Have I ever ridden the McCloud? Every bit of it that was still down, and have hiked What wasn't down. I refilled the Bartle Tank a few years ago too--and it would have been used, but the valve chain broke. I've ridden the cab of 25 and 19, I made the cab awnings that are on the 25 too. I wasn't saying we'd have any of the incredible scenery and right of way, just that it would be nice to keep the locomotives together, instead of scattered about the countryside.
Keep the 25 in McCloud on display? So the Whistle can be cut off one night like the SP 1727 in Dunsmuir (along with some other "jewels")? Have the cab stripped of parts? No, I used to think we could keep engines on display intact, but no more. As much as the 25 deserves to be in McCloud (and in many ways, the 18 even more so, as that's the engine that carried the McCloud through the great depression) she should only stay there if she can run!
It kills me to see "my" childhood railroad die, but it would be even sadder to see the steamers scattered to the winds. Sadly, the YW can't be far behind either.
Steamcerely,
David Dewey
Native Jeffersonian