First off, Has anybody asked the Kovalchick's if the rumor of their not wanting to operate the Railroad is true?
Second, Has anybody approached the State of Pennsylvania to see if money to purchase the line for the State is available?
If the State, as Kelly said, is opposed to funding the purchase for State ownership, has anybody approached the National Park Service with the same idea using Federal funds? The sequester won't last forever.
Lastly, has anybody approached the State of Pennsylvania for financing the purchase? This loan would necessarily contain a reversion clause if the loan is not repaid with interest, after a certain period of time. I'm not advocating that the State get into the Banking Business, but it would keep the line intact if obligations are not met and would become a Public Entity rather than reverting to a Bank, which would surely scrap the line if financial obligations were not met.
Since I live in Wyoming (and not the Wyoming Valley of PA), I obviously have no influence on how things go out there, but it seems that keeping the EBT intact would provide employment in the Mount Union and Orbisonia area. Since both cities are quite far off the beaten path, it would be a point in favor of State financing/funding.
Another side benefit to the State of Pennsylvania would be the work overflow going to Strassburg for Boiler, Wheel and Running Gear work that can't be done in the old EBT shops.
As far as trips go, if the line was rehabilitated, the all day trip from one end to another could be instituted as well as keeping the short trips, the line could be marketed to the serious as well as the occasional tourists.
On a not so upbeat note, someone should tell this Larry Salone to get his tail end in gear and have created/create a website for his organization to save the EBT, or to coordinate with Lee Rainey and the FEBT to save a landmark that they both believe in. Two horses pulling in the same direction will move a lot more than one pulling and one not knowing where to go. In this day of digital mischief, an appeal for funds with a professional looking website looks much more legitimate than a Post Office Box and a Phone Number bandied about. There are too many scams out there that use e-mail and the like exclusively, and most people are very gunshy of something without a digital "home". People expect Mission Statements (gag) and all of the rest of that nonsensical boilerplate so that they can "Research" the subject before donating their hard earned sheckels.
Just trying to be positive with my $.50/1.00 worth.
Rick
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2013 10:22AM by Rick Steele.
