Regrettably, it's only a cash asset when there's a buyer. Can someone nominate a potential buyer out there? I don't think Strasburg is buying.......... maybe Valley RR or St. Luis & Rio Grande? Hell, I'd love to see 4960 spend a year on the Verde Canyon RR, but it ain't gonna happen.

As for scrap prices: I recently interviewed a microbrewery owner that just bought a larger brewing system on the other side of the country. He was told by the broker that the broker had big cash offers from THREE scrappers after the stainless steel for China! Apparently any surplus brewing equipment from failed/upgrading breweries has been promptly scrapped, and the glut of stuff from six years ago has turned into a critical shortage............

The people at the Rio Grand Scenic Railroad are very interested in the 4960. They are already using former GCRy 18 on thier run over La Veta Pass.

My history with that engine goes back over 50 years now (I had my first cab ride on it), and I would like to see it running and cared for as it deserves to be.

I would suggest a word of moderation in regards to steams future on the GCRR. The current orders from senior mgt. to the shop forces is to keep the locomotives current with their FRA paperwork and to store they serviceable and in a ready to return to service condition.

Contrary to many internet postings not all of the steam force was layed off and several senior steam men remain on the payroll. It is their current understanding from senior mgt. that steam will be used occassionally in 2009 for certain "special occassions".

Seems to me that with ownership of the property soon to pass to Phil Anshutz it's premature to think we know how it will all shake out.

I'd suggest some positive thinking.

Ross Rowland

Ross is right on the button with this observation. Those locomotives are an asset rather than a liability, particularly if kept in serviceable shape. Until we hear a pronouncement, one way or the other, I would think a few words of positive encouragement should be voiced.
Thank you, Mr. Rowland!

Everything I have been told says that steam is not finished, jut a change of priorities. There are some things going on that will mean steam will still be used but not everyday. No one has given an indication of what the new owners intend to do yet.

These two locomotives are the most advaced steamers around which are regularly worked so every effort is being made to see that they will continue working.

What exactly do you mean by stuffed and mounted? How is it different from a stored-serviceable condition?

4960 is now parked in the open "on display". To me, that means subject to weather and vandalism.

If the letter from Judi Lages, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, is to be believed, this was done in the interest of being green and saving the environment. Taking this position will make it difficult to back down on their decision.

What I am asking is this: Is there anything about this stuffed and mounted status that is different from an engine simply being parked cold in a way that it could be readily fired up and returned to service? Some have indicated that the GCRR has not laid all the steam people off, and will continue to maintain the locomotives in a serviceable condition for possible future operation.

However, an engine being stuffed and mounted seems to imply that it has been retired with no intention of being operated again. But I am wondering if we can really draw that conclusion if an engine is simply parked outdoors. If it were parked on a piece of panel track with a fence around it and interpretive signage, then I would conclude that it has been retired permanently.

I am just trying to reconcile the apparently opposing views about Xanterra's intent as to whether their discontinuance of steam is permanent. It sure would be nice if they would clarify their position.

Previous display practice at GCRY is to place the locomotive, intact, right up alongside the terminal building in Williams. They did display a parts loco across the street at one time, in a parking lot, but that locomotive was already stripped. If 4960 is where I think it will have been placed, there will be little likelihood of her being vandalized. The depot is heavily trafficked and attached to a hotel. Furthermore, the C of C building is across the Santa Fe tracks. A vandal in that location should wear his bullet-proof underoos.

What does "c of c" stand for?

The term "c of c" is Chamber of Commerce. It is in the old Santa Fe freight depot across the tracks from Max and Thelma's. The old business car track is usually used for a locomotive display. 20 sat there for years and then 18 for a while after the 2002 season. 3751 was parked there during it's visit.

In talking to my ex coworkers their many more unknowns than knowns at this point on what the future holds. Time will tell the results of any decision. One should consider that the first announcement their was to be no regularly scheduled steam in the 2009 season. Perhaps if numbers continue to drop from the non-railfan market that truly influences GCR ridership the decision would change.

They let people go based upon their seniority with the company. There are several people still in the shop who have years of experience who are still there. Some of the people let go have been given other positions in the company. Time will tell how this settles out.

Robby