Dan Markoff Wrote:
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> Does the Colorado Railroad Museum have any plans
> to spruce up the 191, or done a cost analysis of
> what it may cost these days to restore the 191
> cosmetically or operationally? While everyone
> thinks it would take cubic dollars there
> nevertheless is a lot that can be done in house.
> When I look back on the 223 locomotive project in
> comparison, it seems lots of folks want to see
> that old locomotive running again, and yet no one
> saw the sorry state of that engine as an
> impediment to moving forward. Rather, politics
> seems to be the thing that stalled that
> restoration. What the 223 guys were doing was
> pretty amazing, with what was originally a pile
> of do do. They did not let that stop them from
> trying. Where is the enthusiasm for returning the
> 191 even if it is a mechanical basket case?
>
> While I am a Nevadan, my wife Ditty is a Colorado
> native and cares about the history of her native
> state as much as anyone. The 191 clearly
> represents a colorful part of Colorado history
> that could use some major TLC after sitting out in
> the elements for decades.
>
> Dan Markoff
Yes! As I mentioned in my first post we are currently making plans to replace the cab and build a new tender tank frame. The later will be tricky with such a fragile tank to remove. Anyone willing to help make that happen feel free to send your donations earmarked for 191.
We have not looked into what it would take to restore the loco to operation for the simple fact that it doesn't make sense for it to be operable. The fact that is survives at all is generally enough to satisfy most railfans, and historians. Could we be doing more to take better care of it? Absolutely! I aim to make that happen. Better care, display, and housing for 191 have long been on my list, however these things take time and money. The cab and tender frame will cost in the tens of thousands of dollars to build.
Be patient, we are trying to get to a lot of the left over, neglect, and forgotten projects at CRRM. 3 operational steam locomotives keep us busy enough now, never mind the Diesels, geese, operational car fleet, and more operating days than we have ever had.
Jeff Taylor
CRRM curator of equipment and rolling stock.