Re: Alanito Shop Facility *LINK*

In my opinion Antonito needs as much help as it can get. Placing the big engine shop there would make it more important, make more awareness to the State of Colorado, and perhaps offer some employment opportunites there. As Mr 489 pointed out it could be a dual gauge shop, ala Strasburg, and being in Antonito it could be built near a Standard gauge line for that matter. Something I had not thought about, although I did consider the outside Railroad connection a major plus in my consideration of making Antonito the place. Large parts could be brought in by rail if need be, and not have to deal with Cumbres Pass for example. While yes Chama is the center of the operation today, Antonito seems to have much more space to expand, and its yard facilities are all new since 1970 anyway, so building something new is not a problem as far as messing with historical integrity. Personally I have no claim in this, just throwing out an idea into the discussion. I do see that a workable shop large enough to handle multiple engines is something greatly needed. I would rather have a few empty bays in a roundhouse or shop building than have everything outside rusting away while space frees up inside from regular work on engines for the next season. With more space perhaps more forces can be hired to get these engines in shape faster. It stands to reason that it might take more people to keep 4 engines running than 3 especially if they have to start considering another rebuild. Remember the clock is running on each of the 3 engines now operational. 1472 days and its time to start all over again!!!
Greg