attempt the restoration of #483 than is the C&T!
There's no real reason for the D&S to pursue this as they have a very nice static display for their museum and #483 is an unsightly mess. Throw in #463 to sweeten the deal and the D&S might just think about it!
Now we come to the C&T people who indignantly say "NO WAY!!" Well, why not? The #463 isn't even on the stove let alone the back burner and #483 needs more than the C&T will ever be willing to give. It's not a perfect deal but it is probably the only way we will ever see these three engines running again!
Now, dreaming aside the most likely scenario: The D&S continues to use #476 as a display in their museum. If at some time they decide that the need warrants the expenditure of money for repairs then and only then will they repair #476.
Over on the C&T, while still struggling to even exist, the #483 still lies there slowly rusting away in Chama while over in Antonito the #463 (having been ignored in favor of keeping the K-36's running) still lies where it has been parked still waiting for those repairs that would make it operational and waiting and waiting....
One small bit of good news however, the K-37 after years of waiting is finally in the shop having it's boiler redone and will be projected to be back in operation next season. The only real difference between this projected future date and 2001-2002 is the loss of #463 as an active locomotive. As I said, it's only a scenario but I do think it IS the most likely one.
