Yes, Fritz,
I am aware that your projects have been the recipients of major funding from the CHS as have several other deserving projects within the State of Colorado. I was unaware of the "Restoration" of the State Capitol. We did this a couple of years ago in Wyoming and the mandatory code upgrades also gobbled up a lot of the funding, as they did in the rebuilding and "Upgrading" of our Supreme Court building.
I just wonder how much more money would have been available had all of this debacle in Georgetown been avoided and had the 9 been sent to either Strasburg, PA or another well equipped shop and had more than a patchwork repair done to it.
I have heard from others that Marlin Uhrich was told by the CHS to "Get the 9 running" and that he warned them that the locomotive was not suitable for daily use. A warning that went unheeded. Once again, that is heresay as I was not there.
You are correct on the Gambling funding and I wonder how far the revenues from this source have dropped because of the current economic climate.
Personally, I do not gamble at a casino. I own a couple of small businesses, which is one of the biggest gambles that any individual can make.
The big problem is not only accountability but responsibility as well. The CHS removes itself just far enough (hire a concessionaire) to have a contracted whipping boy.
I agree with the statement that the CHS lied to RailStar. It began long before Railstar arrived and continues to this day. So all of you folks who have visions of running a railroad, beware of the CHS and Narrow Gauge Railroads, unless you own it or the money is an outright grant.
It is sad to see the depths to which a once respected organization like the CHS has sunk.
Rick
