Re: Positive Loop Speculation Wanted - Equipment?

Why isn't there a parade of loaner locomotives showing up to SAVE THE LOOP?

Because nobody wants to see their locomotive beat up at the Loop.

Keep it positive - I hear you. Let me state that I sincerely believe the guys that I know that showed up for Railstar are all good guys that really wanted to keep the Loop running. But poor management - yada yada.

Let me mention GLRR, Inc. culture. I can sum it up with Skip Luke going out and talking to the locomotives as they simmerred at night = there was incredible passion for the operation. I was thinking about how Shay #12 would slip timing and most the guys got to know how to dial # 12's valve gear right back and keep the day's schedule. Who's going to know that if the crew that worked on her isn't there? That's just one example of why not to loan equipment to people that did not maintain it. GLRR, Inc. worked on the equipment we ran and worked on it all the time. Maintenance = reliability. Example, look at the culture that goes with firetrucks. Whomever has been making the decision to shut the shop down during the winter is hurting the Loop operation. Whoever whomever is should get a new gig.

So, why not truck 346 and 315 right on up to the Loop? A quickie conversion to oil would make for lots of photo opportunities. Heck, SVR #19 already is an oil burner. I can't believe those selfish guys at SVR for not sending # 19 to save the day. # 19 would be plenty of power for a sold out 10 car train. The SVR guys should show some compassion and send Heisler # 3 to the Loop for a quickie conversion to oil and that could really add some diversity. Why not pull # 60 out of Idaho Springs and rip into it too (or has somebody already covertly borrowed some parts for # 9 from # 60)? While the trucks are lining up with locomotives, there's a couple at Knott's that would look incredible at the Loop. Heck, tell CHS there's a couple of steamers at Lakeside Amusement park that just need a little regauging. My vote would be to rip into 268 to match the yellow cars on the train. For end of season when ridership goes down, somebody should go get a few galloping geese too. At the risk of needing bars on my windows and a moat around my house, may I suggest sending RGS # 20 right on up to Plume as soon as it gets to Colorado? If y'all don't have confidence with CHS, there's no reason not to. Email me if you need help lining up cranes and trucks - perhaps with enough steam power the Loop season can be saved by running winter operations ... which will be great to have a rotary from Chama on the Loop since diesel 1203 was ordered by CHS to not have a plow.

I am feeling a positive charge ... or maybe a Jerry McQuire bad burrito moment.