I have received several inquiries about the GP9 so I thought I would post some more info on it;

- The locomotive has only one of the now required alignment control couplers (rear) the front coupler is original. Any movement by rail will be via the BNSF which will require alignment control couplers.

- Access to live rail is blocked by a grade crossing that has been buried under about a foot of new asphalt as well as a guard rail. Getting the locomotive out while possible, will be a major undertaking.

Jason Midyette

Fortunately, some of the equipment has to be retuned to the Museum of Railway Workers which has a return-transfer clause for the equipment it donated.

Dan Quiat
President, MRW

Dan -

Can you tell us which pieces of equipment have to be returned to your organization? Also, can you tell us where your group is located?

Thanks.


Les

Yes please elaborate Dan, i don't want to waste my time and others going after items that are not the museums property to dispose off.

Mike Pannell

HPRPA Cheyenne

I don't think it was mentioned in this thread, but what is the future of the narrow gauge cars shown in the photo series? One car, at least, is said to be privately owned in the photos. I believe the City of Boulder maintains ownership of a passenger coach which is largely living at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

And having been to the CRRM, I cant imagine getting a bunch more standard gauge equipment makes much sense, unless they get the Coors branch to operate upon and build more storage tracks/buildings.

All of the narrow gauge cars that were at the BCRHS/BVRHS site were privately owned (with the exception of the City of Boulder's D&RGW caboose 04990 that was repaired at the site after a fire in 2007), and all were moved elsewhere by 2011.

Jason Midyette

What's the story about this museum folding up?
Could be a good cautionary tale for others...

Long and short of it (in my personal opinion only), is a non sustainable business model coupled with a leadership that while perhaps good intentioned, insisted on continuing down the same path, doing the same things, hoping for different results. As has been widley attributed to Einstein and others, this is the definition of insanity and it ended predictably. If it does not work the first, doing it again wont help.

Absolutely a cautionary tale. Once the dust has settled and the equipment has a home, I might consider writing the book on this one.

Jason Midyette

We could add chapters on Fernley, NV, Pemberton, NJ, Trolleyville, Minnesota Zephyr, Morehead and North Fork, Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, Filmore and Western, and all of those urban/waterfront heritage trolley systems that enjoyed a brief revival in the 70s, 80s and 90s. I am sure I am missing a few other recent demisals.

Don't count the Fillmore and Western RR (Fillmore CA, North of LA) as down and out yet!

They are fighting hard to stay alive, and their Rail Fest is next month, April 25-26.

Sorry about the delay!

The equipment covered by a return clause is:

the Drop bottom Gon UP 908372

D&RGW 3219 flatcar and the

Fairmont crane.

Now that said, if there are better historic places to display that equipment I am certainly willing to entertain them. Otherwise, I do have some track space in Denver and Colorado Springs. DQ

Dan -

Thanks for the info.


Les

Hi to all
I am meeting with a spokesperson tomorrow at the site and will take many pictures....will report back monday

Mike Pannell

Anything new going on with this equipment?

I dont know of anything going on at this point, we are in tentative negotiations over a few potential items but cannot comment further at this time.

Mike Pannell
High Plains Railroad Preservation Association