Re: Agree and disagree *PIC*

Hi, All -
Having spent most of my weekends and evenings in June and July organizing, scanning, cropping and retouching the 83 photos that Tom Gildersleeve, John West, Ernie Robart, Roger Callender, Al Chione, Paul Orlow and I donated for use on the screen saver, I would like to second Roger's and Greg's motions that this time the funds be kept in a separate account, and that use of the funds for ANY purpose other than restoration of C&TS engine #483 MUST be approved by a majority of those who have donated to the fund. . Period.
If it is a case of saving the railroad, I will vote to save the railroad. Anything less than such a dire emergency should NOT be an excuse to use these funds for ANYTHING other than restoration of engine number 483.
I agree with Roger that we don't have to raise the full amount needed to restore #483; we just have to raise enough so that, when our donations are subtracted from the total cost, the Commission would have to kick in much less than for any other engine to do #483 next after #489 (and maybe crowd-pleaser #463) - at least by the spring of 2010 at the very latest.*
Although essentially identical to all of the other K-36's, because of her unique role toward the end of the Rio Grande days and the during the beginnings of the C&TS, #483 is historically unique, even if not mechanically so - she deserves a better fate than rusting away in the weeds on the far side of the yard.
- Russ Sperry, aka Russo de los Locos / El Curmudgeonito
* I was one of the volunteers, way back before The Friends, who helped clear the track through The Narrows and re-lay the rail at the grade crossing when the very first C&TS train arrived in Chama on Labor Day Weekend, 1970. My dream is to re-create that event on Labor Day Weekend 2010 - the fortieth anniversary of the First Train - using the First Engine - #483!! That's only five years away - three years to raise money, and two years for Carlos to work his magic! That's also plenty of time to plan a railfair in Chama the first week of September, 2010.
(And if Greg doesn't veto it, we can even repaint 483 for a few days in the beautiful Tuscan and Gold livery she wore on that historic occasion!) . " />
That's also plenty of time to work with the D&SNG to plan a RailFest in Durango from Friday, August 28 through Wednesday, September 2nd which would segue into a RailFair in Chama from Friday, September 4th through Labor Day 2010 on Monday, September 7th. Ten days of Narrow Gauge festivities that should draw fans from around the world!!