Re: Denver South Park & Pacific 191

Kevin,
You bring up a good point about "historic fabric." Some people feel that an artifact has to be preserved in its original state no matter what its condition. If it is a burned up or rusted hulk, they want it left in that condition no matter what because that is the way it has arrived to us over time. On the other hand, there is the side that argues that the essence of the artifact should be preserved as originally intended. I guess you can find in the automobile groups this side well represented. They take rusted out hulks of automobiles and return them to their original operating glory and no one seems to claim that the original fabric of manufacture has been lost. Instead, it has been preserved by restoration to its original purpose. The old analogy of George Washington's axe that people sometimes use is a false comparison because it does not take into consideration the events that caused the blade or handle to be changed over time. Because of those intervening events time and history has given us an axe like George Washington used. That is no reason o say that axe should not be preserved and restored.

I remember well when the railroad restored the General locomotive back to operation in the 1960s and took it, under its own power, around the United States . If I remember right, the trip was of some 14,000 miles total. It was a HUGE success and wonderful way to remember the events of the Great Locomotive Chase. The locomotive was converted to oil, and the looks of it were not how it actually appeared in 1862, but the essence of what it represented was clear and unmistakable. It may not be exactly as it was during the Civil War, but they did the best that could be done with what time and history left to them and it was monumental success.

The General's story was a big inspiration o me when I got Eureka. the only difference is that I had the original blueprints and color designs from Baldwin to work with. If anyone thought I should not have restored Eureka to operation because it was to far gone, and if restored would lose its original fabric, I have not heard from them. When I got Eureka it had been burned up in a fire, the wood was carbon, the tender was warped, the gauges were melted, the driving rods warped, the front tube sheet trash etc. etc. The same is true for the Glenbrook and what Chris deWitt did with it. If we could bring these locomotives back to life, why not the 191 for Colorado?

Dan