Kurt,
From what I've been told (remember this is what I have been TOLD) the 74 is not that far away from being operable.
The City of Boulder, who owns 71, is worried about their liability, as owners, if anything happens while it is being operated, thus an incomplete job of restoration, rendering it inoperable as is. Since Boulder owns it, It's theirs to do with as they see fit.
The 71 could probably run with some work. It needs a new tender tank. Not just repaired, new. The tender frame is rotten and needs replaced. It needs work on the running gear as the rear drivers are digging into the side of the firebox end of the boiler. The problem for anyone who wants to operate it is getting it away from Central City. Of course there's no telling what parts were removed for "Safe Keeping" from 71 after the last usage in 1984...
The 60 was given to Clear Creek County by the C&S (Not Idaho Springs). BUT since Clear Creek County already has the Loop, I have no doubt where that locomotive would go if restored to operation.
As for the 9, who knows what History Colorado and Breckenridge are going to do with it? It needs cylinder work from what I understand and Railstar was not kind to it during the season that they operated it so I have no first hand knowledge as to the extent of the damage that they did. The tender also needs LOTS of TLC as when it operated on the Loop it was using 74's tender.
Personally, if I was the magic Money Wizard, I would go take measurments off of the 191 at the Colorado Railroad Museum and make a duplicate of it using modern boiler techniques. Heck, if the Brits can duplicate two locomotives long since scrapped and WW&F can build a new one, why can't it be done in Como. All it will take are boxcars full of dollar bills....
Rick
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2023 12:22PM by Rick Steele.
