It must be a strange existence, not unlike that of celebrities or professional atheletes, working for a tourist railroad or a railroad museum. We are a passionate lot. Stakeholders we are, watching powerless from the sidelines, rightly concerned with the fate of historic equipment and irreplaceable heritage. It is only fitting in the finest railroad tradition for speculation to ensue at the drop of a clue.
After all, railroad beaneries and yard offices are filled with rumor and analysis. Some might say that the railroad runs on coal or diesel fuel. I can say quite confidently that it runs on coffee and gossip. There are three ways to broadcast information: telephone, television, and tell a railroader. In this age of the interweb, railfans are no different, and in the interest of prototype fidelity, that is as it should be.
Suffice it to say though, as has only recently been said, that when there's something to report, the parties will certainly let us know. Perhaps it's too early. Dare I suggest that this phenomenon might even sour the deal. As a sage old head of the section once to me opined: "we shall see what transpires." Of all railroaders the gandies are perhaps the most patient.
So pull up a spike keg, brew a fresh pot, and let's sit back and see how things unfold. No sense getting worked up when all we can do is wait. No doubt we have two resourceful and creative organizations thinking outside the box to keep steam alive and well so that it can fascinate yet another generation. Let's see what they come up with.
$.02,
-Jeff