Bill,
You might feel differently if you were paying 20K a year for insurance, had completion bonds, contractual obligations and a list of other items that would fill the forum. By the way Strasburg doesn't do it because there is no money being paid for it to be done. Can't say as I disagree. But I could ask Linn when I see him Monday.
I have always been wary of those that start with I am a (fill in the blank) because they are generally trying to prove they are somehow superior to the individual they are addressing.
Good luck with your boxcar. Me personally I will concentrate on doing anything outside of the contact that won't cost me to much out of pocket that will help preserve the #278 a little longer while sitting out on the bridge. When she is reduced to rust we can already build another one from the drawings that exist. But then it won't be the same will it?
John