Oh well, "Here he goes again" is back!
Maybe someone has already mentioned this, (just looked in on this and haven't read all written in this thread) but it seems to me that it would be a waste to put 315 back into the park so early. Even if brought out on occasion, once back in storage it gets more difficult to
get them out - let alone the proper care necessary to keep it servicable.
Engines just seem to operate better if kept out there in service. Easy to say when ownership and moneys are not there to support it. Also, When your set up to maintain K engines and a C engine shows up - ouch.
Remember, when the 346 was brought into Ala after RWR bought it, the switch crew set it on the shop lead, and when the Genl Foreman Pappy Frey came to work the next morning, he about had a heart attack and was heard to yell that what was that engine doing here? Doesn't the company realize that we don't have any spares for those C-19's?!
So, even tho it appears that the D&S doesn't desire (at least for the moment) a C class engine in its stable, perhaps a reconsideration would be in order.
Would it be possible to operate the engine on an advertised basis, allbeit say 1 to 3 times a month as a special operation or as part of one of the regular trips to Silverton? Charge some extra dollars, and use part of that funding to maintain the engine when it goes back into storage and part for operation. Advertise it as just that - what the additional charges will be used for and what it gets the rider. Operate as a special, perhaps with a business car and coach or two.
Will it bring alot of bucks? Maybe not at first, but if not run to often, and with some extra amenaties, it might be a worthy experiment.
It seems a shame to do the amount of work to get it to this point and now let be set aside. It easy for me to make a suggestion not knowing all of the operating situations in Dgo or the work necessary for the D&S to support this type of operation ,including use of a "leased engine", assuming an acceptable agreement can be reached between the City and the D&S.
Anyway, obviously there would be alot more to this. But what ever the end result, please, keep the engine running, even if only a few times each year. Too neat to see it sitting, it did that for 50 years. Everyone did such a great job, both volunteers and those on the D&S.
Cannot something be worked out?
Chris Ahrens
