UHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.............great shot of #9.....I think..............wow............
I don't know about Mr. Gores's statement of #9 being the "little savior", as she is going to need a savior of her own to be ready in 30 THIRTY 30 THIRTY DAYS AS CHS PROMISED!
Nothing against Peter Gores or Railstar in the slightest. I have the utmost respect for them and all that they are doing to keep the loop running in 2005 and beyond. However, if CHS is telling them promises of how #9 will be ready to run by the end of THIS MONTH, THIS YEAR, I think that CHS has fooled them.
Then again, perhaps I will be proven very incorrect when #9 steams out of the Silver Plume Shop, gleaming in brand-new, shiny black paint and white lettering; ready to run "Over the Loop" once again......................
But then again, maybe I'm right.........time will tell, right?!
If I'm not mistaken, (anyone PLEASE correct me if I am wrong!) CHS stated that "#9 will be on site (meaning on the property in the Silver Plume Yards) by July." This could therefore only mean that the engine, whether in parts or assembled, running or not, will be on the property by the end of this month. IT DOES NOT EXPLICTLY STATE "OPERATING BY JULY OF 2005".
Of course, their first statement, and one which they adamantly stood by was that it would be ready by July 1, 2005. I have now heard "in two or three weeks", which puts the engine's Loop debut at nearly the END OF THE MONTH.
What is next is the continuing saga of abused and neglected #9 ?!
(at the "caring" hands of CHS)
and yes I did just bash CHS, NOT RAILSTAR-MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THAT - in my book
CHS=questionable politically driven organization
Railstar=very determined, well-intentioned, friendly, decent operator who is doing one hell of a job at keeping an historic railroad running day in and day out)
We shall see.....stay tuned everyone
And please be courteous to those from Railstar, they are a good group of people trying to do what they can with what they have. And NO ONE should give them @#$%& about it!!!
Respectfully,
Shane
