First let me say I am absolutely delighted to see C&S #9 returned to service. The problem that I see is how this "restoration" has occurred. Like so many of the CHS projects it appears to be marked by a fundamental ignorance of historical research and documentation. The responsibility for the specifications for the rebuilding rests with the CHS. What exactly was this engine being rebuilt to represent i.e. what historical period? RailStar’s fine tuning for operation is one thing, reworking paint, lettering and other details shows a fundamental historical ignorance on the part of the CHS. This should come as no surprise given the CHS attitude toward the RR and their "historic" lack stewardship of their property.
With all due respect to Marlin Urich who apparently has done an excellent job, why were these historically significant details not done correctly to begin with? Just because brass running board bands were discovered does this mean you just leave them in place when they may have only been added for the ’39 RR fair? I think many of us would hope that the current rework is headed in the direction of a circa 1939 operational appearance. Regretfully the CHS management shows their lack of understanding that "the devil is in the details” when it comes to history and basic construction, i.e. omission of contributions of the previous operator in the Loop reconstruction, construction of the Crystal Place car barn, lack of completion of the bridge abutment stone facings on Devils Gate etc. etc.
Now to the bigger picture of the RR master plan. Steve Torrico wants to restore C&S equipment which many of us applaud. But alas RailStar has no control over what equipment is operated on the Loop. The CHS instead of putting their money and focus into a second C&S engine which would reinforce the C&S historical heritage of this line, instead chooses to restore a non historic engine from Central America. Why? Instead of rebuilding D&RGW freight cars why can’t they use a Bettendorf underframe for C&S replica gondolas? Why can’t the C&S caboose #1006 be returned to the rails in Silver Plume? And for heavens sakes what is it going to take to get the C & S passenger cars out from the Crystal Palace onto the line?
The answer will probably have to wait until after November when perhaps there is a change in the State house for a full on investigation of the management and operations of the CHS. They are a very poor example of an historical organization in their past conduct and operations of the GLRR and in IMHO, more like a bunch of back stabbing politicos who operate by the seat of their pants.
I would like to see nothing better than to see them prove me wrong and RailStar to spearhead a historical drive to recreate the C&S in the equipment selections and restorations in the future. This is the CHS mission and reason for the existence; unfortunately they have been corrupted into a political laundering machine for gambling revenues.
Rod Jensen
