Well, in Antonito . . .

Since I spoke with Marvin yesterday, here's a brief synopsis of the passenger car work so far:
Marvin and his crew are cycling each of our 19 passenger cars through the shop this winter. The car is jacked up and the trucks removed for inspection; draft gear is lubricated; and bolster repairs needed are performed; and where we have flat spots, wheelsets are being replaced.
All broken windows (we had a few at the end of the season) have been repaired. Those of you who worked on these cars last May know that you have to remove seats to get the windows out, so this is an involved project.
Two cars so far have received a new floor. One more car will get a new floor (either 502 or 503, can't remember which). This third car will also have 22 seats taken out and a concession counter added. This will allow us to "retire" the boxcar used as a concession car in the Antonito train.
Car 512, normally used in concession service on the Chama train, will get a new concession counter, too.
Various and sundry window latches, door knobs, and upholstery are being tackled.
No. 517, "Big Horn," has new waste plumbing. Minor leaks in the water supply system to the sinks and toilets have been repaired. (This often requires removing wall panelling.) We've also ordered new toilet fixtures for car 515 and 516, which will go in as soon as they arrive.
Work begins next week on stripping cars 510 and 514 for conversion to parlour cars. Bead-board wainscoting will be installed, moulding will be added where appropriate, and a bathroom added to each car. Carpeting and furniture will come later. (Marvin "test-sat" my choice of furniture a couple of weeks ago in Santa Fe, and has requested that we add a chair to the order for his use in locomotive cab. Apparently they're pretty comfortable " /> The parlour cars will be dedicated on opening day in a brief ceremony at each terminal.
The plugs used for the PA system throughout the train will be changed out on the 50x-series cars, to match the cars traditionally used out of Chama.
It looks like we're on target to finish this work by the end of April. That leaves May to paint the cars that didn't get painted last spring by the Friends. And most cars are getting a new name. We are also planning to mount framed photos in cars named for stations on the line, most of which will come from the Denver Public Library collection.
There are a few other miscellaneous items - equipment cabinets, generator mounts, moving batteries, etc. - but it's little stuff. All in all, the cars you board Opening Day will be in the best shape mechanically and cosmetically that they have been for years.
You are coming for Opening Day, aren't you, Wayne? " />
JAC