Re: A RANT - Polar Express & The yard

Hey Rog,

I agree 100%.

These are trying times and if the CATS is to survive and prosper, some thinking "outside the box" is needed.

I'll be honest, the railfan and history buff in me cringed more than a bit when Mr Halper proposed building the "North Pole" out there at Lava. We were working Lava this past summer on the mile markers so the vision is fresh. After the initial cringe I tried to look at it from a revenue stand point ...and with the idea the railroad will operate, at least partially, year round ...something I don't think has ever happened (outside of the rotary plow ops) ...it seems like a good idea.

We need to start bringing younger people into the fold and what better way to influence a young kid's imagination and spark his/her interest in railroading than with something like this. Who knows, we may be seeing some potential future Friends members.

Now, based on how untouched (meaning not shot up) the mile markers were, and how long it took us to get out there in the truck, I'd say Lava is a pretty safe place to put up some sets and not have them look like swiss cheese in short order.

Mike Mahoney