Enough money can do just about anything, but the problem with Gato is Indian ownership. That is basically the end of the discussion. Those people have no use for anybody but themselves, and the railroad is part and parcel of things they dislike. The Ignacio Utes are currently taking over operation of the BIA health clinic and let most of the government staff and doctors go. They are the ones responsible for the Gomez store being moved, or else their intention was to burn it down. The Gomez family was not Mexican, but Spanish from Spain, and that didn't matter.
Moving that stone building would best be done by numbering the stones, documenting everything and then dismantling it and moving it to a new location. But that effort then disqualifies it for State Historical Fund money, but maybe under the circumstances, there could be a waiver. The rather heavy duty timber work tieing the front to the back indicates the structure was failing, and this was a quick and dirty fix. The corrective action would have required the walls being relaid and that expense was too much for the D&RGW.
I was surprised by the photo of the tank. It is indeed a matter of time before the thing collapses. So sad as I've watched engines take on water there. The cooperation of the tribe would be essential before even a structures assessment could be made, and even on an emergency basis, the Indians still have to sign off, and that won't happen. Emergency money can be had in a matter of a few days if the potential loss is documented, but to be on that property is currently tresspass, and had there been any interest or concern, where has it been for the past 35 years since the rest of the line was pulled up. The fact anything is there, including the track, car, bridge, and structures is an action of spite and an assertion of tribal authority over its land. The rails extend to the limits of their ownership and they forbid the scrapper from entering on their land. There was no altruistic effort to "save" a portion of the narrow gauge.
