Blackhawk-Central-City-Narrow-Gauge-Railroad-Restoration-Project

[Doug Heitkamp]

Interesting, hadn't heard of these folks…….



Blackhawk-Central-City-Narrow-Gauge-Railroad-Restoration-Project

[Robert McFarland]

From all the stories I've heard of 71's present condition,I would say that it would be better to leave her where she's at.The museum at Ridgeway was talking about having a replica of  RGS #36 built-why not take that route?

[Rick Steele]

There's so much of the Right-of-way that has been destroyed by Hell's Caterpillars that the line from Black Hawk up to the tail of the first switchback would have to be completely regraded and rebuilt. They would have a better chance of redoing the Gilpin Tram than the old C&S. There is more of the tram left.

Actually, if they are so bent on building a railroad, why not build a line using the original right of way from Central City to where the grade disappears under those big parking lots that they built up on the hillside for the gamblers and just use the railroad to shuttle people into Central City, Central City has been suffering at the hands of the Big Casino Operators in Black Hawk.

Of course the floundering fathers of Central City also put a much higher tax on the "door Tax" for the gambling establishments than Black Hawk did when the gambling laws were passed, so all the money flowed down the mountain to Black Hawk where it was cheaper to do business, and easier to snare them off of Colo. 119.

As far as the 71 goes, I would have the locomotive thoroughly inspected from top to bottom after the Court Hammond debacle up there in 1984 to make sure that you aren't paying more for restoration than you would for a replica. I'm sure that John Rimmasch at Wasatch would be happy to give them a bid on a restoration versus a new locomotive. Leave it in the hands of the pros... There have been too many locomotives that have met their doom by well meaning amateurs.

Rick

[Doug Heitkamp]

Thanks Rick, you always have such a way with words! I kind of figured it was more of a dream than reality. Either way, I'll wish them luck!

[Robert McFarland]

Replica.And instead of 71 do 70.It would burn oil and would be a representation of a locomotive that spent most of its time in the area.