Ed "Oilcan" Kelley Wrote:
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> I too would roll with the endowment train of
> thought (no pun intended), but specifically one
> which would be devoted exclusively devoted towards
> the maintenance of existing infrastructure and
> assets -- aka, not a cent towards new
> acquisitions/ground-up rebuilds. A "rainy day"
> fund, if you will.
>
> Sure, that old rust bucket on display in the
> parking lot could be a real runner, but wouldn't
> you rather know there was a nice pile of money
> waiting around for when Podunk Railroad Museum's
> Trusty No. 9 goes down for a Form 4? And a few
> more bundles to spruce up the facilities you'll be
> doing the work in? I don't know about you, but
> that to me sire beats the threat of having to park
> ol' No. 9 because you spent all your money putting
> No. 10 back in service and there's barely enough
> left to keep the Culligan filled.
>
> The preservation community is overburdened to
> begin with: unless there's explicit demand, why
> place more equipment into operation when we
> struggle to keep up with what already is? Not
> every teakettle has to steam, and I'd rather see
> my money go towards keeping what already runs
> running and whatever sits in suspended decay.
> Roaring Camp, Black Hills or any other steam
> railroad trying to turn a profit would break the
> bank if their expenditures mirrored those of most
> volunteer outfits. Keep what you've got
> well-dressed instead of dressing up a new victim
> with nowhere to go.
Ed, you have a good point. I just dedicated my money to 819 because she's a beautiful locomotive, my favorite, and even just to see her pulled out under steam would be great!
As for 492, the C&T would use her and she would be the ONLY K-37 IN OPERATION. They have the money to keep the locos operational at least most of them, and I included $100,000 to cover maintenance cost for awhile, but maybe I should put it into one of those trust and only allow them $5-10 grand a year, that would give them additional funding for 10-20 years. I do not know how much money it cost yearly to keep one loco in operation, at least when their are 6 locos in the pool.
Okay, I'm done blabbing.