Thanks Ed another up-date

On the Friends web page today
#497 STATUS
Posted By: Ed McLaughlin <edmclaughlin@cumbrestoltec.com>
Date: Aug 4, 2000
We have reviewed the remaining running gear on #497 now that the drivers are under the unit. It has been determined that the pony truck wheels have sharp flanges, a broken spring, and the equalizer bar is not set properly. By and large, this condition is a result of bad mechanical management and treating symptoms rather than correcting the actual problem(s). This therefore resulted in crippling the #497 and shortening its operating life over the past number of years. As a result the lead pony truck axle and wheels are being exchanged with the #492 to expedite its restoration to service. We are hopeful this work will be completed in a timely manner.
The trains are, for the most part, generally operating on schedule and things are well positioned to complete the season. This is in large part a credit to Bob Wright and Ed Beard, and their professional mechanical crew in the Chama Backshop. Bob was recently heard to say, “We are going to correct all of the mismatched and cobbled parts that remain on all of the locomotives.” During a recent staff meeting, Ed Beard mentioned that the #497 is now within 1/32 of an inch of being totally square, an unprecedented state since being built.
In talking with John Craft, who is in charge of C&TSR advertising, he has advised us that there is a major brochure initiative within Texas, and this explains why we are having many riders from the Lone Star State. He indicated we were distributing 267,000 brochures in D/FW, Austin, San Antonio, Wichita Falls, Abilene, Amarillo, Midland, El Paso and Juarez. John says, “This 267,000 is MORE than the total number of brochures our predecessors would distribute nationwide during a year.” Plans call for an even larger push into Texas next season. The first three days in August saw a total of 1,232 riders.
The tempo continues to build here in Chama and Antonito as the fall color rush approaches. While on the train the other day, I noticed that the skunk cabbage was dead by August 1st. From this, the old timers say its definitely a sign that the coming winter will be colder and longer than usual. As of this date, we have not gone out and run our fingers thorough wild buffalo hair to see if it is thicker than usual, or checked any squirrel dens to see if they are storing more away for the winter than usual. But those of us at the C&TSR, plan to make ready for the eventuality of early winter snows by taking precautions to position the Jordan and various other plows.
Ed McLaughlin
General Manager
C&TSR