| Railway Preservation News https://www.rypn.org/forums/ |
|
| Help The Smoke By Wasatch Railroad Contractors https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21160 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | John E. Rimmasch [ Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Help The Smoke By Wasatch Railroad Contractors |
We posted this note today on Narrow Gauge Dead Goat Saloon. The artical we posted yesterday raised a number of questions. The discussion is worth having here on RYPN as this issue will face all of us in this industry at some time. Enjoy! John E. Rimmasch Posted NGdeadgoatsaloon 8/16/06 Some Food For Thought from Wasatch Railroad Contractors: First of all, this is our first time in the narrow gauge Dead Goat Saloon. What a nice page with obviously many viewers. Our hats off to you guys, you all seem very passionate about preservation. Having read all of the posts in regard to the Smoke Mitigation Project, let me offer some food for thought. With these explanations may I also offer to all of you an opportunity to help us with this project. The D&SNG as well as our company and the Economic Development Task force that has provided the grant all want public views and opinions on this matter. Please flood my e-mail box with notes regarding your feelings. Wasatch Railroad Contractors will consider any and all opinions in regard to this issue. My personal e-mail is jrimmasch@wasatch-rr-contractors.com. You can also reach me through our web page by going to www.wasatch-rr-contractors.com and clicking on Contact Us. All of that said; here is the food for thought. 1. This project is being funded by the community. In other words, many companies including the D&SNG have put money into this project. It is not strictly a tax payer funded project. The community and the railroad have joined hands to form a task force to review the problem and present feasible solutions. Having been involved in a number of meetings, I have to tell you, this is a joint project with full support from all parties. 2. There is no requirement to “eliminate” all smoke. This would be impossible……oil fuel or otherwise. If you burn anything that contains carbon, it will smoke. The question is; What can be done to improve air quality during the idle times at the round house? All of us have been there, we have all seen, smelled and even choked on the thick smoke that can be common with the over night hostling. Never once have we been given the impression that the smoke….rather 100% of it must be eliminated. The goal, improve overnight air quality. To this effort D&SNG has expended many dollars in smoke scrubbers and it is clear that the railroad wants to make the situation as comfortable as possible for everybody. After all, the riders of the train also lodge in Durango. 3. Mr. Harper, owner of the D&SNG is and has been committed to the historical significance of the locomotives. We all owe Mr. Harper and his staff a very heart felt thank you for doing what they do and for remaining fully committed to the historical significance of the train. Mr. Harper has made it clear that as long as he operates the railroad, it will be historically accurate. Again, thank you Mr. Harper for your commitment to historical value. Further, Mr. Harper and his staff have opened a public web discussion forum for the residence of Durango to voice comments and concern. Beyond a shadow of a doubt the railroad has concern for the community. 4. Never once, during any meeting we have attended have we heard these words…..”The train smokes….get rid of it.” There is (as far as we can tell) no intention to eliminate the train. The train is an economic developer. It is vital to the sustainability of the community and it needs to stay. 5. We (WRC) as railfan’s and historian’s feel that options exist that will accomplish all of the goals. We feel through proven technology that the historical significance of the locomotives can be maintained and that there are technologies that exist and that have been proven that can “mitigate” the problem. Yes such things as stationary boilers, alternative overnight fuels as well as other possible solutions will be reviewed. Grand Canyon Railway has tried some of these techniques as have others both in and out of our country. The D&SNG is a leader in the tourist rail industry. It says a lot about them when they are willing to consider this technology with the stipulation that historical value is to be maintained. Therefore, we (you folks and us) have been given a challenge to review the technology, apply what can be applied and therefore “mitigate” the problem creating a win-win for the community and the railroad. We should all support the project In closing I would invite all of you to review this note and consider the whole story. Our industry (steam preservation) will be faced more and more with this issue. It is up to us as “historians” to provide the solutions before somebody gets the idea that it is easier to eliminate us than to work with us. Our ability as railfan’s to provide solutions will preserve what we love so much. So, again I call on all readers, of all ages, send us your feelings. Send us your opinions, be proactive with us in finding good solutions to seemingly simple problems. Though these forums can be home of ill feelings and harsh words, let us use this forum and this project as way to show our support and be active in the solution process. Call me, write me, e-mail me. Our team wants to hear from you. What do you think will help (and no, eliminating the Nimby’s is probably not the best solution at least politically). Thank you for the open ear and willingness to help. We will keep you posted! Respectfully, John E. Rimmasch On behalf of the entire Wasatch Railroad Contractors team. |
|
| Author: | Dave [ Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Help The Smoke By Wasatch Railroad Contractors |
I wonder if the use of a cleaner, less volatile grade of coal - maybe Pennsylvania Anthracite - could be used to keep a banked fire burning overnight on spot when not under scrubbers in the RH? Certainly the higher cost of importing a cleaner fuel will be mitigated by the minimal quantities required for just this part of the service. Coke may be another possibility if it is available more locally. dave |
|
| Author: | bobyar2001 [ Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Where does D&SNG get its coal? |
The D&RGW used to get coal (trucked) from the King Cole mine, near Hesperus, on the old RGS route. I recall a TV report in the 1970s that King Cole was selling at about six dollars a ton, whereas people in Vermont who still burned anthracite rice were paying as much as $100 a ton. The female owner of the King Cole was being taken to task for not letting federal inspectors into her mine, but did allow state inspectors. Does D&S still get coal from there? |
|
| Author: | softwerkslex [ Thu Aug 17, 2006 12:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Where does D&SNG get its coal? |
Home furnace coal is sold in small quantities, usually bagged, so I am not sure the price comparison is valid. Transportation is a large part of the cost, and of course, the number of distribution points (middlemen). Because Durango is far off the rail network, trucking coal from Antonito is a nasty expense, so outside coal may very well be expensive. |
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ] |
| Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |
|