|
|
- CHS PUTS OUT RFB FOR C&S 9 RESTORATION
Posted Thursday, July 3 2008 at 1146 h MDT
Once again, the Colorado Historical Society has put out a Request for Bids to do an operating, FRA-compliant rebuild/restoration on C&S 2-6-0 #9. (Yes, if you're wondering, yet another one...) The State of Colorado has the announcement on their website, complete with bidding details - see [here].
Of interesting note is the 160 day completion requirement - I can't imagine what reasonable shop would even attempt that, but we shall see what those wacky folks at the CHS do this time. Speculation on NGDF says that this may be CHS's way of declaring #9 too expensive for an operating restoration, which if true, would be some good news. #9 is far too valuable to beat up as daily power on the Loop.
Meanwhile, last I knew the Loop is still running on 2-axle diesel #21 rather than the big new 1503, though that was several weeks ago. If anybody knows what they're running these days, let me know. Otherwise I'll check for myself one of these days. - NDHolmes
- RGS GOOSE 5 ARRIVES IN CHAMA, BLOWS AIR COMPRESSOR
Posted Friday, June 27 2008 at 2022 h MDT
The good news is that RGS Goose 5 arrived safely in Chama today and made a test run up the hill to Cumbres. The bad news is that their perennial bad luck on the C&TS struck again, when the air compressor failed and blew a chunk out of the side.
Nathan Z. had tickets on its trip from Chama to Antonito tomorrow, and thus was down there to catch its test run today. He's posted a photo of the failed compressor on NGDF [here]. The Goose guys have sent someone back to get the old one, and are looking at making the one off of the 5-ton Rogers locomotive in Chama work.
Update (30-Jun-2008 0820h): Apparently the culprit was the new adapter plate that held the new air compressor to the engine. Nathan Z. reports that when manufactured, nobody drilled oil holes to provide the pump bearings with lubrication. Regardless, the Goose team has things fixed up, and the Goose made its scheduled run on Sunday (though passengers were brought up to Cumbres on the normal train to meet the Goose). - NDHolmes
- RGS GOOSE 4 RESTORATION
Posted Wednesday, June 25 2008 at 1254 h MDT
The Telluride Volunteer Fire Department - the caretakers of Telluride's RGS Goose 4 - have signed an agreement with the Ridgway Railroad Museum to have them restore the body of RGS 4. After over 50 years of sitting outside, Goose 4 has definitely started to show signs of deterioration. That said, the restoration will not include the engine or drive train, so RGS 4 will continue to be only a static display piece. More details can be found in [this Ridgway Sun article].
In late May/early June, the motor was moved by truck to Ridgway, and the work is anticipated to take three years. Photos can be found on the Ridgway Railroad Museum's website [here]. - NDHolmes
- KREMMLING DEPOT ON SHORT TIME
Posted Monday, June 23 2008 at 2125 h MDT
The old D&SL depot in Kremmling is the only example of its kind remaining, but unless the locals manage to get a brief reprieve and a way to move it, there won't be any surviving examples soon. Because of a 2008 project by Union Pacific to "clean up" the property between Denver and Glenwood, the depot will be destroyed unless the locals and the Grand County Historical Association can find a way to move it off UP property. They've taken up a petition to ask UP for an extension, but as far as I know have neither gotten it, nor found funding for a move and a suitable new site. If anyone has more details, let me know and I'll post them.
Another property in danger is the old shed in Granby, currently being renovated by a local modeling group to house a model railroad celebrating the Moffat Road. The group acquired the building at public auction last summer, have been leasing the ground under it from UP, and have put a significant amount of money into remodeling and renovation. They've been officially notified by UP to remove the building by 1-Aug-2008.
For more details, see [this article] in the Vail Daily News.
Nathan Z. reports the timetable for dismantling at Kremmling is on the order of a couple weeks at this point, so if you can help out, now's the time. Otherwise, get your photos sooner rather than later. - NDHolmes
|
|
|
|
| Recent Trip Reports |
| SL&RG 18's First Run |
| Posted: Jun 10, 2008 |
| | The San Luis & Rio Grande fires up their second steam engine for its inaugural run on 3-May-2008's Trains Unlimited photo special. Also, see two daylight freights over La Veta and one of 1744's few trips to Antonito. - NDH |
| |
| A Look Inside the TTC |
| Posted: Apr 26, 2008 |
| | A rare glimpse inside the AAR/TTCI's Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO - NDH |
| |
| UP's 2008 Engineering Special |
| Posted: Apr 15, 2008 |
| | Photos of UP's 2008 Engineering Special, complete with DDA40X 6936, as it crosses Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. - NDH |
| |
| Many more Trip Reports... |
|
|
|
|
