> Hi,

> Your question brings to mind another
> question that I'd like to here an opinion
> on.

> Many units, wether they were locomotives or
> rolling stock, were sold to shortlines after
> serving on class ones. These second hand
> pieces of equipment, might have been the
> shortlines only surviving example. So, when
> they are preserved, why are they repainted
> in the class ones scheme rather than the
> shortline scheme?

> I am a fan of the shortline and I don't like
> to see the shortline history lost and
> forgotten to reproduce a class one RR that
> may have 50 or so pieces of equipment
> already preserved.

> I would provide some examples, but I don't
> feel that's necesary. This doens't just go
> for diesels either. There are steam
> locomotives that have been done that way
> too.

> Stuart
Stuart, good point! I know of a recently restored steam locomotive that was used on a class one but now is in use on a shortline? or regional railroad.Their bulletin board had many notes on the restoration and paint scheme of said locomotive. The preservationists were not happy with the railroad's decision not to restore the locomotive to it's class one appearence,but to upgrade it to meet the new FRA rules and to paint and letter it for thrir railroad. The railroad did offer a comprise to use magnetic lettering and heralds representing the former class one heritage on speacil occasions. Happy Holidays to ALL,Jim

jjpfeil@worldnet.att.net

> Here in San Diego, we wish to present San
> Diego's railroad history. So, while the
> AT&SF has an ALCo RS-2 for many years
> switching the passenger trains at the Santa
> Fe Depot, that unit #2099 (the only one for
> Santa Fe) is long gone. What to do?

> We acquired a RS-2 and painted it AT&SF
> #2098 - looks great and works very well of
> our use.

So how does it "work very well of [y]our use?" How are you interpreting the engine? Is it part of an exhibit involving the Santa Fe Depot and the passenger trains? Do you explain the paint and lettering in signage on (or next to) the locomotive?

Or does it just exist as AT&SF #2098 and only the knowledgeable members know the significance?

As you can probably tell, I will only buy this business of changing paint and lettering for specific reasons. One, it is done for a mission driven need. Two, the artifiact is actively used in mission relative interpretation.

Brian Norden


bnorden49@earthlink.net

> So how does it "work very well of
> [y]our use?" How are you interpreting
> the engine?

On our walking tours, I explain the need for Santa Fe to turn trains on a wye in San Diego, I explain what the ALCo company was, and how this locomotive works.

While I would much prefer to have acquired the actual #2099, that one is long gone. And, because we are not presenting industrial railroad in the desert information, the #2098 is perfect.

JimLundquist55@yahoo.com