Re: Update on the Loop

Quote

The Cumbres and Toltec ran fine for 1 season with one locomotive and they have 64 miles a day to run.

Two things you might want to consider Michael:

As an ex-GTL Inc. guy once pointed out to me - when you add up the mileage for all of the trips made in a single mid-season day on the Loop, and consider that all of that mileage is on steep grades and sharp curves, rather than just some, you pretty quickly figure out that motive power on the Loop takes every bit of the daily beating that C&TS motive power does, and arguably more. Don't make the mistake of underestimating how hard the Loop is on its motive power each and every day of operation - especially as it's one of the prime mistakes the CHS has continually made since the change of operators.

And as for the single season the C&TS ran with one locomotive, you're greatly mistaken if you think that the RR ran "fine". The C&TS limped through that season on a limited schedule and survived only because of the hard work and dedication of its very experienced maintenance and operating crews, a lot of sweat and late nights, and, as I think even the most dedicated of the C&TS folks would admit, a good measure of plain old luck.

Neither RR will run for long or run well with only a single locomotive, and the fact that #12 is a light one doesn't help a bit. The surprise this year would've been if they hadn't lost operating days.

I don't spend my days in the Silverplume shop, so I've no idea how good, bad or indifferent daily maintenance is on the Loop these days, and I expect you really don't either. But good or bad, the underlying problem isn't about daily maintenance.

Be a bit careful with those quick, judgemental throwaway lines.

Scott



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2007 05:23PM by Scott Turner.