NNG: Larry Salone & the Altoona Railroaders Museum/Horseshoe Curve Site [More IRS Form 990 Info]

In light of the responses to the NGDF Larry Salone and the East Broad Top Preservation Association (attention South Park!) thread, I thought I would highlight the year 2011 IRS Form 990 for the "Railroaders Heritage Corporation". The form 990s for 2009, 2010, and 2011 are available for free download (after registration) at Guidestar.

The Railroaders Heritage Corporation owns the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum and also operates the Horseshoe Curve site under contract.

Some interesting details from their year 2011 form 990:

(1) In 2011, Mr. Salone, the museum's executive director, was paid $41,016 for a 40-hour a week job.

(2) Also in 2011, Railroaders Heritage Corporation paid $98,000 to SMG LLC. According to the 990 "SMG, LLC Provides Management Support and Services to the Organization as Approved by the Board of Directors".

SMG LLC is based in Dubois, the Pennsylvania town where Mr. Salone's EBTPA has requested donations be sent to. The form 900 also says that "The organization's executive director has an interest in this entity." If that's not enough to connect the dots for you, then note that the May 15, 2008 Altoona Mirror article says "[Larry Salone's] Salone Management Group has had a contract to operate the museum since October."

(3) The Form 990 also indicates that that Railroaders Heritage Corporation "has an accounts payable outstanding to" an entity called PA Southern Railcar, which the Executive Director (Mr. Salone) has an interest in. In 2010, RHC paid $97,875 to PA Southern Railcar. The amount paid in 2011 is unclear - the space for the amount was left blank.

(4) In 2011, the Heritage Corporation's employed three of the Director of Administration's Children and two of the Executive Director's (Mr. Salone's) children During the Fiscal Year.

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Chris Webster