At the risk of beating a long dead horse. The other day, I spoke with a gentleman who works for the Georgetown Loop. He said that they are selling out every train they are running. He said the operators were having some concerns over the amount of use the No.12 was getting. They think they are overloading it again. But here was the really interesting (and ironic) part. He told me that the Colorado Historical Society was in the market for an operational Shay. My jaw almost dropped. These are the same people who complained that the Shays were not historically accurate on the Loop (even though the Shays have hauled more passengers than the old C&S ever did). It was just one of the many issues that the CHS (and some Georgetown community business members) used to run the old operators out of town. Careful what you wish for folks. Eric
WOW!! You know, the more I work with these folks the more I realize just how beurocratic they really are. Frankly it would be better if they could get another 2-6-0 but Shays are not completely unprototypical...they DID run on the Argentine Central which was owned by the C & S. Additionally the Gilpin Tram used Shay engines exclusively (2' gauge) and this was also part of the C & S system. I guess what we are seeing here is idealist "preservation" versus realistic "operational" railroad. I think that there is a balance and both the operators and CHS need to find it. IMO as long as they are not running deisel power all is good John
That was also discussed. They have no intention of using the 44 tonner for runs as it was purchased solely for maintence use and casn't handle the passenger loads. Eric
Well, at least they are on the "right track" with that thinking. Man even if they could find an old C-16 2-8-0 it would be "prototypical" as the C & S leased a bunch of them from the DRG. It would be a shame if they ended up breaking the #12 again because they don't have enough power.... John
What possibilities are out there? Is there an engine, somewhere, that might be made available? Restorable? Boxcab E50
I never did hear what happened to the Shays that were running up there before...didn't they go the the Colorado Railroad Museum or something?? John
John, They did go to the Railroad Museum. I don't know if they are on loan to the museum or if they were sold to the museum. I'm pretty sure they are just on loan. Last year they repainted one for the Argentine Central for a steam-up. I think it would be a very cold day in hell if the CHS were able to convince the Ashbys to sell them a locomotive (or anything for that matter). Still alot of bad feelings there. I also forgot to mention that my source told me that the return of No.9 was not guaranteed as it was in really bad shape and the repairs maybe cost prohibitive. On a side note, Clear Creek County gov't bought the property that the old operators owned. This includes the old depot and the new RR office building across the street where the static shay is. I better get down there and get some pics before its moved. Eric
Guess I don't know the history of the Ashby's and CHS but if the engines were on loan then CHS likely would just take one or more back. This suggests that they sold them to CRM and if there is bad blood then that avenue is shut. What about that static Shay? Too far gone?? John
If I recall correctly, the previous operator owned their equipment. Thus when they left, took it with them. They probably have some sort of agreement at the museum, for use and storage. Just trying to think of where any possibly available 3 foot equipment might be acquired. If in condition to restore. Boxcab E50
