My main purpose is to see the locomotive returned to operating condition. After the otherwise remarkable rebuilding of the C&S no. 9 on the Georgetown Loop, I'm now convinced that those who think any job is "impossible" should only look at what was accomplished with this loco. I am the consumate RR foamer, and I do not wish that this argument would deginerate in to my state Vs. your state, as if this was some kind of sporting event. I only see the possibility of the locomotive being restored in my life time, as much quicker here in Colorado if the CHS got behind the idea. If Nevada can restore her, then by all means, I'll drive there to see it every once-in-a-while, but just because your a citizen of NEV, and me of COL, I see no reason for either of us to fuss about where the loco is, as long as its best intrests are at heart (namely being under steam and pulling something down a track). Although the fact that it is not being restored is not a valid argument for movement, it is, if nothing is goig to be done. You say it will be done, well maybe, but if a campaign was put in place to make sure that it was restored with Colorado CHS funds - then why not. If you feel that there is some kind of robbery being done to your state, and that no value would be recieved, surely there is some value that can be created? Is there a piece of Nev. RR history setting in this state that could be traded? Cash? Reciprocating use agreeements, summers with dad, christmas with mom? I reject the notion that because your state owns it, that is the end of all discussion, and that nothing for the benifit of the locomotive is worth talking about if it does not stay in your state forever.
The "who pays for it" and "where does it live" arguments above are one thing, but being a true RR geek, I must argue one more point of little value to anyone on earth but a few of us on this board who care about such stuff, namely, the wish that you had that it should be lettered for the E&P.
I do believe that it has indeed had a history in Nevada, but to me, that history has been secondary and small compared to its history in Colorado. Your right, you have more years to count, but that to me is like saying that some piece of important WWII war history should stay in a meuseum in Kansas because someone brought it back from the war and its been there for 60 years, rather than being part of some meusum about the war. By far the most use that it ever got as a locomotive, was running in Colorado, I believe that someone here swore that it did run on the E&P, but for a few , or maybe even only one trip? It ran for the first third of the century in Colorado. Unfortunately, not one piece of the Uintah's right of way will ever have a train on them again, so I guess there is not alot of difference between running the thing on the D&S, Georgetown Loop, or on a Neveda tourist RR.
I do have to differ though, on your suggeston that it be lettered for the E&P. There is NO eveidence that it was ever lettered for that road. I have seen pictures of it derilict in the desert, before the casino guy got it, and it was still lettered for the Uintah. She was cared for there, for years by that crew, and sold, only after going through a complete overhaul, including a new boiler. If all I do here is get some people in Nevada to take a look at this locomotives history, maybe thay would see that if restored, she should come back with that lettering, I just find it historically awkward to do differently. Even if she stays in Neveda, I think it would do more for the E&P's history for people to ask why it has the Uintah's name for a Nevadea loco. "Because it was to big for their RR, and they were broke" has alot more historical siginfigance than an exaduration of "what might of been". As for the argument that her many years as a show engine in front of casino was a relevent part of her history - I'm a RR nut, not a gambling man.
