I agree with Dan. Did you see what was delivered to Oregon from Mexico? His analogy is right on. Be grateful that someone and his cohorts has the ability, and money, to make anything resembling a classic Alco PA out of that hulk. As a Santa Fe man I would have loved to see it Santa Fe too. But honoring his father and a treasured memory is important also. Did not BNSF pay to paint 4449 black, and to letter it BNSF? Then the BNSF paid to paint it back in Daylight colors. Why couldn't the PA be painted Santa Fe, or any other appropriate paint scheme, sometime in the future?

Most of us have had the privilege to stand trackside, to witness SP 4449 and a Daylight train. For that matter if you look really close it is a GS-4 with improvements. Note the sheet metal access doors on the skirts, or MU controls. All concerned who have restored and taken care of 4449 should be commended, and the rest of us should be able to appreciate it. Certainly there are politics and personalities involved. But the end result is an operable SP GS-4 and trains for future generations to enjoy. Why should expectations for the Alco PA be much different? How many other steam groups have had such a long history of success? We don't have to agree with the problems along the way. Just look at the results with 4449. Let us all hope the enthusiasm, talent, knowledge, strength and money hold out to finish the job, restoration or not. Just wish some railroad retirees we have known could see 4449 and/or the PA now.

Glen Icanberry
Redlands, CA