Re: ATSF Steam Engines missing from Sacramento Southern Railroad siding
Author: Buckethead
Date: 04-15-2011 - 13:15
Before this thread becomes a huge F--- the CSRM bashing, let me say this...
When the ATSF donated their collection to the CSRM, it was basically the ATSF saying to the CSRM "Here it comes!!!" The ATSF put the train together and sent it to CA. Whether the CSRM said yes or no, the collection was coming anyways. If the CSRM had said no, the collection was NOT going back to NM and there was no one else out there saying "give it to us."
Some ATSF president's wife thought it would be a great idea to give their heritage collection to CSRM and told her husband to do so, and he did. Let's face it, the ATSF had no interest at the time of a steam program and wanted to be rid of the "junk" taking up space in their facilities.
Now we all know that at the time, the CSRM lacked the facilities and funding to properly deal with the ATSF collection and it is where and how it is today. But realize that the ATSF is also to blame for the condition of their former collection when they DUMPED it on the CSRM.
And another thing, it was the ATSF that did not disconnect the pistons rods from the crossheads when they dragged the 5021 all the way to CA. They at least managed to get the 2900's disconnected but somehow overlooked the 5021's.
My $.02