Re: Royal Gorge and the removal of the 3rd rail

Heigth of inner third rail could easily be accounted for with shims under clip plates of some used CWR rail. When the track needed to be surfaced, the inner ng rail could be un-cliped and put the the side, track surfaced in normal manner with same machines and ng rail later lifted and cliped back into place. That would not be too much expense. As for damage by a derailment, the engines could be equiped with skid bars which prevent the wheels from hitting the ties. Many track car owners have them on their cars, and they can be put under passenger car trucks also. If a wheel derails it only drops to the bar. Your reasons hold little water.
But what is the point? The ride in the Gorge has everything one would want with the present SG train- AC cars and open cars. Except steam. There are many rebuilt sg steamers around looking for a place to run. Maybe NKP #765 for example, or much of the Ohio Central fleet.
Find a new line that can better be converted, rebuilt or built new for a nice narrow gauge adventure. I would suggest over Lizard Head Pass from Trout Lake to and including the two trestles on the south side of the pass all on Federal property. Maybe down to Rico. Consolidate with the Galloping Goose of Dolores Group as that is local for their goals.