On the motive power front, 5377 is back from the dead. After being retired at Hinkle, OR, in December, Union Pacific miraculously brought it back from retirement in January. No one is quite sure of the reasoning behind this odd turn of events. However, it appears that in late January 2003, it really is running and has made its way into West Colton, CA, today. However, 5401 is not doing as well, and is sitting in the dead line awaiting retirement at North Platte, NE. Kevin Morgan has posted a photo of it on his website from his recent trip to Nebraska. Also, DRGW 5356 was patched (I think) at North Little Rock, AR, to UP 8614 on 15-Jan-2003. If anyone actually spots it, confirmation would be appreciated - Locotrace has been updated to make it easy to find.

In operational news, Paul Z. reported to the DRGW list that Amtrak 6, the eastbound Zephyr, suffered a minor derailment at West Crescent, CO, on 1-Feb-2003. Apparently sleeper AMTK 32002 had a wheelset pick the switch points at around 1815h, causing a delay and ripping up about 80 feet of track. All said, a very minor incident and the train was apparently underway after only a few hours of delay (and setting out the sleeper).

In Cumbres & Toltec news, the Commission has chosen the RGRPC (the operating corp associated with the Friends) as their choice of operators for the 2003 season. However, the rumor mill says that the negotiating process isn't going well - almost certainly sticking around fire shutdown contingencies and track maintenance. With the RGRPC supposedly deeply in debt (and bankrupt) from last season, this could spell trouble for the 2003 season. Shop work, however, is proceeding nicely. 484 is currently getting a running gear overhaul and the new FRA Part 230 work, and should be done by Spring 2003. 487 doesn't need Part 230 until next winter, and after some boiler and running gear work should be out of the shops by May for the start of the season. All of this depends on the money holding up until the start of the season - right now, the money runs out this month (Feb 2003). 488 might be out later in the season (June-July), but needs more work (running gear & Part 230) before running again. 463, 489, and 497 are lower priority and need even more work, and most likely will not run again until 2004. By what I understand, 483 and 492 may be considered instead of 489 and 497 if they're in better overall shape next winter. (All per Jay Wimer from those devoted shop guys - thanks to you all for your efforts.) For those interested in all of what FRA Part 230 requires, you can read it here.

Contrary to popular belief, I'm still alive, and I'm hoping to get two new trip reports up soon. One will be this Thursday's Canon City local and the Colorado Springs local from several weeks back if all goes well, and the other will cover what's left of the east side of Rollins Pass. For those wondering what I've been up to lately (besides work, which has been rather hectic), take a look here - a fully modular model railroad CTC system.