Re: Was in the way? How can that be?

Hi ^^ak,
Actually Bill is right about track space being tight at Antonito. When I was there in June, the single RIP track south of FOrt Knox was full all the way to the switch with the aforementioned items. The display track was also full with the display train, MOW equipment, and #19. The shop tracks had 3 or 4 passenger cars on them awaiting refurbishing and just excess due to reduced schedule. There were a number of flats there that day which come and go as MOW work neccessitates. The crews have been struggling with a shortage of workable track space in Antonito. The C&TS crews would like to have the RIP track back (as well as Fort Knox) for car repairs that don't need to be done inside the shop building. Those are two of the reasons that prompted initiating the erection of the Friends Antonito CRF (Car Repair Facility) building that is going up currently. Even if the carcass of #9's tender were to hit the road, it would barely make a dent in the space issue.
The space issue becomes acute to the choke point in the 'down' season when all of the passenger cars show up for winter rehab work. It requires much shuffling around to get to specific cars. While we model railroaders thrive on switching movements and exercises, it can just be plain ol' work with the full-size stuff especially in the winter.
The CRF will go a long way to helping make the Antonito terminal much more efficient both for the Friends and the C&TS.
Cheers, Mork V