Chaski postings illustrate an interesting preservation "rescue" problem.

http://www.chaski.org/railfan/viewtopic.php?t=679

Sloan

I visited this display in early October. The loco is DRGW #278. It does not suffer from vandalism. It suffers from being out in the elements for many years. There is no way anyone can get on to the trestle to vandalize the equipment plus the area is well patrolled by the NPS.

There has been much discussion about this display on several boards recently. I personally would prefer it be repaired and stay where it is. Yes, it creates a tremendous amount of upkeep. However, it is a truly unique display on the origional NG trestle comming out of the canyon. When you visit there you can visualize just what it would have been like with a train comming out of the canyon through that narrow area.

NPS is trying to get funds to repair/stabilze/restore it.

Bill

So the rest of the trestle fell down? I cannot see anyone tearing down the rest of the trestle and just leaving that section and the train out there.

Later!
Mr. Ed

As I recall (and this is from admittedly hazy memory), the approach spans were now-rotted-away wooden trestles while the one main span was/is steel or other heavy metal. That's typical of many such bridges out there, and it wouldn't surprise me at all that the approach spans are now gone as long as the main span is preserved in some fashion.

The approaches were purposely removed when the train was placed on the trestle for display. The trestle itself, as well as the abutments holding it, are in very good shape. The original roadbed deeper into the cayon is now under a lake created by a Morrow Point dam that is about 2/10 mile from the display. The road leading into the canyon, Morrow Point Dam Rd follows the orginal DRG r-o-w, but a road bridge parallels the testle.

Here's a link to wikipedia entry about the display..there is also a NPS link to their site about the display on there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D_&_RG_Narrow_Gauge_Trestle

Bill

Thanks for the replies, guys. Still boggles the mind that someone would strand equipment out there like that. It cannot be vandalized, but it cannot be maintained either. So what happens when it begins to fall apart? Call in a high priced crane to remove the remains?

Later!
Mr. Ed

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Mr Ed,
The equipment wasn't just stranded on the trestle on a whim. The purpose of the display when it was originally placed there was to show a train exactly as it would have appeared when trains were running on that very trestle coming out of the canyon. It does exactly that. You have to visit it to truly appreciate it.

It is not impossible to maintain...just poses some unique challeges. The logistical aspects of maintaining it are easily overcome. The main problem is that NPS has never been able to get Uncle Sam to cough up the bucks it takes. They are now trying a concerted effort to do just that. This location, as well as many national and state parks, suffers from the ongoing problem of tight budgets and lack of funds. Kinda like most museums and preservation goups suffer.
Bill

Sorry guys. I missed the part about the NPS owning it.

Later!
Mr. Ed

The NPS owns the display site and perhaps the cars, but the locomotive belongs to the City of Montrouse and is leased to the NPS. I believe that is part of the complication of the restoration funding.

It was also my understanding that the approach trestles were in place when the display was erected and the display train was wheeled on the the bridge on track. Then shortly thereafter a flood wiped out the approaches but not the steel span and the approaches were not rebuilt.

There has been much discussion of this display on the NGDF http://ngdiscussion.net in recent months.