Now hold the bus here guys!

The conversion of 9615 has NOTHINGto do with the Friends! You have read where Mark, (and I can assure you many others including myself) are less than thrilled about the metal ribs being cut off. If you look at the 10-4 issue of the Dispatch, you will see the Friends had a special work session back in 1997 cleaning and replacing the wood on that car for Kyle to use.

The problem, (as I see it), is that the operator has control of the 'revenue equipment' and the Friends are the custodians of the rest. Unfortunately, the 9613 and 15 fall in the revenue side as they have been used on daily trains since the days of Scenic. (I believe). The Friends can only advise as all of the equipment belongs to the states.

I applaud the work of the operator in making incredible strides in making the ride more appealing to the masses. The new cars and upgrades will help in putting butts in the seats I am sure. I wish the operator had considered the option of putting nailers on the outside to attach the new siding they are planning to match the other cars. I am sure that the bulging out of the sides were one of the reasons that management decided to replace steel.

While I just a member and not in any decision making position, I can assure you guys there are ALOT of back-channels, and telephone calls going on trying to see if there is a solution to meeting the needs of the railroad without modifying historic equipment.