Re: How many narrow gauge steamers do we need apar

While it is true that the D&SNG is using 1880's Rio Grande coaches in day to day service, and that the cars are in good shape, have you looked at these cars? How much of the original car is left? Most D&SNG cars are riding on new 28" steel wheels and are using modern freight car couplers and draft gear. The original 26" iron wheels and janney couplers are long gone, ditto for the original seats, lamps and coal stoves. Many of the cars also have steel siding. All of this has been done in response to the realitys of using a 120+ year old car in day to day service, thigs wear out and need to be replaced, there is absolutley no escaping this reality. (Please note, I am in now way bashing the D&SNG, they keep their cars in great shape and as original as they can. Many of them were derilict junk heaps rescued from certain death by the D&SNG. Besides, they are a for profit company, not a historical society)
So, what would posses anyone, especially a historical society, to consider doing this to C&S coach 70?!?!?!?!? This car is an original, unmolested peice of history, essentialy untouched since its last run on the C&S in 1937. The original seats (with upholstery), stoves, lamps etc are all still there. Again, why would anyone with two brain cells to knock together even consider using this artifact in day to day service and risk destroying all of the historic fabric that the car contains? C&S 70 is a priceless historic artifact that should be treated as such. If neither the CHS nor Idaho Springs can see this, then neither one of them deserves to have the coach.
And no, I don't feel strongly about this
Jason Midyette