C&S 71 could steam again: exciting or concerning?

[Kurt Maechner]

I know some are already in the know, but I just caught wind of an attempt to resurrect the late 1980s Central City tourist line by the same person/people who ran it back then.  The group is named the Central City Railroad and Mining Museum.  Some info and documents concerning their goals and a recent meeting are listed in a post here.  I also have a link in the post to a discussion with insights from those much closer to the situation.
Kurt

[South Park]

  I see the NGDF is still 5% knowers and 95% argumentative idiots.

[Rick Steele]

Please don't count me as argumentative. I am aware of the Principal, I am aware of what he has done.

Although I am for the railroad, I think that he is not the best man for the job under ANY circumstances.

Based on personal experience.

Rick

[Chris Walker]

I thought that the #71 looks pretty good outside the Casino for what its worth as a display, most likely could use a spruce up in the paint dept by now.



I'd be thinking what sort of person would consider opening that historic Combine up to everyday use such as being promulgated, once again.  Get yourself a Trainset, mate.  

[South Park]

  Rick ~

  You are one of the most knowing, ground-level experienced, and knowing NG guys
around, ...  at least in the areas you have exposure.  You have always been a straight
shooter.  Like you, I know all about the Principal and the high level of care he bestowed
upon the equipment while he held the reigns.

  Likewise, I am pretty sure you know who all the "usual suspects" are over there on
the NGDF that just run their gums and generally whine about everything.  The site is
rife with them.

  It seems there are two types of old railroad enthusiasts, ....  those who dig in and get
the job done, ... be that historical research or actual hands-on help on site at the railroads.

  And then there are the cutesy guys who, as I used to joke when I was out changing ties
and doing other track work, "just want to run the choo-choo".  Their input on sites like
the NGDF is directly reflective of being "that guy".

  I have not been "over there" in many years.  The endless armchair whining of how the
C&T was being run caused me to ask the primary agitators how much time they spent
out on the line, clearing brush, changing ties, painting rolling stock, whatever.  I hurt
some feelings and ran out of Hurt Feelings Reports to hand out.  Call me old fashioned,
but only those with some sweat in the game get to have a say in how the game gets played.
I find it hard to not speak up when those not working want to tell those who are how to do
their job.  Oh yeah, ...  and then there is that whole "have a sense of humor" thing ....

  This forum seems blessed to be free of such vacuous contributors.  Knock on wood.  

[Jeff Young]

This site does indeed have an astonishingly high level of civility and contribution.  Long may it continue....

[ComoDepot]

I believe there was some sort of presentation last week.

Having read the proposal I question how they could operate reliably with one locomotive, there are minimum requirements to operate and putting aside all the other issues they do not have it.

[jason midyette]

Rick Steele wrote

Please don't count me as argumentative. I am aware of the Principal, I am aware of what he has done.

Although I am for the railroad, I think that he is not the best man for the job under ANY circumstances.

Based on personal experience.

Rick

Amen!

A succinct and spot on assessment.

For any that are curious, just look at what happened last time these folks were given control of 71. (1987-1990)

Jason Midyette

[South Park]

  But can he dance ?  

[Robert McFarland]

Can who dance?

[South Park]

  The Principal.

[Robert McFarland]

What about the School Nurse?I'm sure she can do better.Seriously I think 71 should remain a museum piece and be protected  from further damage.Couldn't somebody find her a building-not just a shelter?

[Todd A Ferguson]

Doesn’t boiler certification become an issue in trying to operate these old locomotives?

[South Park]

  Yes, ... but only when you try to operate them !  

[Kurt Maechner]

Todd, your question reminded me of something that I recall reading about the guy who revived No. 71 back in the 80's.  I'm going from memory so I don't want to say this is gospel, but I remember reading that he somehow illegally manipulated the situation at his tourist railroad to get around the boiler inspections.  Again, I can't recall specifics.  Needless to say, it is a big deal when operating any boiler.  The Chief Mechanical Officer at the Georgetown Loop explained to me that boiler regulations were the reason why, when they got IRCA 40 back to Silver Plume they had to do a complete tear down and work on the boiler before they could use her again.  It only makes sense that anyone trying to get 71 up and running again would have to do the same.

[ComoDepot]

I believe the Loop is controlled by the Feds not the State.

[Todd A Ferguson]

Last I knew it was controlled by the Colorado State Historical Society...

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On Nov 14, 2019, at 11:16 AM, ComoDepot [via C&Sng Discussion Forum] <[hidden email]> wrote:

I believe the Loop is controlled by the Feds not the State.

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[Todd Hackett]

Todd A Ferguson wrote

Last I knew it was controlled by the Colorado State Historical Society...

> On Nov 14, 2019, at 11:16 AM, ComoDepot wrote:
>
> I believe the Loop is controlled by the Feds not the State. ...

I think the question is dealing with regulatory authority, not ownership or operational control. History Colorado (formerly the Colorado Historical Society) owns the basic railroad and much of the equipment, and manages operation through the concessionaire, who owns the rest of the equipment and manages day-to-day operation. I think the ICC and FRA (federal authorities) have limited authority because there is no interstate interchange and no public road crossings. I thought there was some contention about this because there was a short road that wan't much more than a driveway, but I thought the state bought out the one person who lived up there many years ago to eliminate that issue. There still may be some federal regulations that must be met, and I suspect they probably still try to meet federal regulations just to be safe, but it was my (very limited) understanding that the boiler enforcement was primarily from the state. The codes they need to meet are largely from ASME, which is national but not federal (a nation-wide organization recognized by nearly all U.S. jurisdictions, but not part of the U.S. federal government).

[ComoDepot]

The Feds can basically decide how to determine the regs and I was told some time back after I think an incident they decided the Loop fell within their control.

[Todd A Ferguson]

I would think the boiler(s) would have to be certified safe when you are hauling the public and for insurance reasons...  Just my opinion...

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 14, 2019, at 9:19 PM, ComoDepot [via C&Sng Discussion Forum] <[hidden email]> wrote:

The Feds can basically decide how to determine the regs and I was told some time back after I think an incident they decided the Loop fell within their control.

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