The only Reason this locomotive still exists is because the City of Boulder wanted to bring home and engine that was built for and ran on the narrow gauge in that city. The wanted to display the only surviving C&NW engine around. This is why the engine was saved and this “should be the criteria to be used” when displaying her. Not “Which configuration was it in the longest and which one was it's last?”. The RGS and the C&S never went near Boulder, so why would they ever consider lettering her for those line?
If the City of Ridgeway or Telluride saved this engine, then she could wear her RGS colors. If Leadville or Breckenridge saved her, then she should wear the C&S colors. But they didn’t. Boulder did.
Steve said, “The amount of changes necessary to make it look like it did as #30 could make the engine more of a replica than a restoration (which kind of defeats the purpose!)”
I don’t think that is correct Steve. From what I understand, and Jason can conform this, but most of the this locomotive is the same locomotive that ran on the C&NW. Same boiler, wheels, frame, cylinders and even the bell. Backdating the 30 does not seem like it would be such a big job (after you build a replica wooden cab).
Now, I am a huge RGS fan with the C&S/South Park a close second, but I can completely understand why the city of boulder wants to display this engine as their own and why she should carry the C&NW colors. When I need to see a RGS engine, I guess I’ll go to Durango to see one on display or to California and soon the CRRM to see one running.
When I need to see a C&S engine, it’s off to Central City, Idaho Springs or the Loop to see one.
Anyone who wants to see a C&NW engine, well, they have only one option. Us RGS / C&S fans should not hog everything. We need to share a little bit.
