Stuhr

Hello from Stuhr.
Yes, I'm the one with the target on my back. There is a considerable amount that I would like to comment on but the facts in such a dicussion tend to be thrown out by emotion. When 69 was removed from service in 1990 is was done because the running gear was shot. What they didn't know was that it was suffering from a boiler repair concieved and repaired by stationary standards in addition to some repairs that no documentation exists. If the boiler had run much longer it would have made a mess sooner than others did.
As far as the F&CC coaches are concerned, the 65 was purchached from the Nebraska Midlands in NP. the 63? and the 66 where purchaced seperatly around 1980. From descriptions by the staff, the 63 was in much worse condition than the combineand was burned in 1989. the third body is that of the 66 and still exists on a local farm. 65 has a TEA 21 grant the totals $324K. The remaining equipment will be stabilized and restored as funding permits. The equipment that will be dismantled and salvaged for parts were heavily parted to keep the train running to where little more than the trucks remain.
It's not just the locomotive. The entire railroad needs major repair: the track and bridges, the rolling stock, not to mention that the railroad never had service facilities.
As far as the economics. the railroad was never able to pay it's bills. When the fares were adjusted for increased costs, people stopped riding. The rest of the museum programs were Many people comment that they miss the whistle and the sight of the train along the highway, but when asked if they rode, respond that they never had the time or it cost to much... Sounds familiar???
The board is addressing the issue of the train on the same grounds as any other part of the museum programming. The train is only one piece of the picture. We are a living history museum not a railroad museum. Not to open a bigger can of worms but how many museums are out there that have run steam for years and don't?
And how many out there would like to see a locomotive or car returned to it's real home but would be willing to let it go. So much RR history has been spread to the four winds.
I will now stop throwing the stones back. I wish you all the best luck in your projects and ask for the same. When we have dealt with the skeletons in the closesit we will begin to reassemble this RR.
Paul D.