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Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Historic Car Project
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Author:  SouPac [ Sat May 12, 2018 10:42 am ]
Post subject:  Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Historic Car Project
The special projects department has completed the first of four 1880s wooden coach rehabilitation’s this week with the roll out of Jackson and Sharpe built coach 292. A 17 month project funded by state historical foundation grants, the project was conducted according to Secretary of Interior standards to a period of significance c. 1916. This historic consist will be pulled behind DRG 168, an 1883 4-6-0 built specifically for passenger service. We are in the process of grant writing and fundraising for the new passenger trucks required for the historic fleet as these cars all lost their trucks as they were downgraded to work train service in the mid 20th century. As such, all these cars arrived in seriously deteriorated condition. My thanks to my team in special projects for all their hard work turning out this beautiful work! Coach 256 is the next project and all funding is lined up for this project, which is expected to take two years. Thank you for your interest and I hope to see you all in narrow gauge country soon!

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Author:  Zak Lybrand [ Sat May 12, 2018 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Historic Car Project
That is seriously impressive, Stathi. Bravo to you and your crew!
Author:  Dave [ Sat May 12, 2018 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Historic Car Project
Yes, impressive - also impressed that you could find your way through the application of the Standards - written for buildings - to railroad cars. Please tell us more about it - I never could find my way through the compromises and reality to a satisfactory result.
Author:  SouPac [ Sat May 12, 2018 7:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Historic Car Project
Thanks all for the kind words!

Dave, regarding SOI Standards, it is true that a great deal of interpretation exists as to how to apply an approach most applicable to buildings to railroad vehicles. Our approach, working closely with shpo and the state historical fund preservation specialists was pretty simple actually. First, FRA safety standards had to preempt preservation standards as this was a rehabilitation to service. If the repairs necessary for safe operation were not acceptable, then the project would not have been undertaken. Also by calling this a rehabilitation, it allowed leeway in interpretation conducive to making choices for safe operation. Third, for non structural and non safety related fabric, we did everything possible to rehabilitate the historic fabric regardless of difficulty or cost. This established credibility immediately with the historic preservation specialists and architects. Any replacements were in kind and we were rigorous in documenting the decision making process for 100 percent transparency.

Obviously this approach will only work if the stakeholders are bought in to the underlying philosophy. Your mileage may vary depending on your shpo and local preservation community. I will say that my former life in industrial archaeology, masters degree and Ph D (abd) in historic preservation helped immensely by establishing credibility early, and by just being able to explain processes using the jargon and approach used in preservation circles. Those who know me would know that I don’t usually speak much about my background, but in this case it was invaluable to build relationships and trust so that appropriate resolution to questions could be collaborated.

I don’t know if any of this is helpful to others, but somehow it seemed to work here. If anyone has any other questions I would be happy to dicuss what worked here.
Author:  Bob Hall [ Sun May 13, 2018 8:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Historic Car Project
Stathi,
Can you tell me about those interior lights? Are they original or repros? Are they the type originally used in the car or "representative"?
Cheers, Bob
Author:  SouPac [ Sun May 13, 2018 9:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Historic Car Project
Bob,

The lamps are exact replicas of Adams and Westlake 91 1/2 coach lamps that were standard for DRG coaches. Although not inexpensive, these were made by WT Kirkman and turned out beautifully. I chose to also have an led added to the smoke bells to illuminate the chimneys, an effect that is very convincing. Although everything is present to potentially burn these lamps, I did not want to risk the artifact with open flame.
Author:  John Risley [ Mon May 14, 2018 8:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Historic Car Project
Very nicely done. Stunning actually. Congrats to all involved with making it happen.

Regards, John.
Author:  SouPac [ Tue May 15, 2018 8:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Historic Car Project
Thanks all for the kind words.
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