One of the benefits of the arrangements between the Freinds of the C&TS and the states' equipment is that they are allowed to volunteer and pub many man-hours into the equipment preservation, something that the Friends of the EBT have been having a hard time doing (in that foreign land of Pennsylvania). I have seen many quality restorations done at many museums, but I have seen the same restorations undone by sun, rain, ice, and vandals. The Ohio Railway Museum is unfortunately a traction museum example, perhaps the Sundown and Southern is a narrow guage example. You must always remember that time and nature do not stand still, as personal memories and photographs do. To not spend the money in the near-term to protect equipment from the weather will require spending more money and labor in the future to stop the process of objects of desire turning to dust. Build a building now makes huge sense, but how is a good question. A side benefit to the C&TS is the freeing up of blocked yards and opening space for new aquisitions.
O. A.