The Challenge

Okay, you guys have set yourselves up to be challenged to get off your butts and do something about this historical accuracy thing. Everything said here is true, including every year that passes, we loose more of the historical knowledge of what made narrow gauge so special.

The generation of railfans that is growing up now would just as soon see a AC diesel go by as they would a K36. How are we going to keep the C&TS from painting the engines red and yellow in 25 years ?

Some of you have a made tremendous contributions in the past for the preservation these railroads. I am thankful for that. But you know what, if you do nothing more than sit here and whine about all the things everybody else is doing wrong, your comments don't do anything for me, and nothing will improve.

Some of you have a problem with the "Friends" organization and leadership. I personally think you've been unfair or more specifically, ignorant towards the problems they have in trying to satisfy everybody. At the current time, I see no way that is more productive in accomplishing your goals than to work in the existing framework. None of us will see any improvement if we can't work together. Where were you guys when I needed help restoring 0579 ?

If I was the president of a maritime museum and I started getting a bunch of emails from people who claimed they wanted to help set restoration standards, I'd be a little skeptical. Your talk is cheap. You are going to need to show some commitment. Otherwise, you are just going to get the respect of a bunch of drunks hanging out in a neighborhood bar.

So what are you going to do about it ?

Bill Kepner