Oil-fired steam engines don’t emit hot cinders that can cause fires. Locals and tourists alike are drawn to our steam locomotive trains. But only steam locomotive mechanics can tell if a loco is fired with coal or oil. Almost nobody can tell the difference. Conversion of our locos from coal to oil would be a great solution to keep our steam locos running with no fire danger. Or perhaps there is some way to continue to run on coal at times, and better arrest the hot coal cinders emitted from the smoke stack.
Nobody should be calling for the elimination of our train. Tourists and locals alike want a steam train, which an oil-fired steam train would give them.
Richard H. Ruth
Durango