I wish to publicly retract my previous statements referring to Chesapeake & Ohio wooden combine 409 at the B&O Museum "coming apart at the seams". I swung by today during my travels and grabbed a snapshot or two. Long story short, the car is suffering from peeling paint and the ravages of deferred maintenance, with a couple spots of body rot obvious, but the car is generally intact and seems basically watertight, although it could use a good coat of paint and other restoration. I obviously have my memory of 409 confused with another orange/yellow wooden combine hiding behind a chain-link fence. (Gee, *that* narrows the field quite a bit, aye?)

While I'm on the public apology bent, let me apologize to the subtle backhanded slight I committed when commenting on my thievery of GG1 parts. I mentioned donating parts to a couple G's for cab restoration. The primary beneficiary of these parts was the Harrisburg Chapter NRHS's 4859. I received a lengthy note from a RyPN lurker who was involved with the project that highlighted the near-impossibility of even accessing the cab for restoration, let alone opening it to the public. He even offered the return of the parts. Thus, don't think ill of the Harrisburg Chapter; it ain't their fault. <:-)

lner4472@bcpl.net

The primary
> beneficiary of these parts was the
> Harrisburg Chapter NRHS's 4859.

Actually, the 4859 is now owned by the Railroad Museum of PA. The Harrisburg Chapter NRHS folks were the longtime caretakers, and years ago ownership passed through the city of Harrisburg, to the local development authority and thence to the state.

The parts got handed to the Chapter the same day as the dedication in the station. So, details, schmetails...........

lner4472@bcpl.net