Re: 268, 278, 223

"I heard that when 278 was stored there, they ran the loco to the bridge, ... is she doomed to sit atop the trestle the rest of her life??"
IIRC, 278 was originally displayed and still owned by Montrose. 278 had been vandalized severly in Montrose. Montrose thought that by putting it on display on a piece of bridge in the canyon, it would be less suceptable to vandalism. I think that actually worked out. However, time has taken its toll. Part of the contract concerning 278 is that the display be kept up and there has been some discussion over the past few years as to 278's deteriorating condition. Mostly the difficulty accessing the display on the bridge " />
I think that 268 was run onto the bridge over the Gunnison River just west of Gunnison with a short train for display. It was eventually moved to its current site.
As for 223, I think there was a move by Kyle to aquire 223 for the C&TS in the 1990's. However, the interest in the locomotive caused local Utah interests to say that they did not want "their" locomotive to leave. Of course, 223 has been in parts a very long time and much of her train has burned to ashes. Hindsight being what it is (perfect?), the 223 and her train should have been moved.
Is in not interesting that a steamer is often neglected until someone shows interest in buying it and moving it away? Sometimes it is a somewhat negative result like D&RG 223 and C&S 71 (Central City).
Sometimes it is positive like Gainesville Midland 2-10-0 #209. When someone approached the City of Gainesville to buy and restore the locomotive to operating condition, the city council said no. However they approved funding for asbestos removal, and repainting and whatever monies was left over were used to tey to stablize the loco and have it in a hopefully better condition for future (currently not planned) restoration to operable condition. As I undestand it, when they have the money in the budget, they will be building a roof over the loco. Heck for taking photos but great for protection.
Point is, when 223 was "saved" for Utah, no one knew what would happen to her.
Doug vV