Folks, I have been reading some litersture and newsletters about the Portola Railroad Museum. They say they have the best Diesel collection in the country.And I have seen the same said about the Diesel collection at the Illinois Railway Museum. They say they have the first of this and that Diesel etc.What do you all think?I am glad that the Portola folks after three trys now have a Western Pacific steam switcher. Steam and trains that's it for me!Ted Miles

I think the very best diesel collection of all is at Coca Cola, on the loading docks where they deliver the empty aluminum cans to be filled. Recycling is great. Diesels are "stinky boxes on tiny wheels" according to one of my kids.

Each Museum collection offers its own strengths and weaknesses. There is no room for "best" in my book - it is like the "favorite engine" debate.Wesley

The Portola RR museum has the best collection based on one railroad. For variety IRM wins. The collections of both of these musums are fully accessable so even unrestored equipment can be viewed. The CSRM also has a good diesel collection but most of it is stored away from the main museum. It will be nice when they open up the shop buildings so the rest of their collection can be viewed.

That should be we have the best preserved for a class 1.

I tend to agree with you Wes. "BEST" is very subjective. Is it the largest, the most number of different units, the most examples of one model, the most number of railroads represented, the widest variety of builders represented, the best regional grouping, the most number in operating condition, ETC ETC.I think every group does the best that it can in acquiring and preserving units and should be given kudos for what they have each accomplished.Bob Kutella

The Rock Island in the late 60's or the Milwaukee Road in the early 70's get my vote......................Don C.

[witty sarcasm]Yeah, Don, but then you have to factor in Bob's "most number in operating condition"..............(^_^)[/witty sarcasm]