The city of Boulder Colorado has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the cosmetic restoration of former Colorado & Northwestern locomotive #30. Responses to the RFP are due by June 29 and it is expected that the restoration will be completed by July of next year.

#30 is a 2-8-0 that was built by Brooks in 1898 for the narrow gauge Colorado & Northwestern, which ran west out of Boulder. It later served both the Colorado & Southern and Rio Grande Southern as their #74. The locomotive has been on display in Boulder since 1952 and is the only surviving C&N-W locomotive.

In 2004, #30 was moved from Boulder to Uhrich Locomotive works in Strasburg Colorado to undergo an operational restoration for use on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. The locomotive proved to need to much work, including a new boiler and frame, to make an operational restoration feasible.

Information on the RFP, including requirements for potential bidders can be found on the City of Boulder’s website at www.bouldercolorado.gov/purchasing .