Just to set the record straight I did not do the cosmetic restoration on the #278. I believe it was done by Bill Jones.
I did cosmetic restorations on:
C&S #71 and Combine #20 in Central City 1979
D&RGW #168 in Colorado Springs 1984
M&PP #2 in Manitou Springs 1985
C&Z #12 Palmer Lake 1986 (This engine was restored to look like a D&RG engine which never existed #433)
DNW&P/D&SL/D&RGW Private car "MARCIA" in Craig 1989.
I also did some other projects of a more limited scope before going to Chama in October of 1989.
The cosmetic restoration of the equipment at the Black Canyon was an inovative and successful approach preserving and interpreting equipment that was deteriorating and being vandalized in Montrose at the time.
#278 is clearly in need of repair again and it may well be time for re-interpretation. It is appropriate for the Gunnison/Montrose area.