History of C&S/RGS #74 Update

[Mike Trent]

I was shocked this morning to find that the entirety of Bill White's RGS Technical Pages, including my history of #74, has disappeared from the internet.

I have written to the present caretaker of that material, Steven Haworth, for information about this.

But I have decided, since I have copyrighted the C&S #74 article, and it belongs to me, that I will recreate it better and updated. Thank God I have a hard copy of the original, and all of the photos and permissions from over 20 years ago. So it will be back, and forever.

Maybe we can post it here. Can't think of a better place! Darel?

Probably should have done this years ago.

Needed updating anyway, I'll be looking for all kinds of help!

Mike

[Mike Trent]

Well, that didn't take long.

When I wrote the original #74 history, I used Microsoft Word. Is it OK to use that today for conversion to readable website text? Or should I download something else for this use?

Sorry, I'm really an ancient dinosaur when it comes to this stuff.

[Jeff Young]

Hi Mike,

Word is still pretty universal, so I suspect Darel can take it easily enough.

Cheers,
Jeff.

[Mike Trent]

Thanks, Jeff. I' m pretty bumfuddled about having to do this, but it will be great to add some of our info from this site as udpdates!

[Darel Leedy]

Yes Sir. Won't be a problem Mike. Happy to keep it here on the blog too. However, I'm in the process of moving over the next few weeks. So it may be a bit before I can get to it. It'll give you ample time to update the information

[Mike Trent]

Thanks, Darel. I am tracking down a lead on the whereabouts of Bill's original documents. I told Bill I'd keep them if he doesn't want them back. But we should be able to get my stuff back.

Todd H and I want to update and add material, so it will be a while.

[nickgully]

Some of it is on the archive.org web archive:

https://web.archive.org/web/20150419181202/http://www.riograndesouthern.com/RGSTechPages/_bdwhite/index.htm

-Nick

[Mike Trent]

Looks like somebody is trying to bring it back up. Wasn't there Saturday.

Thanks, Nick

[Kurt Maechner]

Hi Mike,
I've been working on a long project with 74's history as part of it.  I have long notes from various sources on the engine.  I'm happy to share them if they might be of help for your update.

[Mike Trent]

Hi, Kurt. Thanks, yes, we would be very interested in any new and verifiable information that may have come to light in the last 22 years and earlier. History is a moving target. Particularly regarding mechanical aspects from shop work and even some of the moves, and other such things that have gone on since I "finished" this back in July, 1999.

We will be happy to properly attribute any information to you and other sources. Photos, drawings,  etc. Even other things that might be enlightening for a full understanding of #74, operating practices, and so forth.

I am aware of a few errors that need to be corrected already. When we originally posted this article, I had no idea how difficult it would be to make additions and corrections along the way. We will make every effort to be sure this doesn't happen again!

Thanks to you and all for your interest and for sharing. We have a lot to do

My email is:
[e-mail]



I

[Mike Trent]

Greetings.

Today, for me, is like awakening from a fever dream.

We (Todd, actually)has evidently been able to recover, restore, and reformat the C&S #74  article from a series of zip files that were sent to us by Steven Haworth.

As soon as we can arrange it, the original file will be uploaded here, from which we can add updates and other information.

Also, Bill White has the complete set from the RGS Technical Pages, so he can save, restore, and upload to a new viable site of his choosing.

Thanks ever so much to Steven, Bill W, and especially my long friend and compadre Todd Hackett for everything you guys have done to throw a lifeline to the #74 Article, which represents the lives, adventures, memories of so many as related to this story. I've spent hours recalling in the last few days the time sitting around with old timers now long long gone, in living rooms, and in some cases chatting with others with my Dad when I was just a kid. Now, I AM that old guy! How did that happen??

Anyway, this is our story now, it belongs here to us, and can be preserved!

[Jim Courtney]

This will be a great location for the article on C&S #74, Mike. Either in the "Files" section, or here on the "Forum", perhaps both.

Darel and Roper's place has become the C&S online encyclopedia that I always hoped it would be.

[Mike Trent]

Thanks, Jim. I totally agree!