People continue to ask me about plans for CA&E 321. The main issue right now is hoping that another carbarn can be built soon so that the 321 can go back inside. There it can be a reasonably good static display again, but we have no plans to restore it in the foreseeable future. There are too many other projects that are much closer to completion. The 321 has serious structural defects and would take too much effort to restore, I'm afraid.
Me: Well, OK, if you insist. I suppose I could. Is this mike on? (Pause)
I’m sorry, but it’s just so… so over between me and the 321. Our relationship is just dead, and it’s been that way now for more than two years. Basically we’ve just been staying together for the sake of the kids. It’s, it’s just one of those high-maintenance relationships, you know? Sure, we had some good times together and some bad times, we have a lot of shared memories – who could forget that time we set the rotten window sill on fire during the trolley pageant? – but the chemistry is no longer there, and it isn’t coming back. And ever since the 319 came into my life, there’s just no hope. (Pause) Maybe… maybe some other man will come along who can provide the love and attention that are needed, but it won’t be me. (sniff) I’m sorry, that’s… that’s just the way it is. (Sobs softly) (Applause)
I have an idea/suggestion for CA&E 321, if and when it goes into a barn. If it is restored to Display, could it be opened up as an interactive exhibit, somewhat like ATSF 92 was. Let people sit in the car or on a stool in the cab. Show them what it is like to be a motorman. Let em manipulate the controller/reverser/brake. I think that'd be a neat interactive display.
ReplyDeleteWe suspected your love of 321 has faded, and now we know. It must be all that stripping in her past.
ReplyDeleteI personally think the 321 should be saved and of course that means going back into a barn. Likely that will be something to the north of $10,000 in cost and maybe be another 3-5 years to get funds totally on hand for another building to be built.
ReplyDeleteSo, with all this handwringing and sobbing do you think it will be possible to get those funds for a car destined for static display only? We have a lot of other equipment potentially restorable to operating condition, and there is no steady influx of funds to even start some of those jobs.
20 or more years ago we did almost everything on a shoestring, by hand tools. That meant some jobs could not be tackled and some took a long time and perhaps not so thorough. But as the membership ages and there are not a LOT of younger people to learn the skills, we must face the issue of having to hire more work. That still means our direct involvement to direct and manage the jobs, specify the tasks, etc. Even that can be daunting, but will surely cost order of magnitudes more money.
Bob Kutella